STAX SR-009S new flagship electrostatic earspeakers released (with impressions)

[Gradostax fan]

The 009 is the best headphone I have ever heard for rock music and the 009S is one of the worst.

Electric guitars sound proper and the energetic treble of the 009 is just a perfect match alongside the energetic vocals of singers like Kurt Cobain.

On the 009S, the electric guitars just sound really bad to my ears and its an all around terrible experience with this genre for me.

I won't say it's horrible , it is just not as alive as sr009.
It's like switching to hd600 after spending some time with grados, listening to rock.

 

[Svperstar]

Yeah stay away from the 009S if you listen to rock and metal.

The 009 is just inane with these genres and I have never heard bands like Nirvana, Linkin Park and Metallica sound this good with any other headphone.

On the other hand, the 009S is absolutely fantastic with acoustical guitars.

One headphone you might be interested in is the ES Labs ES-1a, supposed to be like a mix of the 007/009 and resolve like the X9000(according to some)

https://www.eslabhk.com/product-page/es-1-alpha-electrostatic-headphone

I almost got it before I picked up the X9000.

 

[TheAbyss2022]

It's been a over a week now since I got the 009S and just over two weeks since I got the 009 so I have some more thoughts between the two "earspeakers" after a lot of listening between the two.

First off the instrumental timbre on the 009S is certainly a big improvement over the OG and the presentation is overall a lot more natural. Acoustical guitars in particular is a big standout on the 009S and as someone who plays an acoustical guitar, I have probably not heard a better renditioning of the instrument on any other headphone I have owned. The HEKSE has very good acoustical guitar timbre but going back to that headphone when doing an A/B with the 009S makes them sound very boxy and the clarity in the midrange just falls off a cliff.

The overall detail retrieval is quite insane especially in the midrange on the 009S. This headphone is like knowing all the magicians secrets as you can see exactly what the artist/producer has done in a recording. Sometimes ruining the illusion in things such as stereo imaging as everything is so clear and precise that the images don't have the same impressiveness or illusion that your brain makes them out to be with other headphones. The bass is disappointing on the 009S especially compared to the 009 which I thought had decent impact and slam. The bass note hits and you can just notice the restraint of the impact which does not happen on the 009. The bass texturing is better on the 009S though, therefore, for music that does not require slam will sound amazing.

There is a slight shift to a warmer presentation on the 009S and it gives male vocals an advantage compared to the 009. With the more natural vocal timbre and more fullness, the male vocalists sound spectacular.

I think the 009S is more suited to genres such as acoustical, folk, male vocals (not a genre), jazz, flamenco and classical. For the most part these genres are some of the best recorded in the whole music industry and suit to the strengths of the 009S perfectly. I personally listen to more genres and this is where the 009 comes into play...

Now to the 009, without a doubt the very best headphone I have heard for female vocals and rock/metal music. The 009 just cannot compete in the other genres I listed above that were the strengths of the 009S however, due to the increased soundstage width and the increased treble presence/energy, it gives this headphone jaw dropping presentations for female vocals. Electric guitars have an energy to them that is simply not found on the 009S nor any other headphone I have heard except for the HE1 which had a truly real life timbre which made you think you were in the same room as those guitars. Electric guitars on the 009S just do not sound right to me for most music that includes them and it was the only knock that I had with the timbre on the 009S. A big issue when most rock music involves electric guitars but thankfully the 009 has incredible energy in those electric guitars and the timbre is spot on.

The bass is also a strength for the 009 and electronic music or anything that requires more dynamics is much better here. There was a sort of restraint with the 009S like its wearing a suit and tie and it just wouldn't loosen the tie and the 009 does loosen the tie and gives you that impact the music is craving for especially in electronic music. This headphone is more suited for female vocals, rock, metal, electronic and hip hop/rap.

Both these headphones have their place as they excel in completely different genres and as someone who listens to a wide range of genres, they both can keep their place in my collection. I have a new Audeze CRBN replacement coming in the next week or two so it will be interesting to put it against these two. Based on the short time I had the CRBN before I experienced an issue, the bass had even more slam than the 009 whilst having being even more resolving than the 009S in those low end frequencies and it's still probably the best bass presentation I have heard. Sure the HE1 had planar slam but I don't think the texturing was to the same level as the CRBN and it sounded more like LCD 4 mid-bass to me with a little less sub-bass. The instrumental timbre and overall soundstage presentation was an issue for me though with the CRBN as the instruments have that typical estat timbre and both Stax models have a wider soundstage with better depth capabilities.

