The sr 009 is the product of the repeated research trip to technology and material search without deviating from our stance to return to live sound and music always with refined sensitivity. The midrange and upper bass were great, but it lacked extension at the ends of the spectrum the lower bass was tight but recessed, and the upper highs were nonexistent. Home headphones comparison hifiman he500 vs stax sr009. Stax electrostatic headphones, drivers, accessories headamp. Stax launches evolved sr009s headphones, aimed at audiophiles. Jun 05, 2011 this is the part that matters most and it is where the sr 009 excels the most. The sound stage is not as wide, and the sound is not as refined as the sr 007 or sr 009, it does get quite close. Stax sr009 open air type electrostatic earspeakers. That puts them among the most expensive headphone systems currently available, and out of the reach of many audiophiles.
But the acoustic interaction between the speakers and the room can cause all sorts of problems that are completely avoided by using headphones instead. With these earspeakers, as stax terms them, it is as if everything is simply on another level compared to dynamic headphones. Several years ago, i got a chance to spend a few months with the stax srm007tii tubed electrostatic headphone amp driven by the sr009 combination. Intro specs performance compared usage recommendations. It does seem likely, but im focusing on speakers for the time being since i like them even more than the four stax systems i had. That product is the stax sr009 electrostatic headphone. The sr009 has a smooth sound like the lcd3 but not as smooth as the lcd3 while the hd800 is crisp and fast. Once ive gotten the speaker system closer to endgame territory, id be more inclined to add highend stax as a supplement. As you can see by the funny connector, the stax sr lambda professional must be used with one of stax dedicated energizers or amplifiers. Every technology should contribute to music reproduction. The sr507 will be discontinuing in a few months and replaced by srl500 sometime next year. The sr009 is the current reference model from stax. Stax sr009 open back electrostatic earspeakers from japan. See more ideas about headphones, stax headphones and audiophile.
The most interesting headphones in the world headphonesty. I guess with sennheiser refreshing its orpheus, hifiman releasing its shangrila, and mr speakers releasing a new top of the line electrostatic headphone in 2017, stax has been feeling the pressure lately to oneup the stax sr009, currently sitting atop of the inner fidelity hall of fame and considered by many to be the best standalone. Stax sr009 electrostatic earspeaker playback 54 the. So, when i hooked up these portable baby stax to my macbook air iphone ipod, i was pretty dissapointed. Anyway, even with the srm007t, the sr009 is still noticeably better than the sr007 with the kgss the 007t007 combo being the worst of the lot. Stax sr009 electrostatic headphone overear audiogon. Stax will launch new flagship headphone in 2017 hardforum. Stax srmt8000 sr009 sr009s headphones positive feedback. The sr009 is better than the hd800 in neutrality, detail, instrument separation, and imaging. L700 these have been called the mini sr009, and i now understand why. Why i personally prefer stax electrostatic headphones. Stax sr009 reference electrostatic ear speaker peter tyson. For sale stax sr009 electrostatic headphone avforums.
Jun 22, 2014 having owned stax omegas 007 for over 2 years and having heard most of the other headphones discussed in this thread, i agree that the stax omega 009 are just in another league. Only the more recent highend orthos, such as the lcd3s and hifiman series and maybe the hd800s, sony r10s and my symphones magnums come anywhere close. It uses a different transducer, and oddly, takes a few step backwards to an ordinary gimbaled headband with click sliders. Introduction hearing the sr009 and seeing all the highend estat amps at rmaf in october gave me the idea that it would be fun to do comparative listening session for a holiday season post. The old stax sr5 golds, although still very impressive at first listen with their speed and clarity, are bright and harsh in the long term. The sr 009 has a smooth sound like the lcd3 but not as smooth as the lcd3 while the hd800 is crisp and fast. May 20, 2017 the flagship from stax, the sr009 electrostatic earspeakers headphones. If you want to spend less than a couple thousand pounds, you could try. Our living room acts as the hub for our family and the last thing on earth my wife wants to see are huge speakers and a bulky audio system. For most here and that includes me this stuff is pretty much unobtanium, so i thought a dreamy little vicarious listening session through my words here might fit in nicely with all the other sugar plum. And the ultimate headphones are widely considered to come from japanese maker stax, especially the flagship sr007 mk2.
If a technology is not suitable for music, you should not adopt it even if it is a hightech. Stax sr009 electrostatic headphones to buy in london kj. Stax sr 009 flagship electrostatic audiophile headphones. Stax 009 or focal utopia portable audio, headphones and. The sr009 wins thanks to its realistic and lively presentation. Check out the hifiman he and stax sr007009 if you can find them. Sep 25, 2011 comparing worldclass headphones stax sr 009 stax sr 009 description released by stax recently mid2011, this is a fullsize open electrostatic headphone, which incorporates a numerous changes from previous models including a new driver. Oct 30, 20 stax has long been thought to be the headphone at the top. Reason for sale is that he decided to go with the abyss headphones over the stax as it fitted with his music taste better. Stax sr009 electrostatic headphone is approximately 3 years old and in excellent condition. Jun 20, 2019 check out the hifiman he and stax sr 007 009 if you can find them. With the stax sr009, i have perhaps reached the end of my.
