The $6,910 "best" headphone sound system: how can you afford your audiophile lifestyle?

CNET has some choice words for the $4,500 Woo Audio WES amplifier and the $2,410 Stax SR-007Mk2 headphone combo -- namely, it's the world's best headphone sound money can buy. Far be it for us to argue, but given the steep cost of entry, we'll also be hard pressed to find out for ourselves. Needless to say, only the purest of audiophiles need apply -- we'll be sticking to working out our mixtapes with aurally subpar three-figure ear pieces, thank you very much.

[Superstition @ Jul 15th 2009 1:04AM]

I've dabbled in expensive headphones before (well, expensive to me... around the $300 range) and always end up with a $15 pair of behind the head earphones.

[Adderz @ Jul 15th 2009 1:15AM]

Yep its two figure over the ear headphones for me, ive probably destroyed my hearing from playing too much loud music to hear the difference anyway.

[sacapuntas @ Jul 15th 2009 1:21AM]

How are igrado's ?

I am looking at buying them for my portable player (samsung P2). Any input would be great.

[valisol @ Jul 15th 2009 1:43AM]

@sacapuntas

iGrado's are pretty good, my only complaint about my pair is that the wiring's insulation stretches somewhat, which eventually lead to testing. Maybe I just didn't treat them very well, but I never went out of my way to pull on 'em... The sound is great, and my iriver lplayer was able to power them well. Again, my only complaint lies with the wiring.

Also, as they are open-ear headphones, people around you will probably hear sound coming from 'em.

[valisol @ Jul 15th 2009 1:48AM]

@sacapuntas again

Sorry for the double post, but I scrolled down and read more comments... Thinking back (I haven't sent my iGrado's in for repair yet), I would say that iGrado's would probably be best for laptops, portable DVD player, and other things on a similar scale. I think using them for mp3 players might stress the wiring too much, and if you plan on using headphones for a desktop, TV, etc, Grado SR-60's (they seem sturdier) might be a better choice if you wanna go with Grado headphones.

[Tim @ Jul 15th 2009 1:48AM]

@ sacapuntos I've used most of Grado's lineup, and own a few sets of my own. the iGrados sound fine, but Its worth it to step up to the sr-60s. As with any audiophile setup, you'll be chasing diminishing returns as you pay more, but you won't get more bang for your buck than with Grados.

[sacapuntas @ Jul 15th 2009 2:07AM]

Thanks for the input! I was looking at doing the quarter mod on the igrados if I got them. I was afraid that the SR-60's will be too bulky for portable use, I was also worried that they could not be appropriately powered. I will research it a little bit more.

I know that grado offers the best headphones in my price range, I am just trying to find the BEST for my portable player.

[BananaBoat @ Jul 15th 2009 3:45AM]

I'm not in the 7 thousand dollar snob range, but I own a few pairs of "audiophile" headphones, as well as other audiophile equipment. There is no disputing that high end headphones are much, much more capable of high fidelity audio (A goes in, A goes out) than any pair of 15 dollar headphones. They are also capable of sound stage (spatial separation of instruments, vocalists, etc, and their location relative to each other) that cheap headphones can't touch, and that comes closer to real speakers than anything else. What I've found to be true though, is that most people simply won't notice the difference between high fidelity (audiophile) headphones, and non-audiophile headphones, which makes explaining the audiophile market difficult, especially when you are explaining it to non-audiophiles. Go to head-fi, and read the hundreds of posts made by people desperately trying to figure out why their brand new 300 dollar headphones sound worse than their old junky headphones, and the posts made by audiophiles trying to explain that audiophile headphones often need separate amplification from a headphone amplifier before the headphones will sound their best. Just like how you shouldn't use composite cables on a 1080p TV, you shouldn't plug 300 dollar audiophile headphones into the headphone jack on your computer (this fact alone is what often kills the hopes, dreams, and motivation of aspiring audiophiles. The realization that they need a 200+ dollar amplifier to drive their brand new 300 dollar headphones is far too much for them to bear)

