Patrickhat

Relay-switched resistors are a lower noise path than a potmeter's contacts. Typically available in 0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 dB granularity.

No channel imbalance at low volume and a more linear taper than you get with pots. You give up granularity of adjustment, of course.

I am not keen on them for anything. Always just too quiet or just too loud, and never quite right.

(And how is it that Android phones make such a total mess of the volume control?)

Can’t speak to Stax, but the ESP/95X drivers seem quite well protected, more so than some planars I have. I wouldn’t be particularly concerned about them if you put them back in the case when not in use IMO.

Can I please move in with you that sounds lovely :)

Dammit, I was hoping to be find a reason not to try stats.

Maybe it doesn’t matter much, but it’s hard to think that making the sides significantly more closed in wouldn’t have a weird contrast with the completely open center. I assume this is done to hold the larger bass waves longer, but it would trap all frequencies to an extent.

I try not to think about HiFiMan

Diddo, but given the OG Susvara holds the title of the one planar I kinda like I can’t help side eying the sequel.

beware the new, entry-level Stax. I lost interest after enough early reports of poor quality control.

I actually like the new Stax (it has bass for once!) but I wasn't aware of quality control issues. Also I felt the energizer bundle version doesn't do it any favors. I got a vintage energizer SRM-T1 which is much better.

That said, the Koss are a great option too, I used to own them. I also heard the Kaldas Research RR1 Conquest at a Canjam and thought it was good, surprisingly good bass for an e-stat.

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/stax-sr-x1.14569/ although I haven’t given this much of a try. The new Lambdas…I would probably skip the 300 & 500 and go for the L700 mk2 but that will cost more. You might be able to use your Koss energizer(?) with adapter but a cheapish SRM270 is the minimum. Or the SRD if you have speakers.