Bass texture other than being a little less hefty than id like just a little, the extension. Sr009 should be easier to drive than o2, so thats good, but obviously, a dedicated stat amp will be needed. However, with the headphone revival of late, that might be in question. For many decades the name stax has been synonymous with top quality electrostatic headphones, and many discerning listeners have regarded their top models as among the best, if not the best, headphones presently available. Find out which is better and their overall performance in the headphones ranking. In fact, it seems that the price difference between the pro classic and the nextmodelup srlambda pro 3 is accounted for. Selling my dads sr009, mint condition and only used a few months. The stax srl500 and srl700 impressions thread page 5. I think its funny that when youve been in hifi for a really long time you notice some patterns. Lets begin by acknowledging that the stax is very expensive. This is the part that matters most and it is where the sr009 excels the most.
Sep 07, 2010 the srmxh directdrive amp stax calls it the driver unit is the smallest, simplest such unit furnished with any of the lambda phones. Introduction hearing the sr 009 and seeing all the highend estat amps at rmaf in october gave me the idea that it would be fun to do comparative listening session for a holiday season post. Staxs sr009 is a reference headphone that sets a new benchmark for transparency, low distortion and dynamic accuracy while delivering a wide and balanced frequency response. Stax is best known for their electrostatic and electret headphones, which they call earspeakers. The sr lambda professional is intended for use with any pro 580 v bias adapter, energizer or amplifier, however it also works with any previous standard 230 v bias system. I remember doing the headtohead with the sr009 headphones back then, and being very impressed by the extremely refined sound of the flagship, but being absolutely blown away. The midrange and upper bass were great, but it lacked extension at the ends of the spectrum the lower bass was tight but recessed, and. Stax has crafted electrostatic headphones or earspeakers in japan since 1938. Why i personally prefer stax electrostatic headphones music. What is more, the stax cannot be run from a conventional headphone amplifier, but rather. The srmxh directdrive amp stax calls it the driver unit is the smallest, simplest such unit furnished with any of the lambda phones. Why i primarily use headphones first of all, let me explain why i switched.
However he is sad to see it go, but he cant keep both, orders from the boss. So i thought it would be a good idea to let you guys know more about them. The sr 009 is better than the hd800 in neutrality, detail, instrument separation, and imaging. Several years ago, i got a chance to spend a few months with the stax srm007tii tubed electrostatic headphone amp driven by the sr 009 combination.
Jun 11, 2012 check out the insides of the stax sr 009 i opened them to check if the cables could be changed but it was a no go. Stax has long been thought to be the headphone at the top. Stax sr009 top of the line electrostatic openback earspeaker. Which one is better, mrspeakers voce or stax sr009009s. Pride and joy it will exactly be as a result of work each predecessor piled up, if a race, a company, and an individual have pride. Aug 23, 2010 for most audiophiles, speakers are the last link in the signal chain before the music reaches their ears. The sr009 is more efficient easier to drive than the lower stax sr007a, so it isnt quite as picky about amplification as its little brother. Stax chose the electrostatic driver for its ability to produce transparent sound. Much of that is to do with the larger 88mm driver housed inside the voce which dominates the aesthetics in behind that web grill. Some traces of its excellence exists in the sr 007, but it is a totally different animal. The traditional shape will appeal to those who prefer the more userfriendly cups of the sr 007 and 009 totl models from stax, however, the cup and pad size is much bigger on the voce. Youve probably noticed that i mention my own stax sr507 electrostatic headphones used for testing dacs and music server equipment from time to time. Ive been a fan of stax for many years now the first major headphone i ever bought was an olivedrab sr404, driven by the matching 006t ii amplifier. It shares a similar relatively speaking leaner and brighter signature.
Just bought stax sr009 arrggg but no amp headphone. The build quality of the stax sr009 is outstanding, featuring extremely attractive aluminum and leather design. Everything about the voce is better from a comfort and build quality standpoint. On the other hand the sr l700 uses sr 009 sound panel technology 3 layer stainless etch vs. Some traces of its excellence exists in the sr007, but it is a totally different animal. Yugengaisha sutakkusu is a japanese company that makes highendaudio equipment. Kj west one is now the only place in london with the sr009s on permanent demonstration. Home headphones comparison focal utopia vs stax sr009. Stax sr009 description released by stax recently mid2011, this is a fullsize open electrostatic headphone, which incorporates a numerous changes from previous models including a new driver pink noise extraordinarily even. Check out the insides of the stax sr009 i opened them to check if the cables could be changed but it was a no go. Home headphones comparison stax sr 009 vs stax sr 009s. Stax produce exclusively electrostatic headphones, or earspeakers as they call them, in japan, since 1938.
