I’m giving the Stax SR-009 five stars not because it’s perfect but because it’s probably the best there is, and any further improvements may be some time coming.
For reference, I also own some of the SR-009's chief competitors – Sennheiser HD-800, Audeze LCD-3 and Stax’s own SR-007A – so I hope my comments can be seen as objective. I must admit a bias toward electrostatics for their speed and transparency (I also have Stax SRX/III's and 507's), and believe the most valid comparison would be with the SR-007A because it's physically similar to the SR-009 and, on a pro-vs-con basis for sound quality, is roughly on a par with the Sennheiser and Audeze models.
The most obvious difference between the SR-009 and the SR-007A is in the mid-range, where the SR-007A’s subdued response gives them their dark and laid-back sound, which of course some will prefer. The SR-009 is more forward and neutral in this region, which also benefits the bass through greater harmonic texture. Voices are uncannily real and instruments beautifully separated. What slightly troubles me however is that the relative rise in the mid-high frequency response of the SR-009 tends to emphasise the sibilance that is also present in the SR-007A, but never really intrusive. With the SR-009, sibilance and percussive transients (including clicks and ticks) can be quite prominent. While this can add to the “wow” factor, it can also accelerate listening fatigue.
All in all, however, the SR-009 is superb. And by the way, I’m not one of those who say you need to double your investment in amplification to get good sound from these. While you do need a special driver, it can be quite simple and affordable. The SR-009 is more efficient (easier to drive) than the SR-007A.
Postscript March 2015: Regarding some of the other reviews here, I would comment that SR-009s are a true high fidelity product – designed to reproduce what’s fed to them as accurately as possible. That, for better or worse, is what you’re paying for. If you’re looking for some kind of sonic fantasy world, I suggest you look elsewhere.
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This Item  STAX SR-009 Open Back Electrostatic Earspeakers from Japan |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | — | $244.95 | $4,500.00 | $899.00 | $765.00 | $349.99 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it May 14 - 16 | Get it May 14 - 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sound quality | ||||||
| Sold By | — | Quality Over Quantity Distribution | ListenUp | ListenUp | Amazon.com | EdifierDirect |
| connectivity tech | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wireless, Wired 3.5mm audio plug |
| headphones form factor | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear | In Ear |
| connector type | — | 3 5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack | XLR | — | 3.5mm Jack |
| headphones jack | — | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | — | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
| cable feature | Retractable | Without Cable | Retractable | Detachable | Detachable | Without Cable |
| material | — | — | carbon fiber and magnesium | Nylon | Wood, Plastic, Aluminum | Plastic, Leather, Stainless Steel |
| model name | SR-009 | HD 650 | language tag | language tag | TH-616-LTD | S3 |
| weight | 596 grams | 0.57 pounds | 420 grams | 661 grams | — | 1.72 kilograms |
Reviews with images
Simply put on the world's best headphones and you will be in “Dreamy Sonic Bliss”
Describing these is hard .I'm mostly familiar with Sennheiser HD 800 but the 009's takes the sound quality a few notches up. The first thing you will notice ,is the amazing transparency they posses . Unlike the HD 800's treble peak the 009's is very well balanced ,in fact is the most neutral headphones I've ever listen to.Everything is well integrated bass,treble,midrange all that without sounding overly analytical.Sounds good with every thing you throw at it as long the music is well recorded. Even with MP3 320Kbps sounds so good , actually I'm hearing tiny details ,that I wasn't able to hear with my Sennheiser HD 800.People often complain they lack in bass impact ,but I disagree with that. The bass is one of the best I've heard very detailed ,vert tight and extends very low.You don't need BHSE make them swing .I have my Woo Audio GES and I'm very satisfied!Simply put on the world's best headphones and you will be in “Dreamy Sonic Bliss”All in all ,a great Headphones that will bring a smile every time you listen to it
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Amazon カスタマー
高価だからといってジャンルを問わない万能ヘッドホンではない－試聴は必須－
Reviewed in Japan on December 5, 2017