outstanding review as always.

Wonderful review!  Love it!

Thanks guys!

Many years ago, Stax SR202 was my first introduction to planar phones... No, it's not the details... At that time, I heard HD600 driven by Woo Audio amp (forgot the model) sounded more detailed than SR202... But I never heard dynamics phones sounded this "effortless" as this old, humble planar phones... Later on when I had my first planer, HE5LE, it give me a taste of that feeling too though not as effortless as the STAX ...  So I'm still dreaming to have a STAX system one day...
 
Your review only remind me to that dream, Bram... excellent review as usual... 
 
... one day....
... one day..., I'll have a STAX system...

@dw1narso the SRS-3100 is not a detail oriented system either. But when paired with detailed sounding sources, the pair sounds realistically musical, with very good detail but presented naturally, not in analytical way. There is some effortless characteristic I could hear from SRS-3100, but mostly when playing acoustic recordings like classical or audiophile track. Not for bass heavy tracks. Different kind of effortless character, maybe more towards transparency.

Hello @earfonia! great review as always!
i personally recommend to try cheap old used stax tube amps. they sound really yummy. 

Great review @earfonia

@Pokemonn will take note of that, thanks!
@sidrpm thanks!

Great review! I do think we have similar taste. I read your R70x review which got perfect score and then the following week i tried it and bought them immediately. Do you think these are good upgrade from R70x? How do you compare it with R70x? it's really interesting knowing that these electrostatics have the same signature as R70x.

@GrilledSalmon Value wise R70x still better IMHO. They do share some similarities in sonic signatures, and yes you might like the STAX as well. I do feel the STAX sounds a bit more refined, smoother, more transparent and open sounding. But build quality wise, especially the comfort, I prefer R70x.

If they didnt look like toasters I would consider these. Sorry but the look of them just kills it for me.

Best headphones I've had before I sold them, they sound too real for me.

@earfonia Thanks for your reply! some say that electrostatics can handle fast paced music, is it true? I find my R70x can't keep fast songs and lose the separation even though it is still good for me. And personally, I like the vintage looks of these headphones and their unique looks (because they are square lol)

@GrilledSalmon, I don't have much experience with electrostatic headphones, but the SRM-3100 is faster than R70x, more realistic and transparent, but not for fast bass punch. So for large dynamic like bass slam, SRM-3100 is not better than R70x, but for micro dynamic, like strings pizzicato, SRM-3100 is quite fast, better than R70x. Overall separation for orchestral music is better than R70x. Hopefully that helps.

Thanks for the review, it was an enjoyable read. I beg to differ on the build quality though. I think Stax generally follows a path of form following function. I have eight sets of Stax phones from current to models that go back to the late 70's. One thing most of them share is a light weight build quality with plastic used extensively. They may not look rugged but I have not had one issue on any of the models I have and none have even needed servicing. That is amazing considering how old some of them are. The light weight helps them to be more comfortable. I did replace ear pads on two of the old ones. By me they have an amazing and enviable reliability record.