DAN CLARK CORINA

distance between itself and the STEALTH—a planar magnetic headphone—which I had found to be “incredibly natural, immersive, and very refined.”

BASS

Tight. Resolute. Focused. I do not think that there is another electrostatic headphone that is as effective or competent at rendering the bass frequency region as is the Dan Clark CORINA. Yes, in retrospect, not even the STAX SRX9000 was as tight or resolute or transparent in the bass region, despite its profound abilities.

The assuredness of the CORINA’s bass rendering capabilities is truly remarkable, as when listening to bass-rich or bass-infused recordings, I am momentarily at a loss to recall if I am still/actually listening to an electrostatic headphone. With other electrostatic headphones, I can wish for this, but wishing does not make it so.

Eiji Oue’s “V. Infernal Dance of King Kashchey” (Stravinsky, Reference Recording) is a litmus test for me, despite the fact that its overall recording volume is stepped down and must be adjusted for playback relative to all other music. That said and when readjusted for playback via the BHSE, the CORINA broaches beautifully the sub-bass strata, like few electrostatic headphones can. In truth, few headphones across the technological designations— electrostatic, planar, dynamic—can plumb these depths. The CORINA, nonetheless, does an exceptional job, and on other better recorded faire, the ‘HolyBass-Head-Grail’ is closer still. And it does this all with a naturalness and refinement that is incredibly immersive and addictive. The CORINA handles this track beautifully and then a host of others—David Holland’s “B-40/M23-6K/ RS-W” (Emerald Tears, ECM) and its deft bass surgery, Massive Attacks’ “Angel” (Mezzanine, Circa) with its throbbing, rhythmic bass, Marcus Miller’s “Power” (M2, Concord) with its resolute, driving bass line—all with consummate ease.

Midrange

There is no other headphone medium/ technology that renders choral or live music or its meticulous layering of the soundstage like electrostatics. I listen to choral and live music and heavily layered music—symphonies— primarily with electrostatics for the experience,