To me the sound was sooo much more hifi with the stax, more open, uncompressed and the bass was had the. The sr009 is much better than the sr007 in both cases. Most of my listening has to be when kids are asleep. Stax sr 009s new flagship stax sr l700mk2 new stax sr l500mk2 new. It is natural, clean, open, delicate, powerful, detailed, precise and revealing, all at the same time. The flagship from stax, the sr009 electrostatic earspeakers headphones. In the world of headphones its the japanese company stax with their electrostatic ear speaker systems. Steven stone takes a look at the stax srs4170 earspeaker system. Buy stax sr009 open back electrostatic earspeakers from japan. To me the sound was sooo much more hifi with the stax, more open, uncompressed and. Electrostatic headphones work similarly to electrostatic loudspeakers, but on a.
Stax sr009s new flagship stax srl700mk2 new stax srl500mk2 new. What is the difference between fostex th900 and stax sr 009. The electrostatic transducer in a stax earspeaker consists of two parallelarranged fixed electrodes, between which is suspended a lowmass, highpolymer film that is less than 2m thick. The first earspeakers have a 230 volt bias, referred to as normal bias. The sr009 is the product of the repeated research trip to technology and material search without deviating from our stance to return to live sound and music always with refined sensitivity. The sr009 is the product of repeated research trip to techology and material search without deviating from our stance to return to live sound and music always with refined sensitivity. This is the standard against which all other toptier headphones must be compared. Dubbed earspeakers, the latest in the japanese companys lineup is the new sr009s, improving on the sound element of its acclaimed sr009 with the use of fixed electrodes. Being headphones or more correctly ear speakers, the sound they deliver is independent of the room.
That puts them among the most expensive headphone systems currently available, and. Stax srl700 headphones earspeakers on sale in central. The stax sr009 is utterly unlike any other headphone ive listened to. Only slight and broad emphasis at uppermidlowtreble chu. Hifiman sundara overear fullsize planar magnetic headphones with high fidelity design easy to drive by iphone android. There are two different bias voltages for stax earspeakers. Dec 20, 2015 selling my dads sr009, mint condition and only used a few months. In fact, depending on your preference for tonal balance, the sr007 mk2 may be the best headphones in the world the stax sr007 mk2 are also called the stax omega ii mk 2, as ill clarify at versions. The srl700 is the latest model to come from staxs trademark lambda series of headphones or earspeakers as they like to refer to them. The sound stage is not as wide, and the sound is not. Devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a. Bare in mind theres rumour of a replacement for the 009 coming out soon 2018 is most likely.
In fact, it seems that the price difference between the pro classic and the nextmodelup sr lambda pro 3 is accounted for in its larger, more complex srm1mk. I must admit a bias toward electrostatics for their speed and transparency i also have stax srxiiis and 507s, and believe the most valid comparison would be with the sr007a because its physically similar to the sr009 and, on a provscon basis for sound quality, is. Ive been around electrostatic speakers and headphones for most of my. Apr 24, 2018 dubbed earspeakers, the latest in the japanese companys lineup is the new sr009s, improving on the sound element of its acclaimed sr009 with the use of fixed electrodes. Of course, being an electrostatic headphone, they require a special amplifier to be used. The stax sr007 mk2 electrostatic headphones are among the very best headphones in the in the world. Just bought stax sr009 arrggg but no amp sign in to follow. The stax sr 009 is utterly unlike any other headphone ive listened to. I remain in disbelief to this day how shockingly transparent, detailed, and real it sounds. The sr 507 will be discontinuing in a few months and replaced by sr l500 sometime next year. So, this set of impressions will be relatively short. Stax have utilised a lot of the same technology that was developed for their flagship sr009s.
L700 these have been called the mini sr 009, and i now understand why. I must admit a bias toward electrostatics for their speed and transparency i also have stax srxiiis and 507s, and believe the most valid comparison would be with the sr 007a because its physically similar to the sr 009 and, on a pro vs con basis for sound quality, is roughly on a par with the sennheiser and audeze models. On the other hand the srl700 uses sr009 sound panel technology 3 layer stainless etch vs. For most audiophiles, speakers are the last link in the signal chain before the music reaches their ears. The sr009 is the product of repeated research trip to technology and material search without deviating from our stance to return to live sound and music always. They are regarded by many as the best headphones ever made. Though they can afford full range electrostatic loudspeakers so not much is lost for. If you want to spend less than a couple thousand pounds, you could try and look for the akg k340 on a second hand site, but. Stax sr009 headphones opened up and disassembled youtube. Listening to the stax sr009 and great headphone amplifiers. The sr 009 will sound better for jazz, classical, rock, and any acoustic music. So many people discuss sennheiser hd800s, beyer and audeze.