As for the 7000 dollar price on these, Woo Audio has always priced their equipment out of the reach of normal people, and this is no exception. Their profit margins are high, but they have to be since the market is so small for this type of thing. This 7000 dollar bundle might sound 5% better than a setup costing $1000. In turn, a 1000 dollar setup might sound 5% better than a 500 dollar setup. At the high end of the market, you are spending a fortune for every tiny increase in performance that you'll get out of your audio equipment. My entire setup cost approximately $1000 including headphones, DAC, and headphone amplifier (using my computer as a source). I've heard setups that cost thousands more than mine, and they didn't sound very much better (if at all) than my setup.

I guess if there is a point to my ramblings, it would be that you can get an incredible music listening experience for not a lot of money, and it will beat the pants off of any 15 dollar headphones you may have around the house.

[BananaBoat @ Jul 15th 2009 4:00AM]

@sacapuntas - I meant to mention that the SR-60's can easily be powered by a portable player.


I've yet to find a pair of headphones in the sub 200-300 dollar range that simply couldn't be driven by portable players. It's only when you get into the high dollar range that you run into high ohm (100-300 and beyond, compared to 32 or less on most cheaper headphones) or low sensitivity headphones (like my beloved K701's that are low ohm, but still are in desperate need of an amp due to their low sensitivity) that really need a headphone amplifier.

At the low end, all an amp will do is raise the volume, which does nothing for the quality of the audio. An amp, combined with headphones that don't need an amp, could also lead to blown headphones which won't work any more (I've seen it happen before).

For further research, I suggest head-fi.org, or headphone.com. head-fi for reviews (and arguments) by (hopefully) unbiased and trustworthy sources, and headphone.com for a one stop look at what headphones are out there, and what they might cost (even though Amazon might have a better price).

[loon @ Jul 15th 2009 7:43AM]

I'm a real audiophile and i like my music pre and crisp and clean. I can honestly say, taking a look at these i'm 99 percent shure that they couldn't hold up to a pair of Shure Earphones. There is just no way. They're built to LOOK good and appear as if they are substantial along with their pricetag, but just like Bang and Olufsen Products, they're junk.

Throw them out the window.

[Homerrlb @ Jul 15th 2009 9:10AM]

Im not going to defend the hi-fi community. I have some expensive speakers, never bothered to fall into the cable game.... but don't dismiss these headphones for a second. Most people have never even heard of the the brand Stax. Most people associate good with what they know. These headphones are on another level. My father has a pair of Stax Kogyo headphones (now just Stax), these electrostatic headphones can easily run with the best or better them, and that's not a knock against other brands.

Then again, that's a great deal of money to cough up....

[myopiczeal @ Jul 15th 2009 11:21AM]

I think it's interesting that this company has named itself after the term skeptics sometimes use for dubious claims with supernatural explanations. Woo, indeed.

[Ishcabible @ Jul 15th 2009 11:54AM]

loon clearly hasn't heard or read about any electrostatic headphones...

[dBs @ Jul 15th 2009 4:29PM]

Wow loon, go on Head-fi and read reviews of electrostats, they are basically the best you can get when it comes to headphones (if you favor their style of sound that is).

[Josh Warner @ Jul 15th 2009 7:11PM]

It isn't just headphones where electrostatic tech offers a fundamentally different but awe-inspiring sound. Floorstanding electrostats exist, though not many are designed to run full-range. Companies such as Martin Logan, Magnepan (technically a slightly different tech but still planar speakers), Soundlab, Innersound, Quad, (now defunct but the stats can still be found) Acoustat, and others make or have made world-class electrostatics for home use.

These headphones are the real thing, loon is completely out of his/her element...

[ddub @ Jul 15th 2009 1:08AM]

if you can afford this you can afford a room dedicated just to your music so you don't need headphones.

[Chuckles McGee @ Jul 15th 2009 1:19AM]

Unless your b*tch of a trophy wife won't stop yabbering away about that dent on the Bentley and the music being too loud.

