Short answer: the Stax SR-L300. It ranks #23 of 429 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $455; the Koss ESP95X ranks #202, rated 3.6/5, and costs $799.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Koss ESP95X does well: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 72 with a 3.06 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.7 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The tradeoff: Presence sits about 3.9 dB low with a 12.2 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
The Stax SR-L300 is the better-sounding option. An excellent preference score of 89 in crinacle’s measurement, among the closest tunings to the Harman target in its class. The tradeoff: As an electrostatic headphone it needs a dedicated Stax-compatible energizer to run at all, which adds real cost and a box on the desk.
Buy the Stax SR-L300. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Koss ESP95X and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Koss ESP95X | Stax SR-L300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.99 | $455.00 |
| Ranked | #202 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones | #23 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic | Electrostatic |
| Impedance | 100,000 ohms | - |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 35kHz | 7Hz - 41kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (353g) | 0.7 lbs (323 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 89 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.06 dB standard deviation | 1.94 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.26 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.03 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 67 Hz (-7.6 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Drivers | - | 1 x oval push-pull electrostatic |
| Sensitivity | - | 101 dB/100V rms |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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How Stax SR-L300 compares with other leading options:
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- Edifier Stax Spirit S3 vs Grado Hemp
Prices on this page were last checked October 13, 2026 at 3:17 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Koss ESP95X: $799.99 Amazon $799.99 eBay
Pros: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 72 with a 3.06 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.7 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Cons: Presence sits about 3.9 dB low with a 12.2 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite. Sub-bass is 7.6 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
Full Koss ESP95X review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.06 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 35kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 100,000 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 67 Hz (-7.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.26 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (353g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.7 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +5.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,079 Hz | -4.9 dB | 1.89 |
| Peak | 8,321 Hz | +3.6 dB | 2.07 |
| Peak | 173 Hz | -1.5 dB | 0.32 |
| Peak | 3,987 Hz | +4.3 dB | 2.39 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,177 Hz | +2.3 dB | 2.75 |
| Peak | 5,643 Hz | -2.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 1,436 Hz | -1.2 dB | 3.69 |
| Peak | 83 Hz | -1.0 dB | 4.60 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Stax SR-L300: $455.00 Audio46 $455.00 eBay
Pros: An excellent preference score of 89 in crinacle’s measurement, among the closest tunings to the Harman target in its class. The open back push-pull electrostatic driver gives a wide, airy presentation, and at 323 g it is light for a full size headphone.
Cons: As an electrostatic headphone it needs a dedicated Stax-compatible energizer to run at all, which adds real cost and a box on the desk. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise. The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X shares the same rating for less money and plugs into ordinary gear.
Full Stax SR-L300 review and specifications →
| Released | 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.94 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x oval push-pull electrostatic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 41kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 89 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/100V rms |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.03 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (323 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,213 Hz | -2.9 dB | 1.92 |
| Peak | 82 Hz | -4.1 dB | 1.03 |
| Peak | 4,035 Hz | +3.7 dB | 5.20 |
| Peak | 2,474 Hz | +2.5 dB | 3.36 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,544 Hz | -3.1 dB | 5.36 |
| Peak | 225 Hz | -0.7 dB | 2.42 |
| Peak | 413 Hz | +0.2 dB | 1.37 |
| Peak | 42 Hz | +0.7 dB | 4.57 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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