electrostatic headphones

3 Best Electrostatic Headphone 2020

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3 Best Electrostatic Headphone 2020

If you’re looking to spend money on buying a headphone that will give you sound clarity like no other, then you need a pair of electrostatic headphones. These headphones use an advanced technology principle in the ear cups through which they produce transparent and incredible sound output and are mostly better than conventional headphones.

That is why in today’s post we’ll be looking at some of the best electrostatic headphones you can get right now, while informing you on the good and the bad. You will notice that most of these headphones have a thin diaphragm which is one of the reasons why electrostatic headphones are able to produce rich, natural and dynamic audio.

But more on that down below, let’s get started with a list of the best electrostatic headphones:

1. Stax SR-009

Stax is a Japanese company that deals in electrostatic headphones – it is their niche and one they’ve conquered. After years of research and extensive experience in the field of electrostatic headphones, the SR-009 was born. It is by far their most successful and popular headphone that doesn’t come cheap. If you’re seriously looking into buying the best electrostatic headphones then be ready to drop some serious cash.

Stax SR-009

The SR-009 comes with an over the ear design with the ear cups made of aluminum, that gives it a strong and durable feel. Despite looking pretty bulky, they actually are quite lightweight and wearable for long sessions. The cable is not detachable and has a standard 5 pin XLR connector.

In order to fully enjoy the sound experience, you need to connect your electrostatic headphones to an amplifier, and not a cheap one. Once you’ve figured that out then be prepared for one of the most exhilarating and transparent sound experience where the bass, high and low frequencies, and mid range sounds incredibly accurate.

When you’re paying so much for the SR-009 headphones it is reassuring to know that they sound just as deluxe as the price, but the design could use a little more attention.

Pros:

  • Good bass response
  • Durable build
  • Lightweight
  • Most lifelike sounding headphones
  • Warranty available
  • The cable is tangle free and flat

Cons:

  • Headband is made of plastic
  • Too high of an asking price
  • Needs a high quality electrostatic amp.

2. Koss ESP-950 Electrostatic Headphone

Not everyone can afford the Stax SR-009 headphones or have that sort of money to burn, but that doesn’t mean that all of the best electrostatic headphones have to come at huge cost. The Koss ESP-950 is a slightly affordable alternative and comes with a battery pack.

Koss ESP-950

The headphones feature an over the ear design which is comfortable for long audio production sessions and gives you the signature “electrostatic” sound experience. It also has a transducer design which allows for minimum distortion and enhances the sound quality. Since it is light weight, you can easily bob your head around to bass music with the extra padded ear cups.

The ESP-950 also has a high sound threshold of 98 decibels and can operate in the sound frequency range between 8Hz to 35KHz. The headphones come with an included energizer and has two inputs for Aux: 3.5mm and RCA, but the energizer doesn’t look like a good high end equipment.

Overall, the sound quality is exactly what you can expect from a pair of electrostatic headphones, and while these deliver on all accounts, the battery pack could do better than just giving 2-3 hours of battery life, and the design and the soundstage need refinement.

Pros:

  • Sound pressure level of 98 decibels
  • Consistent replication of all sound frequencies
  • Comes with a leather case
  • Includes a battery pack
  • Also comes with an energizer
  • Warranty included with the headphones

Cons:

  • The build feels cheap
  • The asking price is still high.
  • Soundstage could use improvement and is can feel airy at some points.

3. Mitchell and Johnson MJ2

By far the most affordable and portable electrostatic headphone is the MJ2, that may not be the best electrostatic headphones sound wise, but are pretty awesome in other aspects. These headphones are hybrid as they include two drivers in each earcup: one for the bass and one for electrostatic working. This way you get the best sounding experience with the bass not overshadowed, at a relatively cheaperMJ2 price.

It also helps that the MJ2 are by far the most well designed headphones that look of premium quality and don’t include a single plastic component. The earcups are made of wood and have their branding carved in, while aluminium yokes connect them to the headband. Similarly, the headband is made of metal alloy, while being completely padded and with a pleather finish.

But we should mention that these headphones are heavy due to the two drivers included in the ear cup. The cable is detachable and you don’t need external amplification, plus the cable has a standard 3.5mm jack so it can be connected to your phone or any other device.

When it comes to the audio quality; the bass is elevated but not over amplified or boomy, it is well defined and thick, whereas the midrange and treble production are very accurate and detailed. The soundstage is wide for a pair of closed back headphones, however it doesn’t compete well with the Stax SR-009, but it does perform well for a decently priced headphone.

Bottom line: if you’re looking for the best electrostatic headphones that don’t cost a fortune but still perform decently and give you the experience of amazing audio reproduction? Then the MJ2 is your answer.

Pros:

  • Durable build and premium finish
  • Most affordable electrostatic headphone
  • Doesn’t need external amplification
  • Has two drivers for a better sound quality
  • Sonic profile is well balanced
  • Has a standard 3.5 mm jack
  • Portable

Cons:

·         No inline functions on the cable

·         The earcups can get overheated

·         They can seem heavy for a few listeners

And there you have 3 of the best electrostatic headphones out there that you can buy in 2020.

Although, headphones with this technology are pretty expensive to come by, we’ve tried to include affordable options as not everyone can go drop thousands on a pair of headphones. That said, if you’re a true audiophile, it may be a nice time saving for one or wait for the sales to arrive.

In the meanwhile, enjoy our previous list where we talk about the best headphones for traveling, click here to find out.