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

[Svperstar]

The combination of the 009S and Carbon CC is absolutely astonishing.

The detail is on another level and everything sounds so natural with flowing musicality.

Do you have it setup so you can hit pause, switch amps back to the Phantom, and then hit play to compare the difference?

I have all of my estat amps hooked up balanced. The way I have it wired I can run 6 amps at once without switching wires. Its fun to compare and contrast amps.

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Do you have it setup so you can hit pause, switch amps back to the Phantom, and then hit play to compare the difference?

I have all of my estat amps hooked up balanced. The way I have it wired I can run 6 amps at once without switching wires. Its fun to compare and contrast amps.

Unfortunately not, I have to unplug the power and XLR cables and quickly plug them back into the Phantom. I have expensive cables so if I use generic cables for one amplifier it wouldn't be a fair comparison.

 

[Svperstar]

Unfortunately not, I have to unplug the power and XLR cables and quickly plug them back into the Phantom. I have expensive cables so if I use generic cables for one amplifier it wouldn't be a fair comparison.

You should get an XLR Y cable that runs from the source to both amps at the same time. Then you just pause the music, unplug the headphone and plug it in, unpause

 

[AudioThief]

Im looking to once again enter what I consider totl headphones territory. Options right now are:

Stax 009s
Stax x9000
Stax 007mkii

I currently own a stax SR-L500mkii powered by a "vintage" 006t from 2001. I used to own a 007mk1 champagne, which I likes a lot. Sound signature wise I prefer he L500 over the 007 for active listening, but I miss the larger presentation of the 007, and the added bass presence.

All headphones would be bought brand new. I would need to invest in a new amp immediately if I were to get the 007. So I am tempted by the 009s and x9000 since the amp upgrade can wait a bit for those headphones.

The x9000 is really stretching my budget, and I am not really sure which signature I would prefer. I really like the L500, and the perfect upgrade would be a jump in terms of staging and detail similar to that of the 007, but with a bit more forward signature. Based on my readings, the 009s would fit this description. I am attracted to the x9000 mainly due to detachable cables and better build quality, but the jump in price would require an improvement in sound quality for me. Its hard to find resources comparing the two, and I doubt they will be night and day in terms of technicality. If I get the 009s, I could even get a pair of planars or dynamics for any bass slam needs. The 007 would be a great allrounder but as I said I believe I would prefer the 009s sound signature. So unless I hear some compelling arguments for the x9000, I believe the 009s would be my best option. But I am not sure, and I would love any help you guys could give me in terms of deciding which option to go for. If I bought the 007 I would probably get a 727 or one of the new solid state options from Stax. i am not interested in third party amplifiers, and I know I enjoyed the mk2 through a 727.

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Im looking to once again enter what I consider totl headphones territory. Options right now are:

Stax 009s
Stax x9000
Stax 007mkii

I currently own a stax SR-L500mkii powered by a "vintage" 006t from 2001. I used to own a 007mk1 champagne, which I likes a lot. Sound signature wise I prefer he L500 over the 007 for active listening, but I miss the larger presentation of the 007, and the added bass presence.

All headphones would be bought brand new. I would need to invest in a new amp immediately if I were to get the 007. So I am tempted by the 009s and x9000 since the amp upgrade can wait a bit for those headphones.

The x9000 is really stretching my budget, and I am not really sure which signature I would prefer. I really like the L500, and the perfect upgrade would be a jump in terms of staging and detail similar to that of the 007, but with a bit more forward signature. Based on my readings, the 009s would fit this description. I am attracted to the x9000 mainly due to detachable cables and better build quality, but the jump in price would require an improvement in sound quality for me. Its hard to find resources comparing the two, and I doubt they will be night and day in terms of technicality. If I get the 009s, I could even get a pair of planars or dynamics for any bass slam needs. The 007 would be a great allrounder but as I said I believe I would prefer the 009s sound signature. So unless I hear some compelling arguments for the x9000, I believe the 009s would be my best option. But I am not sure, and I would love any help you guys could give me in terms of deciding which option to go for. If I bought the 007 I would probably get a 727 or one of the new solid state options from Stax. i am not interested in third party amplifiers, and I know I enjoyed the mk2 through a 727.

