ES-2a Elektrostat

[kds315]

Irgendjemand Erfahrungen mit dem (oder dem Vorgänger ES-1)?
Dieser chinesische KH gebaut von Herrn Wong scheint ja ein nettes
Teil zu sein, irgendwo zwischen 007 und 009 angesiedelt wie man
auf head-fi lesen kann. Kostet um EUR1.800 plus Einfuhr-UST
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/es-labs ... ns.976239/

Hersteller Site: https://www.eslabhk.com/

Specifications:
Transducer Type: Electrostatic
Operating Principle: Open Back
Frequency Response: 10 - 41000 Hz
Sensitivity: 99db / 100v r.m.s.
Housing: Aluminum magnesium alloy
Bias Voltage: DC 580V
Termination: 5-Pin Stax Type Pro Bias
Cable Length: 2.3 m
Weight: 450g (w/o cable)
Temperature / Humidity Range of Use: 0-35 ºC / 0-90%

[Newentry]

Ich hatte gehofft jemand hier aus dem Forum wagt mal das Experiment

[kds315]

Ist mir bissi zu viel nur um damit rumzuspielen...

[Daiyama]

1800 USD ist der early Bird Preis, später sind es wohl 2200 USD.

[alegar]

Ich bin sehr am Kauf des ES-2a interessiert. Wenn also ein Forumsmitglied eines hat, wäre ich für alle Informationen dazu dankbar.

Grüße,

Alejandro.

[kds315]

Ich kenne den ES-2a nur aus dem head-fi Forum, dort haben ein paar Leute den und liben den recht hoch.

[kds315]

Also ich habe mir den doch mal geleistet, nachdem es mit dem CRBN2 nichts geworden ist...

Review aus den Netz (head-fi):

ES-2a Estat KH

Hi Everyone,
Today we are taking a look at the new headphone model from Benson Wong of Hong Kong’s ES-Lab – the ES2a. I was a big fan of his original model, the ES1a, so I was really looking forward to hearing what he has been working on over the past few years. ES-Lab produces some very interesting headphones, and they also offer electrostatic headphone repairs for vintage Stax models etc…which may not be able to be serviced elsewhere. Benson clearly knows a whole ton about electrostatic headphones, their design, how to repair them, so I suppose it was only a natural evolution that he ended up creating his own models.
The ES2a is very similar in design to the ES1a, which itself was modelled after the original Stax Omega headphones from the early 1990s. New to the ES2a is a new colour way, in addition to the all black model, which is even more similar to the Stax Omega. It’s a sort of brown/grey/gold colour, with the same black headband as the all black model. Both are very handsome headphones, in my opinion. Although they look similar, the ES2a has pretty much been entirely reworked in comparison to the original ES1a. The drivers have been refined and polished, using new materials, the build quality has been refined, and the fit has also been improved over the originals. Sound wise, they are a marked improvement over the ES1a, in all areas, and in my opinion are one of the best examples of price to performance currently in the electrostatic headphones space.


Bass
The bass of the ES1a was its weakest area, at least in terms of overall level of amplitude. The ES2a has improved somewhat over the original model, and does have slightly more mid bass than the ES1a, though the sub bass region is still slightly pulled back and less apparent. With that being said, I usually add a low shelf of some sort via EQ to most headphones, and thankfully the ES2a, like its predecessor takes extremely well to a increase of the low end via EQ. The overall quality of the bass, things like speed, and impact are notably improved over the originals. I’m guessing this likely has something to do with the refinements Benson has made to the drivers (and pads/seal) whilst developing the ES1a, as it is a notable improvement. Overall, I did find myself wanting more level from the stock tuning in the low end, but that’s not unusual for my personal preferences, and I was very happy with the overall technical performance in this area.

Midrange
The midrange of the ES2a reminded me of the ES1a quite a lot with some differences. From the low mids up until the 1khz range is actually very slightly less warm than the ES1a, and I would say pretty much neutral. Right around the 1khz area I found it has some slight increase which results a slightly nasal quality, which seems to effect the vast majority of electrostatic headphones. I just reduced this area slightly via EQ and it went away entirely, however, it wasn’t anything close to a deal breaker and I could happily use the ES2a without touching the mid range via EQ. The upper mid range didn’t have any really noticeable recession or harsh peaks, and helped really fill out the attack of the headphones. Vocals were also beautifully presented, particularly female vocals, without becoming raspy, grating, or harsh.

Treble
I was a big fan of the treble of the original ES1a in that it seemed to straddle the difference between the Stax SR009 and SR007. It seemed to me to be a nice hybrid of both of those headphones treble response, in that it was just slightly more than neutral but not bright or dark, and the ES2a has continued that quality. One thing I must mention in this area is that the ES2a comes with a pair of cloth filters which fit inside the pads, which can be removed or kept in place. Their removal mostly affects the trebles presentation, which is why I mention it here. With the filters in place, they seem to slightly reduce a couple of peaks throughout the upper treble region, but overall I preferred the ES2a treble response with the filters removed. The treble response is neither bright, nor dark, but removing the filters slightly tipped it upwards towards my personal preferences. The few peaks that seemed to be reduced by the filters were not increased enough with their removal to become grating or harsh, so for the vast majority of the review period I listened with the filters removed. However, if you are sensitive to treble peaks, or treble in general, I would highly recommend trying out listening with the filters installed, and going with what works for you and your ears best.


