STAX SR-009S Reference Electrostatic Earspeaker

Description:

Key features

• Open-air design
• Diaphragm made of ultra-thin super engineering plastic film
• High-quality audio cables
• High-purity copper wire of 99.9999%
• Almost every part of the SR-009 is manufactured through precise machine processing

What is it?

Stax was formed in 1938 in Japan and in 1960 they released their first electrostatic Headphone or ‘Earspeaker’ as they are better known. Being an electrostatic design, a Stax Earspeaker requires an energiser unit to drive them making it a complete package. Over the last 50+ years Stax have refined their designs making them the leaders in electrostatic headphones and arguably the leaders in high performance headphones today.

Multilayer fixed electrode MLER (Multi-Layer-Elect-Rords) established with SR-009 has evolved to MLER 2. The finish and etching process that smoothes the edge of the electrode opening reduces air resistance and further improves sound permeability. Also, the electrodes themselves are gold plated with high specific gravity to minimize the resonance of the ultra-thin electrode. At the same time, due to the effect of reducing the electric resistance of the electrode itself by gold plating, we have opened up a new ground for high speed, clarity, silky details, and powerful texture.

SR-009S adopts a diaphragm made of ultra-thin super engineering plastic film. The light mass has realized a high transient characteristic throughout the entire audio spectrum. The main body was redesigned to further reduce resonance as to provide a consistent sound.

How does it work?

ENCLOSURE: Aluminum is a metal good for sound and suitable material for audio equipment. It is abundantly used, e.g. at the frame supporting the appearance and sound element, to realize high-quality sound, rigidity and lightweight. Almost every part of the SR-009 is manufactured through precise machine processing.

CABLE: The high-purity copper developed from the necessity of wiring large-scale integration circuits is also known as high-quality audio cables. High-purity copper wire of 99.9999% (6Nines) purity adopted for the cable is further silver-coated and finished with the most suitable structure to drive the earspeaker.

EARPAD: The earpad of a new design is carefully made by a craftsman’s hand and features both the real leather with good humidity environment and the cushion material with moderate elasticity. The new earpad enables hours of comfortable listening to music.

ARC (head band): The arc is equipped with a position adjustment mechanism of 10-step slider and corresponds to the wide range of cranial form with individual difference.

Stax says the SR-009S “adopts a diaphragm made of ultra-thin super-engineering plastic film,” said to give the headphone a “high transient characteristic through the entire audio spectrum.” Further changes involve the headphone’s electrodes (or stators), where Stax notes that the MLER (multilayer fixed electrode) used in the SR-009 has now “evolved to MLER2.” The MLER2 electrodes use a new finish and etching process said to smooth the electrode openings, thus reducing air resistance and increasing “sound permeability.” Further, the electrodes are now gold-plated—a change that minimizes electrode resonance and reduces electrode impedance. Finally, says Stax, the “main body was redesigned to further reduce resonance to provide a consistent sound.” Taken individually, these changes might seem small, but collectively they yield important sonic improvements.