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ALTERNATIVES
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REVIEWS
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Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Stax Sr 009S Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£4,620Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Stax Sr 009S Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Stax Sr 009S
5.1/10

Overall score

Score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components

80%

5.1

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 96% of headphones
3.9

Value for money

Value for money
3.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components

70%

5.1

Overall score

30%

1.0

Price

â–¼Worse than 99%
5.1

Technical score

Technical score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

52%

5.8

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

4.7

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 91%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • stax-sr-009s
stax-sr-009s
Where to buy
    N/A~ £4,620
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Stax Sr 009S

Technical score
Technical score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components:

52%

5.8

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

4.7

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

5.1
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Stax Sr 009S has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
3.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components:

70%

5.1

Overall score

30%

1.0

Price

3.9
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
electrostatic
Driver size
80 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 80 mm, larger driver size than 97.7% of headphones and equal to 0.4% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
5 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 5 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 10.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Stax
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
441 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 441 g, heavier than 96.9% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Stax Sr 009S vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 40 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (80 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    80 mm vs 40 mm
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Wear detection
    This pair of headphones supports wear detection, the average pair of headphones does not. 8.6% of headphones support in/on-ear detection.
  • 22,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (42,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    42,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 0.29 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.01 % vs 0.3 %
  • 1.3 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2.5 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2.5 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 15 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (118 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    118 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 1.3 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2.5 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2.5 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 40 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (80 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    80 mm vs 40 mm
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 22,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (42,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    42,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 0.29 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.01 % vs 0.3 %
  • 15 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (118 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    118 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • Wear detection
    This pair of headphones supports wear detection, the average pair of headphones does not. 8.6% of headphones support in/on-ear detection.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 2.02x higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (441 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    441 g vs 218 g
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 51.33x more expensive
    Stax Sr 009S is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£4,620 vs £90).
    £4,620 vs £90
  • 88.8% worse value for money
    Stax Sr 009S has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (3.85 vs 7.3).
    3.85 vs 7.27
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 51.33x more expensive
    Stax Sr 009S is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£4,620 vs £90).
    £4,620 vs £90
  • 88.8% worse value for money
    Stax Sr 009S has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (3.85 vs 7.3).
    3.85 vs 7.27
  • 5.87x less popular
    Stax Sr 009S is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 2.02x higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (441 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    441 g vs 218 g
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • No neodymium magnet
    This pair of headphones does not use neodymium magnets, the average pair of headphones does. 81.9% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
  • 1 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (101 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    101 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
Reviews By WaveTheory
≈ estimated
16/11/2024
Re-review · comparisons with rival flagship headphones
Verdict
Stax SR-009S is still among the most accurate headphones, but it needs a dedicated amp and lacks bass power.
6.0
Sine Craft Audio
≈ estimated
01/04/2022
Quick take · listening impressions and comparison
Verdict
Stax SR-009S delivers strong detail and bass for fans of this sound, but harsh treble may tire listeners.
8.0
Reviews By WaveTheory
≈ estimated
28/02/2022
Hands-on review · SR-009S focus with comparisons
Verdict
Stax SR-009S has a fair price and competes right in the thick of its class, though it trades naturalness and bass slam for resolution.
9.0
headfi
≈ estimated
22/12/2018
Full review · sound, measurements and upgrade advice
Verdict
Stax SR-009S is a clear pick for new buyers, but upgrading from the original is hard to justify.
9.5
Currawong
≈ estimated
05/10/2018
Long-term loan review · one month with the full system
Verdict
Stax SR-009S is still the top headphone, despite its steep cost and need for a dedicated amp.
9.0
NyVo Reviews
≈ estimated
15/07/2022
Hands-on review · detail, comfort and gaming tests
Verdict
Stax SR-009S is a detail-rich headphone the reviewer likes, despite uneven tonality.
9.0
Amplify Audio Reviews
≈ estimated
02/11/2021
First impressions · comparison with Susvara and other flagships
Verdict
Stax SR-009S sounds deep and smooth and is worth auditioning before judging it by graphs alone.
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Stax Sr 009S

  • World-class detail retrieval and resolution, often cited as being among the best in the world.
  • Exceptional transient response ('speed'), providing an effortless and clear sound across the spectrum.
  • Highly comfortable for long listening sessions with supple leather ear pads and effective weight distribution.
  • Improved bass resolution and a smoother treble compared to the original SR-009.
  • Expansive soundstage with precise, 'holographic' imaging and layering.
  • Superior build quality featuring machined aluminium and gold-plated stators.

What customers don't like about Stax Sr 009S

  • High MSRP makes it a difficult value proposition compared to the SR-007MK2 or flagship SR-X9000.
  • Lacks the physical 'slam' or visceral bass impact found in top-tier planar magnetic or dynamic headphones.
  • Ruthlessly revealing of poor recordings and upstream equipment flaws.
  • Stock frequency response has some anomalies (like a 6kHz dip) that some users feel require EQ to perfect.
  • Cheap plastic headband arc feels out of place on a luxury flagship product.

Verdict

The Stax SR-009S is a flagship push-pull open-back circular electrostatic headphone featuring second-generation Multilayer Fixed Electrode (MLER 2) technology and gold-plated stators designed to minimize resonance. Weighing 441g (excluding the 2.5m silver-coated 6N OFC low-capacity cable), it boasts an expansive frequency response of 5Hz–42kHz, an impedance of 145kΩ at 10kHz, and a sensitivity of 101dB at 100V r.m.s. Key pros include class-leading transient speed, exceptional transparency, and a refined lower-midrange warmth compared to its predecessor, all housed in a premium machined aluminum chassis with 10-step adjustable genuine leather earpads. Major cons include a lack of physical 'slam' or impact in the bass region, a high price point requiring expensive dedicated electrostatic amplification (580V bias), and some users finding the plastic headband arc feels out of place for a luxury product.

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