Technical Performance
The technical performance of the ES2a is markedly improved over the ES1a. Pretty much every single aspect has been improved. Part of this will be down to the improvements made to the drivers, and part of it will also be down to the new pad design. The ES2a are more detailed, faster, have a bigger overall sonic image with a wider, deeper soundstage, whilst also having better dynamics across the board. The new pads are slightly fluted, thinner, and have more interior ear space, and I think this has been a big part of the improvement to the ES2a. Removing the filters also seemed to slightly increase the size of the overall sonic image, and slightly increased the soundstage. The pads also seal incredibly well, which will be part of what is helping to increase the overall quality of the low end (though not the level.) One thing to note is that with the incredible seal (at least on my head,ears, and head shape) is that you might notice some flexing of the drivers, or “Stax farts” due to changes in air pressure in the ear chamber when the headphones are plugged in and the drivers are charged. This won’t damage the headphones, and is only going to be noticed if you are moving the headphones a lot on your head. Overall the technical performance uplift of the ES2a is impressive compared to the ES1a, and is one of the best price->performance electrostatic headphones on the market today.


Built Quality and Comfort
As I mentioned before, the overall look of the ES2a is very similar to the ES1a, but its build quality has been improved on the whole. It feels more professional and slightly less DIY. The machining is better, all the small details feel better designed and more polished, and the unit feels more solid and sturdy. The comfort of the ES2a is incredibly good. They are not a very heavy headphone, and feel soft and comfortable against your head. The headband adjustments work really well and are easy to use, and the clamp force has been increased in comparison to the ES1a. I always found the ES1a to be too loose in terms of its clamp force, so this is a very welcome change. The slightly snugger fit really helped the headphones feel more secure and comfortable against my head, and I think it also helped provide a really good seal from the ear pads on my ears. The build quality is definitely improved compared to the originals, and feels more premium than the SR009 from Stax, whilst being at a much lower price point. There are two cables available with the ES2a, a round cloth cable which is the stock option, and an upgraded Stax ribbon style cable. According to ES-Lab, there is no sonic change between the cables, it is simply an option for those who would prefer a Stax OEM style cable. I have the stock cloth cable here on the loaner unit, and have no issues with it at all in terms of build quality or use, so for me I would save the money and not opt for the ribbon cable.


Comparisons
Stax SR007: The SR007 is a warmer, more bassy headphone than the ES2a. The detail levels between the SR007 and ES1a were similar, but the ES2a has surpassed the SR007 in all technical areas in my opinion. It is also more comfortable and better built. With that being said, if you like the stock sound signature of the SR007 there isn’t much else like it in the electrostatic space, its still a heck of a headphone and one which I would happily recommend, but the ES2a is the better headphone these days in my opinion.

Stax SR009: The SR009 is slightly brighter than the ES2a, and both have fairly similar levels of detail and technical performance. The ES2a has a slightly better low end response, and feels more premium in terms of build quality. The ES2a has a larger overall sonic image and the notes feel more weighty and substantial. The sound of the SR009 is more ethereal and airy in comparison. As I mentioned before, the ES1a seemed to be a blend of the best of both the SR007 and SR009, and the ES2a has only continued and improved upon that.

Hifiman Shangri-La: Not a fair comparison in terms of MSRP, but in terms of price to performance ratio, the ES2a more than holds its own here. The Shangri-La is more detailed and bigger sounding, but the ES2a still does its best keeping up and you don’t feel like you are massively missing out on anything sonically when the two are compared. The ES2a has better build quality and a much better cable (even with the stock round cloth cable, ) though overall comfort is a toss up between the two.


Conclusion
I’ve really enjoyed my time with the ES-Lab ES2a. I really enjoyed their ES1a, but knew there were areas that could be improved upon if a V2 edition ever happened. Benson has managed to improve the overall build quality and materials, improved the pad design, improved the drivers and increased the fidelity in every area with the ES2a. They not only make me think of a combination of the Stax SR007 and SR009 like the ES1a did, but a combination that also technically outperforms both the aforementioned headphones. At an MSRP of just under $2000USD, there really isn’t anything I can think of currently in the electrostatic headphone space which hits the same price to performance ratio. I’m really looking forward to hopefully having a chance to hear the new Kaldas Olympia, which could be a challenger in this area, but as of this point in time, the ES2a are unmatched in terms of electrostatic price to performance. I love the overall retro look styled after the original Stax Omega, and the new golden brown colour way is very tastefully done. If you are curious about top of the line electrostatic headphones but don’t know where to start, this would be a perfect entry point. The ES2a feels like a very well rounded complete package of a headphone. It doesn’t have any major deficiencies sonically, and has addressed issues that were present in the original ES1a. I would wholeheartedly recommend trying out the ES2a, whether you are a beginner with electrostatic headphones, or a seasoned veteran looking to try something new and interesting.

[Staxi2017]

kannst ihn ja im Kreis schicken lassen wenn er kommt und du begeistert bist - wir schreiben dann auch ein Urteil

[kds315]

Mustt mich echt für bekloppt halten Burkhardt, gell??

[kds315]

Ich bin sehr am Kauf des ES-2a interessiert. Wenn also ein Forumsmitglied eines hat, wäre ich für alle Informationen dazu dankbar.

Grüße,

Alejandro.

Ich werde hier darüber berichten Alejandro!

[Burki]

Mustt mich echt für bekloppt halten Burkhardt, gell??

Ja mei, bist ja nicht der einzige Bekloppte in diesem (und anderen) Forum (habe zuletzt ja auch einen Meze Liric 2 und den Hifiman HE1000 Unveiled gekauft, die ich nicht unabdingbar brauche).
Ohne solche Kunden wäre die Hifi-Industrie wohl aufgeschmissen...

Den ES-2A habe ich aber nicht auf dem Schirm, vorallem da diese Firma ersteinmal zeigen muss, ob sie bestehen kann. Auralic hat ja z.B. völlig überraschend die Tore geschlossen und steht nun für schlappe 2 Mille zum Kauf...