Hello all, the following is my brief experience with the STAX SR-X9000:
I don't often write thoughts or opinions of headphones therefore it is somewhat of a challenge for me to portray how I heard things but will do the best I can. I had the chance to listen to the SR-X9000 at E-Earphone Saturday and found them to be quite enjoyable with the few tracks of a coupe different genres I tried in a short period of time(approximately 25 minutes).
It was also a pleasure to speak with the STAX Sales Director Shimizu-san who assisted me with the audition.
The STAX driver unit used was the SRM-T8000 along with an ADI-2 FS DAC and my iPhone 12pm as source.
Overall I feel they are an improvement over the SR-009S, treble is a touch smoother without losing any of the speed and resolution of the 009/009S series. The bass and midrange presence is a bit more but the difference is not significant, overall I found the SR-X9000 to have a neutral sound signature still that will be true to its source.
The weight is very light which was the first thing I noticed when I first held it, they almost disappeared on my head. As Arnaud mentioned the headband durability may be of concern, for storage it would be best to avoid a stand that places constant pressure on the leather headband imo.
I brought my SR-007MkI along with me for comparison and the SR-X9000 sound signature leans more towards the 009S in tonality. The SR-007MkI is considerably warmer, soundstage is narrower, less precise and is less resolving though the warmer tonality makes it more of a complementary headphone to the SR-X9000.
The X9000 retains the speed and resolution of higher frequencies but it’s not forced when compared to the 009/009S which makes it more of an easier listening experience with music where treble may be peaky/harsh but it does this while maintaining a neutral sound signature.
The X9000 places you a bit further back in the soundstage but also is more layered and precise though if a singer is meant to be singing near your vicinity the X9000 will portray that. Because of the better layering and perception of depth its easier to tell where sounds of musical instruments and singers are placed along the stage giving it a better sense of the ambient space in the recording, providing more of a holographic feel which impressed me.
When listening to Yo-Yo Ma, the SR-X9000 felt a bit under powered with the SRM-T8000 and therefore it may be best paired with a Kevin Gilmore amp with the KGST being the minimum requirement if listening to classical though I assume most people purchasing the SR-X9000 will be pairing it with a top tier amplifier.
If I was in the market for an electrostatic headphone the SR-X9000 would be one that I would highly consider acquiring but I am on a hiatus when it comes to Hi-Fi purchases for now.
Tracks listened to:
Yo-Yo Ma – The Mission – Gabriel’s Oboe
Bob Moses – Desire
Gorgon City – Tell me its true
Armin van Buuren – Never say never
Kuba - Trustafari
Eagles - Hotel California (live)
Fleetwood Mac – Landslide & Gold Dust Woman