Last thing to note is that both these headphones require the very best gear/sources you can throw at them. Even an upgrade to my XLR interconnects made a massive difference. I had transitioned fully to Qobuz as I really noticed an improvement over Tidal with the wider soundstage, improved detail and texture in the midrange and bass. I am not sure how much more performance I am leaving on the table running them on the iFi Phantom but I saw a video where someone had the T2 alongside the Phantom and the Phantom was the preferred amplifier which shocked me due to the price difference. ()

In terms of gaming performance, I still thought the HEKSE were better than the 009 however, once the 009S arrived, it was clear that it was no contest and they were the best gaming headphone I have ever used.

 

[gilency]

I sold my 009 and kept the 009S. Listen mainly to classical and jazz.

 

[Svperstar]

I am not sure how much more performance I am leaving on the table running them on the iFi Phantom but I saw a video where someone had the T2 alongside the Phantom and the Phantom was the preferred amplifier which shocked me due to the price difference. ()

The original T2 is from the early-mid 1990s. Electronics has progressed since then and many of the components in it are obsolete. If an amp produces more power stator to stator and measures better there is little reason for the T2 to sound better besides it mythical quality. Much like the HE6 4 screw the T2 is one of those mythical products nothing will ever top in the minds of some people even if the lead engineer on the T2 said it was outclassed

In terms of gaming performance, I still thought the HEKSE were better than the 009 however, once the 009S arrived, it was clear that it was no contest and they were the best gaming headphone I have ever used

Before I dropped a bunch of $$$ on estats I was thinking of getting the HEKSE or the Susvara and a Violectric amp. Glad I just went with the Arya Organic, the Organic trades blows with the HD800 for sure when it comes to gaming but has better bass for sure.

I've been using my X9000 for gaming, playing the Doom remaster. Sounds a lot better then I remember in the mid-1990s

 

[TheAbyss2022]

The original T2 is from the early-mid 1990s. Electronics has progressed since then and many of the components in it are obsolete. If an amp produces more power stator to stator and measures better there is little reason for the T2 to sound better besides it mythical quality. Much like the HE6 4 screw the T2 is one of those mythical products nothing will ever top in the minds of some people even if the lead engineer on the T2 said it was outclassed



Before I dropped a bunch of $$$ on estats I was thinking of getting the HEKSE or the Susvara and a Violectric amp. Glad I just went with the Arya Organic, the Organic trades blows with the HD800 for sure when it comes to gaming but has better bass for sure.

I've been using my X9000 for gaming, playing the Doom remaster. Sounds a lot better then I remember in the mid-1990s

Wow with the extra soundstage, detail and better imaging of the X9000, surely this would be the best gaming headphone ever but I would assume the Shangri La Sr would beat it.

I didn't know the T2 came out such a long time ago! Was it resurrected recently? As I saw some new ones being shipped and I fell love love with the all chrome one .

 

[Svperstar]

I didn't know the T2 came out such a long time ago! Was it resurrected recently? As I saw some new ones being shipped and I fell love love with the all chrome one .

The original Stax T2 was in the early/mid 1990s. They are very rare as they have bad thermal management and burn themselves alive. There is someone who posts on Head-Fi with an authentic T2 with really nice aftermarket EL34 tubes.

I'm no expert on the Stax timeline but I think it was the early 2000s when the first community made T2s started to come out. Kevin Gilmore made the Blue Hawaii around the same time which is the same basic layout( 4 EL34 power tubes) but its a hybrid and doesn't use the other 4 tubes the T2 does.

Obviously a T2 built by a random builder in 2024 and an original Stax T2 might have very big differences.

I personally find amps like the Carbon and the Phantom, or that cool Lundahl transformer box being worked on more interesting then the T2. I've never been much of a "tubes are the endgame" kind of person.

 

[mulveling]

The original T2 is from the early-mid 1990s. Electronics has progressed since then and many of the components in it are obsolete. If an amp produces more power stator to stator and measures better there is little reason for the T2 to sound better besides it mythical quality. Much like the HE6 4 screw the T2 is one of those mythical products nothing will ever top in the minds of some people even if the lead engineer on the T2 said it was outclassed

Spoken exactly like someone who has never heard one
And "obsolete" in this context doesn't mean that better parts superseded them. It means the necessary high voltage transistors went out of production because it wasn't cost effective to keep making them for such a small market. The problem is there are NOT equivalent quality parts being made today for these precise needs. And whatever that "lead engineer" supposedly said, sounds like it was highly misinterpreted or mangled in translation. And even if someone with that title DID say it - I don't care lol.

The original T2 has well known problems with heat dissipation and its unregulated PSU. These issues were addressed by the Kevin Gilmore DIY T2 project, circa 2010. The Blue Hawaii design dates to early 2000s, and is Kevin's earlier attempt at recreating a T2, before he had the actual T2 schematic. IIRC he sketched out its initial circuit design on a napkin while drinking Blue Hawaii's. OG Stax T2 is circa mid 1990s.

