My first foray into electrostats were a pair of ESP 7s. Outstanding headphones. Those were retired a few years ago, and, after trying many models over a number of years, I finally purchased another pair of Koss electrostats, ESP 95X. Set up was easier than the 7s, and, they do not fade with low volume, as the 7s did. Not nearly as heavy, either. But the sound…wow. I listen to classical music a great deal. And the first CD I dropped into the Revox…direct outs into the Koss…was striking. In its clarity. In its natural tone. No hyped highs. No booming lows, but flat, smooth, DC to Daylight music. Details for days. You can hear the clarinet keys need polishing, the cornet valves need new springs. You can hear the violists choice of rosin. Now, I literally live under headphones. I’ve been an audio producer since the mid 60’s, and I have a dozen headsets, all with very high ratings in performance and comfort. I’ve also been a performing musician. But, the ESPs are ‘phones I can put on, and step away from work, and step into music. Hear instruments. Not just notes that sound like instruments. I can hear instruments. Everyone of them in a 100 piece orchestra. Classical, jazz, acoustic guitar. Even Ozzie and his crew. If you’re looking for a step apart, these are the phones you need to hear.
