[PointyFox]

Could you also compare utopia and clear? Whats your feedback therefore? Thank you!

The Clear has better separation to me while the Utopia sounds darker and more congested but has a larger soundstage, resulting in more of a "wall of sound".

The 009 has a bigger soundstage and better transparency than both. With the Clear and Utopia you can hear that you're wearing headphones, with the 009 not so much.

Out of my KGSSHV my 009 isn't lacking in bass volume or extension.

 

[QueueCumber]

I have both the Utopia and the 009, i will say 009 is a generally better headphone compare to the utopia, but the utopia is very close with fast responses and better in bass quantity. no question both the utopia and the 009 are both very good headphone. but given utopia is dynamic and cheaper, is really hard to compare it with totl electrostats

The sounstage is the Achilles heel more than anything else on the Utopia. Utopia has a tiny sounstage compared to both the 009s and Susvara. It is unfortunate. But none are bad headphones by any means. If anything you get more perspectives on the same music.

 

[Phil95]

I have both the Utopia and the 009, i will say 009 is a generally better headphone compare to the utopia, but the utopia is very close with fast responses and better in bass quantity. no question both the utopia and the 009 are both very good headphone. but given utopia is dynamic and cheaper, is really hard to compare it with totl electrostats

I suppose you're talking about the 009 without "S". You should try the 009S. It sounds REALLY different from the 009. At first, I preferred the 009 (listening habits), but now I rekognize the 009S is better.

 

[elton7033]

Oh I used to own both the 009 and 009s I think the 009s have a more smoother presentation, more balance than the 009 but the S have a nerf treble. I personally prefer the 009 treble extension(may be a bit bright than natural for many) and general presentation more than the 009s...May be I am just too used to the 009 like you. Both are very good headphone but I am now buying a SR007mk1 for something different, since spritzer say he personally prefer the 007mk1 so lets try after so many damn years.
For current 009 owners who do not have lots to spend (like me), I think the upgrade will be difficult to justify but then again if you have a lot of cash why not!?

 

[phaeton70]

I also have preferred the 009 over the 009s. I don't know if it's a problem of habits or maybe personal preference, but I have found the 009s sound sig to be less "vibrant" and dynamic, more "smoothed" and relaxed, and I don't like that. if I want a sound sig like that I have my magnetoplanar....
re: Utopia vs 009, I can say that if very well amped (and I mean really very well) the Utopia is very close to 009 in term of SQ, lacking just a bit in the bass, but unfortunately even very well amped Utopia's headstage is really small. someone don't care, someone else care, it's a matter of personal preference. when I listen to a jazz trio, I don't care about headstage, but when I listen to Mahler 8th I do care a lot

 

[Tugbars]

009S offers more detail and dynamics but less texture than 009.

 

[phaeton70]

009S offers more detail and dynamics but less texture than 009.

well, I like this hobby also because everything is subjective ... for me 009 is definitely more detailed and dynamic than 009s, but again it's only the way I hear it, and I absolutely respect your opinion of course

 

[rthomas]

guys,

People claiming big differences between 009 and 009S I'm a bit sceptical of. They measure almost identical. My guess is that it is a slight refinement and retuning.

 

[number1sixerfan]

Oh I used to own both the 009 and 009s I think the 009s have a more smoother presentation, more balance than the 009 but the S have a nerf treble. I personally prefer the 009 treble extension(may be a bit bright than natural for many) and general presentation more than the 009s...May be I am just too used to the 009 like you. Both are very good headphone but I am now buying a SR007mk1 for something different, since spritzer say he personally prefer the 007mk1 so lets try after so many damn years.
For current 009 owners who do not have lots to spend (like me), I think the upgrade will be difficult to justify but then again if you have a lot of cash why not!?

The 007 and the 009 are drastically different, but both are very good. The 009 is more open, detailed and refined, while the 007 is a bit darker and has better punch/bass while still having most of that electrostat magic. I wouldn't take them over the 009, but together they are really, really good compliments to each other.

 

[padam]

guys,

People claiming big differences between 009 and 009S I'm a bit sceptical of. They measure almost identical. My guess is that it is a slight refinement and retuning.

Go to 6:40

The differences are there for sure, but some get hung upon measurements too much, they are useful, but they really fail to show quite a few things about a headphone's presentation.
There is also copy to copy variations, personal tastes, etc. one thing might be insignificant to one person and crucial to another person.

 

[PointyFox]

The differences are there for sure

Maybe, maybe not. People have written essays on how two identical components sound different if they they think they're different. I'm not saying anyone is wrong, but I don't think it's appropriate to assume anything based on a few reviews especially when the measurements don't back it up.

 

[Phil95]

Oh I used to own both the 009 and 009s I think the 009s have a more smoother presentation, more balance than the 009 but the S have a nerf treble. I personally prefer the 009 treble extension(may be a bit bright than natural for many) and general presentation more than the 009s...May be I am just too used to the 009 like you. Both are very good headphone but I am now buying a SR007mk1 for something different, since spritzer say he personally prefer the 007mk1 so lets try after so many damn years.
For current 009 owners who do not have lots to spend (like me), I think the upgrade will be difficult to justify but then again if you have a lot of cash why not!?

May I mention my post #870 about 009 - 009S comparison? With more listening experience, I would say that 009S means more flesh & blood, whilst 009 means more air & light.

 

[118900]

May I mention my post #870 about 009 - 009S comparison? With more listening experience, I would say that 009S means more flesh & blood, whilst 009 means more air & light.

Have you been able to compare the 009S to the 007 mk2?

If so do you feel the 009S goes some way towards “bridging the gap” between the original 009 and the 007 mk2?

 

[Phil95]

Have you been able to compare the 009S to the 007 mk2?

If so do you feel the 009S goes some way towards “bridging the gap” between the original 009 and the 007 mk2?

I just tested the 007 8 years ago. Therefore, it's difficult for me to compare it with other Stax products.

 

[118900]

I just tested the 007 8 years ago. Therefore, it's difficult for me to compare it with other Stax products.

Understood