I don't know why Duke introduced Stax headphones; but that was exactly what I thought when I read the OP. Is there any way you could audition them, Russ?
Speed kills....
Which is why I love 'stats so much. For myself, dynamics and leading edge transients are essential. Are there any alternatives in terms of dynamic "boxey" type (verity?) speakers that I should listen to? My present speakers are hales t8's (hales has been out of business a long time ago) and they are about as far away from that ideal as you can get. I want to go in a different direction for my FINAL set of speakers.