[Jaws @ Jul 15th 2009 1:59AM]

you sir have not obviously priced out serious speaker / amp setups let alone room acoustic dampening materials... headphones are MUCH more affordable (yes... even at this price point).

[Matt @ Jul 15th 2009 1:09AM]

Ugh... Tubes.

No thank you.

[Steven K @ Jul 15th 2009 1:19AM]

Incase you didn't know almost all high end class A amplification systems use tubes not circuits! I have actually heard a system very similar to this and it is truly outstanding! When you listen to SACD's of classical concerts you really do feel like you were there. I consider myself an audiophile and trust me there is no comparing these to any other system. Also note that they are not really made for music such as rap and hiphop though it will sound outstanding in those areas as well its not what its meant for. Electro static earphones are very expensive but produce amazing sound!

[solarbuddy @ Jul 15th 2009 1:24AM]

Wow--the only way these could be *better* would be to install some Monster cables!

[Ben @ Jul 15th 2009 2:00AM]

@matt

clearly you have no idea about audio amplification.

[b3tan @ Jul 15th 2009 2:45AM]

I've got a beautiful tube amp for my guitar. Nothing can beat the sound that thing puts out. No amount of cheaper circuits and effects pedals could ever recreate that sound. Go educate yourself Matt.

Still though, the pricing for these things is just silly. Production cost is probably what? $200 max?

[SABRAGE @ Jul 15th 2009 5:16AM]

@Betan: Probably not anywhere near the price of the set, but you need to take into account the amount of acoustic engineering that went into perfecting the sound of this equipment.

[CtrlBurn @ Jul 15th 2009 8:04AM]

Have you ever priced boutique guitar amps? Hand wiring and superior components can make these things expensive in a heartbeat, especially since many times superior components for a tube amplifier are not in production anymore.

[10minutehobo @ Jul 15th 2009 11:25AM]

Steven K: " I consider myself an audiophile..."

Then please punch yourself in the face for me.

[Matt @ Jul 15th 2009 5:16PM]

Yes, because tubes in a guitar amp, meant to distort and change the input signal are the same as tubes in a audio amplifier meant to pass signal with minimal distortion. Maybe we should all just start buying guitar amplifiers and using them for playback...

Please. Tubes suck, and I have absolutely no clue why people even consider them in "high end" amplifiers. A good solid state, high damping, simple A or AB amplifier using quality components destroy anything that uses tubes.

Oh well, I guess I need to remember that the same people running tube amps are usually the same people who think 4th order band pass designs are the greatest thing since sliced bread, and enjoy their 3' horns with smiles on their faces, while listening to scratched up vinyl on their $8,000 solid-brass turntable. I just don't understand it. Audiophile indeed...

Meanwhile, I'll continue living in my nice little niche of the audio world with my sealed box, low MMS/ Qts drivers, ribbon tweeters, and nice solid state amplifiers that actually have some control over the cones with minimal distortion, and an unfortunately small SACD and DVD-A collection.

[Paul Corlatan @ Jul 15th 2009 1:11AM]

i can dig it

[kojo87 @ Jul 15th 2009 4:44AM]

i can dig an Audi R8 but i sure as shit ain't gettin one

[ishism @ Jul 15th 2009 1:14AM]

these are perfect for my mp3 collection. I'll take two.

[Adderz @ Jul 15th 2009 1:16AM]

Yep just imagine how great my MP3's ripped at 128kb are going to sound *drools*

[GBeatzRecrds @ Jul 15th 2009 1:29AM]

well, most of mine are in 256kbps or 320kbps. NOT encoded with your daddy's LAME.

[ishism @ Jul 15th 2009 1:53AM]

@Adderz LOL

[Bradford @ Jul 15th 2009 2:55AM]

Once you go flac you don't look back... or something.

[richb93 @ Jul 15th 2009 12:52PM]

GBeatzRecrds

Ha. Seriously? What do you use that is better than LAME then? The WMP MP3 encoder? Hahaaha

P.S: If you're serious about audio you'd know that FLAC is where its at.

