STAX SR-L700MK2 – open electrostatic Earspeaker for revealing listening

The STAX SR-L700MK2 is an open-back electrostatic Earspeaker developed within the long-established Lambda family. Its large oval enclosures, lightweight diaphragm system and circumaural fit are intended for critical listeners who want to explore recordings with clear separation, natural spatial information and finely resolved low-level detail. Rather than being designed as a portable or noise-isolating headphone, the SR-L700MK2 is best used in a quiet home listening room, studio or dedicated desktop system. Its open architecture allows sound to pass through the enclosure, helping to create an expansive presentation while also allowing external noise in and music to leak out. This makes it especially suitable for focused sessions with classical, jazz, vocal, acoustic and well-produced contemporary recordings where ambience, texture and positioning contribute strongly to the listening experience.

At the heart of the SR-L700MK2 is a push-pull electrostatic sound element using a hand-selected thin-film diaphragm derived from technology employed in the SR-009. The fixed electrodes are manufactured through three-layer stainless-steel etching and heat-diffusion processing, forming a structure designed for fast response and balanced reproduction. STAX specifies a frequency response of 7 to 41,000 Hz, sensitivity of 101 dB at 100 V RMS and 1 kHz, and an impedance of 145 kΩ at 10 kHz including the cable. Signal transmission is handled by a 2.5-metre, six-strand parallel cable made with silver-coated 6N high-purity OFC copper. Its wide, low-capacitance layout is specifically configured for driving an electrostatic Earspeaker rather than functioning as a conventional detachable headphone cable.

Long-session comfort is supported by carefully made earpads that use genuine lamb leather on the areas touching the skin and high-quality synthetic leather around the outer sections. The headband assembly incorporates a ten-click height adjustment system, allowing the chosen setting to remain securely in place between listening sessions. The SR-L700MK2 requires a compatible STAX driver unit or electrostatic energizer providing 580 V DC Pro bias, so it cannot be powered directly by a standard headphone socket. Pairing it with a quiet source, transparent DAC and suitably matched driver unit can help preserve the speed and fine detail of the electrostatic design. Keep the Earspeaker away from moisture, excess heat and dust, and clean the pads gently without aggressive products. Consider the STAX SR-L700MK2 when upgrading a dedicated electrostatic headphone system for greater openness, comfort and insight into recordings.