Stax SR-Ω
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SR-Ω (SR-Omega) - Overview
The project which gave birth to the SR-Ω was tool for Stax to completely rewrite everything they had done before, basically start from scratch and look at things from a fresh perspective. They designed a new cable for improved signal clarity, worked on improving bass performance with larger drivers and better designed chassis and even tried increasing the bias to 1100v for even more excursion. What they came up with is a marvel of engineering, both flamboyant and down to earth at the same time. The only part of the headphone which was borrowed from older models is the arc assembly and headband, both found on the SR-Sigma Pro and SR-Lambda Signature. The rest was all new with large circular earcups, made out of machined aluminum, a new wider cable (which can be detached from the housing) and new earpads made out of high quality artificial leather. Stax had also designed a new driver to go in the new housing with stators made out of pure copper mesh with a 1.5um diaphragm. The phones were also shipped in a wooden display case which was a first for Stax.
 Stax SR-Ω 1993 Brochure page 1 |
 Stax SR-Ω 1993 Brochure page 2 |
 Stax SR-Ω 1994 Brochure |
More to come later...
General Description of the Sound
Pricing & Other Data of Interest
Introduced in 1993 at a very high price of 180,000 Yen they remained in production until Stax went bankrupt in 1995. Around 300-350+ units were made though the exact number isn't known.
There are two known transducer variations of the SR-Omega and the only difference is the material used to support the copper mesh stators. Initially, the transduceres were introduced with aluminium cartwheel support structure, which basic purpose was to maintain the flatness of the copper mesh stators. Later units used resin cartwheels.
A few later units have been fitted with the aluminium chartwheels, after undergoing service due to the failure of adhesive material used in the support structure. In addition, there were some adhesive problems sustaining the membrane on the suspension ring which led Stax to change the membrane material.
Technical Specifications
Name: SR-Ω Electrostatic large-sized mesh electrode high bias earspeakers
Transducer shape: Round
Electrode type: Pure copper mesh with resin cartwheel supports
Diaphragm thickness (micron): High polymer film, 1.5um
Electrode gap: 0.5 mm (580 V)
Bias Voltage: 580 V
Frequency Response: 6 - 41000 Hz
Electrostatic Capacity: 110pF
Sensitivity: 99dB/100v RMS at 1kHz
Maximum sound pressure level: 120dB at 400Hz
Signal cord: 2.5m 5-pin, 6-core Wide PC-OCC
Weight: 380gr. without cable
Status of SR-Ω parts and repair services
When Stax was resurrected in 1996 production of the SR-Ω was not continued but rather all energy was put into designing the next flagship, the SR-007. Today that means there are no more original spare drivers so if the units fail they will be replaced with SR-007 units. I have two sets of SR-Ω, one stock and one equipped with SR-007 drivers and I like both of them even though the value of the hybrid is much less in the eyes of a collector. I do have some reservations about the conversion carried out by Stax as the drivers are allowed to "leak" out to the outside which makes them much less linear, most notably in the bass. I plugged the gap on my personal set with great improvements but this is something which Stax should have done in the first place.
New earpads are available from Stax in Japan and so are new cables but neither match the original parts. The earpads are black in color and slightly bigger then the originals while the cable is the same light brown color as the SR-007 Mk1, SR-404 and 4070 use.
Back to Stax Earspeakers Overview