What genres do you listen to?

 

[AudioThief]

What genres do you listen to?

Thanks for the reply. Good point, I should've mentioned that in my original post. However, I made my decision pretty fast - I went for the 007.

The reasons being in no particular order:

- Sound signature (compliments the lambda I already own)
- I've owned it before and was happy with it
- Price
- 007 is discontinued completely now, so "last chance" to own a new set.

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Thanks for the reply. Good point, I should've mentioned that in my original post. However, I made my decision pretty fast - I went for the 007.

The reasons being in no particular order:

- Sound signature (compliments the lambda I already own)
- I've owned it before and was happy with it
- Price
- 007 is discontinued completely now, so "last chance" to own a new set.

The 007 mk2 is not discontinued? I assume you bought an original mk1? As long as you have a good energizer to drive the 007 you should be good.

 

[AudioThief]

The 007 mk2 is not discontinued? I assume you bought an original mk1? As long as you have a good energizer to drive the 007 you should be good.

https://staxaudio.com/earspeaker/sr-007mk2

Says right here - Discontinued

Screenshot taken just now:

https://imgur.com/67nLNPF

 

[greatestprateek]

Can anyone compare the resolution & 3-Dimensionality of Stax Flagships vs Susvara & LCD5

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Can anyone compare the resolution & 3-Dimensionality of Stax Flagships vs Susvara & LCD5

009S has noticeably more detail than Susvara and LCD 5 but its a thinner overall sound signature with lighter bass impact/weight.

 

[icnaiwhimor1975]

I didn't even know that 009s had a separate thread

 

[13candles]

Can anyone compare the resolution & 3-Dimensionality of Stax Flagships vs Susvara & LCD5

I did own the current Stax flagship; SR-X9000 since last Jan and have since sold it last Nov.
Have tried the 007mk1, 007mk2, 009, 009BK and the 009s (which my local distributor loaned me for a couple weeks just because i said i wanted to AB that to my X9K)

Having said that, the Stax X9K is the company's most technical headphone to date with a really wide soundscape and amazing resolving capabilities but in the end i held on to my Susvara OG as the latter just engaged me with my music more.
Resolution between these two is identical (depends on who you ask but i doubt most people would say the Sus is less resolving than the X9000 and vice versa) but in terms of 3-dimensionality wise, the Sus just takes it for me even though its stage isnt as wide but its just nice and its more immersive for me.
I have had them both and ABed them both in the comfort of my own home so yeah.

But the wildest part is that my Sus is really handicapped by my hifiman EF400 lol and yet i still prefer it better over my X9000
Just imagine how much better it gets if im driving it a dedicated amp like the Zahl Hm-1 or even the Holo Bliss??

 

[icnaiwhimor1975]

what is a used market price for 009s now?

 

[number1sixerfan]

Can anyone compare the resolution & 3-Dimensionality of Stax Flagships vs Susvara & LCD5

The 009 is a bit more resolving than the Susvara, but also is a bit brighter overall with slightly less bass impact when the Susvara is adequately powered (although not by much, it's close). Both are more resolving than the LCD5. The x9000 is more resolving than everything I just mentioned and has more technical ability close to the Immanis and Shang Sr., although with a more laid back presentation that may not be for everyone.

 

[icnaiwhimor1975]

The 009 is a bit more resolving than the Susvara, but also is a bit brighter overall with slightly less bass impact when the Susvara is adequately powered (although not by much, it's close). Both are more resolving than the LCD5. The x9000 is more resolving than everything I just mentioned and has more technical ability close to the Immanis and Shang Sr., although with a more laid back presentation that may not be for everyone.

x9000 - best headphones ever