STAX SR-X9000 Wired Headphones and STAX SRM-T8000 Amplifier

Stax and electrostatics: the story begins with the SR-1 in 1960. Not to mention the speakers and cartridges also based on this principle, the brand has designed renowned electronics, CD players, DACs, amps-preamps, before to refocus solely on headphones and amps. The release of a new reference headphone constitutes an event in itself, the previous SR-009S dating from 2018. The SR-X9000 is an open headphone and its transducer push-pull electrostatic polarized continuously under 580 V returns to the metal mesh electrodes which are so difficult to develop. Compared to the SR-009S, the emissive surface area increases by 20% and the headphones are equipped with new MLER-3 four-layer fixed electrodes, resulting in less resistance to sound flow. The ear cushions are made of genuine sheepskin leather, the shells are made of aluminum and the conductors are made of OFC 6N copper and silver-plated copper.

The weight of 432 g without the cable is substantial, comparable to that of the SR-009S (441 g). Comfort is ensured by a wide leather headband. However, the SR-X9000 remains imposing and does not invite fantasy. With its 85 mm transducers, it covers frequencies from 5 Hz to 42 kHz with a sensitivity of 100 dB. To power it, the SRM-T8000 amp has a duo of 6922 triodes as input and hybrid circuits without linking capacity. It has four line inputs, one with an optional module, and promises a total gain of 60 dB. The restitution is imbued with delicacy and an immense capacity to extract tenuous sounds such as harmonics, ambient information and everything which, from a natural capture, defines an inhabited sound as opposed to a flat and disembodied. Without easy effect or ostentation, but with the conviction of a proponent of the right sound. Fair and devilishly elegant.

The +: State of the art.

The -: Without madness.

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