P.P.S: Try AAC or Vorbis if you still insist on lossy audio.

[gerrrg @ Jul 15th 2009 1:16AM]

Eat, pay mortgage and bills, or $7000 for the best headphone experience?

If I made $100K a year, sure, why not? Unfortunately for me, greed is not my forte.

[djpurpose @ Jul 15th 2009 3:58AM]

I think one would need to make way more than that to buy something like this. I can tell you from experience, 100k isn't much these days. And if you are smart enough to make 6 figures in business then you are probably smart enough to save and invest the money unless you want to work for the rest of your life.

Cowon S9 and Sony V700 headphones for me. Although even though the S9 has better sound than all the other mp3 players a headphone amp makes a difference with big headphones.

[devwild @ Jul 15th 2009 8:52AM]

@djpurpose: not really, it's just a question of priorities. I've spent a fair amount on audio gear myself over the years (not *that* much, but not that far off total between three full setups), I make less income, and with just some lose budgeting, it still hasn't really impacted my savings (pretty much ready with a down payment on a house). When I increased my spending on audio gear, I decreased my spending on computers, sold a bunch of old stuff, and kept tabs on what I really had to spend then picked what I felt was the best bang for the buck (which most people would still find excessive). It also really helps to get more involved in the audio community, go to local meetups, and buy things used, because you can get great deals, even for the top end gear. I bought a lower end Stax setup a few years back for less than half it's retail value, barely used (~$600) - suddenly making it a lot more practical. Oh, and it sounds amazing :)

[googleadam @ Jul 15th 2009 11:23AM]

but that is *points to Kia Forte*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbtboWLD64w (commercial for Kia Forte)

[andrew autopsy @ Jul 15th 2009 1:16AM]

Audiophile headphones are sweet. I own a pair of Sennheiser 650s, and for my portable stack, I have a pair Audio Technica ES7's. They're both ridiculously enjoyable to listen to. This stuff is completely justifiable if you really passionately love music. However, 6000$ on a headphone set up is something I'd never do. Thats definitely not even something portable. You might as well just get a sweet bookshelf setup at that point.

[Ishcabible @ Jul 15th 2009 11:57AM]

But what are the chances of the bookshelves sounding as good?

But I agree this is a tad pricey for what it is. And the fact that you can find SR-007s for under $1000 is you're patient isn't really helping the cause.

[Yankees368 @ Jul 15th 2009 1:19AM]

Excellent Cake reference to "How can you afford your rock & roll lifestyle"

[saq @ Jul 15th 2009 2:07AM]

Came here to post this!
Great song, as is nearly everything cake does.

[Rob @ Jul 15th 2009 9:36PM]

Bravo on the Cake reference, I was looking at the comments to see if anyone else picked up on it - "Rock and Roll Lifestyle"

[Dan S. @ Jul 15th 2009 12:43PM]

Excess ain't rebellion.

[DirtyVegas @ Jul 15th 2009 1:19AM]

I use the white earbuds I got with the fruit player. You shameless 3 figure priced headhpone elitists.

[Bryan @ Jul 15th 2009 1:20AM]

DO WANT!

Woo Audio has always made top notch stuff and Stax "earspeakers" are amazing.

[Joe @ Jul 18th 2009 10:33PM]

You know, Stax didn't really impress me with the first set I listened to, but the second pair I heard blew me away! Still, my favorite headphones have to be the Sennheiser HE-60s with custom matching amp, but those are even more extravagantly priced than these. For me, I'll stick with my Sennheiser HD-650s.

[Chris Ziegler @ Jul 15th 2009 1:21AM]

You want *real* sound fidelity? You could almost buy a 6-foot Monster Toslink cable for this kind of coin.

[B3astofthe3ast @ Jul 15th 2009 1:24AM]

Did you discover this in some sort of electronics store, with the cable being fairly compared to other, lesser cables?