General Info/Build/Comfort/Packaging
In 2012, Edifier acquired STAX Ltd., a company with a history of more than 80 years and a persistent pursuit of Hi-Fi and Hi-Res audio reproduction. It has always focused on electrostatic technology and has almost become synonymous with electrostatic headphones. Edifier then with the expertise of Stax and also Audeze in planar magnetic headphones, released Stax Spirit S3 Planar Magnetic Wireless Headphone.
In terms of build quality, I would say it is average, a plastic build but it gets the job done and keeps the headphone’s weight in check, however, there are some minor squeaky sounds from the headphone’s band which is to be expected being a plastic build. S3 came with two different types of earpads, one is genuine lamb leather and cooling mesh gel earpads, both are comfortable and very soft, it will also slightly alter the sound signature depending on the earpads that you are using. The packaging itself also matches the asking price, a very premium unboxing experience. It came with a type C charging cable, a 3.5 to 3.5mm aux cable to use the S3 in wired mode, two types of earpads, and also a storage case for the S3.
Specifications
Bluetooth version: V5.2
Audio codecs: Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, Qualcomm® aptX™, SBC
Driver unit: 89mm*70mm Planar Magnetic Driver
Playtime: 80hrs
Charging time: 1.5 hours
Charging port: USB-TypeC
Battery capacity: 1500mAh
Input: 5V/1.5A
Mircophones: 1
Microphone Type / Size: MEMS / 3.50X2.65X0.98mm
Microphone Sensitivity: -37dBFS±1dBFS
Frequency response: 20Hz~40KHz
Sound pressure level: 94±3dB SPL (A)
Impedance: 24Ω
Weight: 329g
Dimension (L x W x H mm): 208x110x255mm
Gears used for this review
- Topping DX1 + iFi Zen Air Can
- Hidizs XO Dongle
- Aune M2, Sony NWZ ZX300 (Mrwalkman’s Firmware)
- Macbook Air M2’s 3.5mm port
General Features (Battery life, App compatibility, Etc etc)
- Very long battery life, rated at 80 hours, i used the S3 throughout the week averaging 3-4 hours daily and listening at about 30% of volume with aptx codec, i don’t even have to charge it until 3rd or 4th day of the following week, the battery life is really superb
- Compatible with Edifier’s app, it allows you to switch the EQ modes between Classic, Hi-Fi, and Stax mode. The EQ is pre-defined and you are not able to adjust any parameters, you will be able to select the type of earpads that you are currently using on the app, this will taylor the sound signature according to the earpads that you are using
- Edifier’s app also allow you to configure the action for the button, double pressed, triple pressed
- Although the specification doesn’t mention that S3 supports AAC, when i tried to force it to AAC mode, it is able to play using AAC’s codec on Sony’s Xperia 1 phone
- The S3 has to be turned on in order to be used in wired mode, i believe even in wired mode, the sound will be processed by the DSP hence the need to power on the headphone even for wired mode. One reason that I can think of is, since both wireless and wired mode will be going through the same DSP, the sound from both wired and wireless mode will be consistent I believe.
- There is also a game mode on the S3 which will greatly reduce latency (audio/video sync), i have tested it on my iPhone 12 Mini, playing some action game such as KoF (King of Fighters All Stars), i can barely notice the lag, to be completely honest, if i were to just play and not try to notice it, it doesn’t really sound like it's lagging at all, the sound and video is pretty much in sync, punches being heard the moment it hit, running footsteps and also voices, all are pretty much in sync
- You can also select the type of earpads that you are currently using in the Edifier’s app, Mesh/ LambSkin, both the selection does have some slight sonic differences to it
Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far.
Sound Impression (Default EQ Mode - Classic and Leather earpad)
The default mode offers a balanced sound across the frequency with a slight boost on the low and top end. A little bit of fun sounding to my ears. The timbre sounds quite natural to my ears and i did not notice any planar timbre, at least to my ears. In terms of tonality, they are neutral with a little bit of energy on the top end. Let’s take a look at the break down of the frequency range:
Bass
- It is important to take note that being a closed back headphone, achieving a proper seal is a must in order to hear the “correct” bass response, closed back is a little tricky compared to an open backed, some might take a little while to find the proper seal whereas others will work without fiddling with the fit/seal
- The bass is fast, tight and controlled, in terms of quantity, it is just right and never once it sound bloated
- Sub bass does rumble when it’s called for, but it is definitely nowhere near a basshead’s expectation, personally, this is fine for me because i preferred a slightly neutral bass presentation instead of overly boosted
- Mid bass is punchy and well controlled, tight bass and doesn’t sound bloated, most importantly, it doesn’t bleed into the mids (to my ears)
- Overall, the bass presentation is rather neutral and it is what I would consider or term it as “audiophile’s” bass response?
Mids
- Mids are slightly forward but not to the point where it is in your face
- Both male and female vocals have good texture to them and both of them are pretty much forward and prominent, you can clearly hear the vocals clearly layered over the instruments, well done!
- The upper mids or pinna gain is rather smooth and gradual, and definitely not shouty
Treble
- The treble on S3 has good extension, and treble is with good energy but never harsh nor sibilant
- Detail retrieval is good but not excellent, you will be able to pick up the micro details but this is definitely not a set for analytical listening
- There are good amount of air in this region hence it doesn’t sound dull
- Overall the treble region is good, nothing to complain about
Soundstage/Imaging
- S3’s soundstage is not too wide or narrow, i would say the soundstage is nicely done in a way where it doesn’t sound like everything is just within your head
- Average height, width and depth
- Imaging on the other hand is really excellent, instruments can be pin pointed easily, clearly being layered even on busy track such as Slipknot’s People = crap
Sound Comparison on the EQ modes
Hi-Fi Mode
- I personally find that the highs in Hi-Fi mode is being boosted too much and made the highs sound too resolving and “artificial”
- The lows are slightly tamed in terms of the mid bass, less punch
- No perceivable changes in terms of soundstage and imaging compared to classic mode
Stax Mode
- I personally find that the Stax mode is the most balanced among Hi-Fi and Classic mode
- The mids are being pushed forward so does the vocal, it is slightly more forward than the classic mode
- The upper mids are also being boosted a little to give the female vocal a little bit more energy, and female vocal sounded sweet and more pleasant compared to classic mode
- Soundstage and imaging has no perceivable change to my ears
Suggested Improvement/Changes
- The EQ modes are fixed and would love to see some flexibility to adjust the parameters instead of having three fixed modes
- The Edifier’s app is showing the firmware version of the S3, one thing that i can think of is adding some firmware upgrades to enhance certain feature or perhaps some addition of new features
- Allow the headphone being used in wired mode without powering on the headphone
Final Thoughts
All in all, S3 is a very well tuned planar magnetic bluetooth headphone, very resolving and also good technicalities, of course there are some compromises in terms of the build quality and also a slightly high asking price in comparison to other headphone makers which offers ANC capability at similar price point or some even lower, so how does S3 position itself against the competitors? To me, the S3 is targeted at the audiophiles who are looking for audio quality instead of features loaded with average sound quality. In terms of ANC, the S3 offers a pretty good passive noise isolation when a good seal is achieved, so you’re not really losing out a lot in terms of noise cancellation.
If you are in the lookout for a pair of good sounding planar magnetic headphones with fancy tech embedded, look no further. Highly recommended for its sound and superb battery life!
*This unit is sent over by Edifier Malaysia for the purpose of this review, all thoughts are of my own and I received no monetary compensation for this review.
Head over to Edifier’s Shopee Store if you are interested in getting a pair
Edifier Stax Spirit S3 - Non affiliated Link