Even with the KG DIY T2, you need to be careful to run it with plenty of ventilation. It gets HOT. Kerry's new version with SMD parts stays cooler.

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Spoken exactly like someone who has never heard one
And "obsolete" in this context doesn't mean that better parts superseded them. It means the necessary high voltage transistors went out of production because it wasn't cost effective to keep making them for such a small market. The problem is there are NOT equivalent quality parts being made today for these precise needs. And whatever that "lead engineer" supposedly said, sounds like it was highly misinterpreted or mangled in translation.

An even with the KG DIY T2, you need to be careful to run it with plenty of ventilation. It gets HOT. Kerry's new version with SMD parts stays cooler.

The original T2 has well known problems with heat dissipation and its unregulated PSU. These issues were addressed by the Kevin Gilmore DIY T2 project, circa 2010. The Blue Hawaii design dates to early 2000s, and is Kevin's earlier attempt at recreating a T2, before he had the actual T2 schematic. IIRC he sketched out its initial circuit design on a napkin while drinking Blue Hawaii's.

Is the Stax original design the best sounding version?

 

[mulveling]

Is the Stax original design the best sounding version?

I haven't heard the OG Stax T2 myself, though I've never read about anyone claiming that. It has significant problems, as mentioned in many places. The KG DIY T2 was done without consideration to budget, and so avoided the shortcuts and pitfalls of the OG, and probably also used much better silicon parts (that were not available in the 1990s) too.

 

[Svperstar]

Spoken exactly like someone who has never heard one

What specifically is in a T2 that makes it sound better then say a BHSE? Or a Carbon? Can you be specific?

 

[mulveling]

What specifically is in a T2 that makes it sound better then say a BHSE? Or a Carbon? Can you be specific?

There is plenty written on this topic by myself and others, on this very forum. Did you want to come to the conclusion that BHSE / Carbon must be top of the heap? Because it's not

 

[Svperstar]

There is plenty written on this topic by myself and others, on this very forum. Did you want to come to the conclusion that BHSE / Carbon must be top of the heap? Because it's not

I've seen people say the T2 is the best amp, but not how or why

 

[number1sixerfan]

What specifically is in a T2 that makes it sound better then say a BHSE? Or a Carbon? Can you be specific?

I have a pretty detailed write up in my impressions thread (link in my sig). I'll try to find the specific post and link here specifically.

The BHSE is one of my favorite amps ever, it's an amazing amp. The shootout I did is really detailed and is between the BHSE, Eksonic Aeras and T2. In comparison, bass improvement is the biggest factor, with greater sub-bass presence and harder hitting impact. It also has better timbre with a weightier sound overall, with vocals and instruments sounding more robust and lifelike. Those are the main areas I would say it's "better" in. And beyond that, they both excel in resolution, spaciousness, speed, imaging, etc. And the T2 is warmer, while the BHSE is closer to neutral with a hint of midrange warmth.

I would say after owning both for years together and years apart that the T2 is definitely better, but it's not by some huge margin--just one that does matter at least to me. Keep in mind, you can find posts on here by me mentioning that I was very skeptical the T2 could in fact be better. @paradoxper might remember them lol

That said, the Aeras and BHSE are fine amps, and I know the Carbon is as well, I just haven't heard it since a meet in a long time. You don't have to spring up to a T2, and it makes the absolute biggest difference in the hardest stats to power (i.e. 007 and Shang Sr.). You don't need to jump for it if say the 009 is your bread and butter, in example.

edit* struggling to find the exact post including the T2 against them, but here are two posts that may be worth something to people that I found along the way lol
Aeras vs BHSE part I and part II. I give up for now, but I compared the T2 against all three, an incredible experience and three incredible amps. I'll follow up whenever I do find it. For now, here's a pic of the glory.

 

[ufospls2]

Having owned all three them (and others) the DIYT2 (mine was Eksonic/Kerry) is better than the BHSE and Carbon, no question. However, as I've said since the first days of owning the T2, the rarity combined with the hyperbole from some early owners of the DIYT2 resulted in a sort of mythical reputation of it as transforming every e-stat headphone into the best thing ever. Does it do that? No. Is it still the best e-stat amp overall that I have heard? Yes. So the truth is sort of somewhere in the middle, as it is with most things.

As far as specific reasons why its better for @Svperstar

-More control (and speed) over the drivers, especially in the low end but also overall
-Slightly more low end impact
-More detailed, without being bright and harsh
-slight tasteful warmth through the mids

Just IMO and all that.