The Stax SR-X9000 MkII is a high-end electrostatic headphone known for its exceptional sound quality and innovative design. It features a four-layer electrode system, an ultra-thin diaphragm, and an open-back design for a wide soundstage and accurate imaging. The SR-X9000 MkII delivers a smooth and extended frequency response, with detailed and transparent sound.
Sound quality is exceptional, with a wide soundstage, accurate imaging, and a smooth, extended frequency response. The SR-X9000 MkII excels at revealing intricate details and nuances in recordings, providing a highly transparent and revealing listening experience. The SR-X9000 MkII requires a dedicated electrostatic headphone amplifier, such as the Stax SRM-T8000, to reach its full potential. This high-end combination offers a reference-quality sound experience for audiophiles seeking the ultimate listening pleasure.
The enclosure of the sound unit is made of tough machined aluminum. This new design firmly fixes the sound unit and completely eliminates unnecessary vibrations. The sound wave from the unit flows more smoothly. The improved acoustic characteristic inside the enclosure realizes clearer sound unaffected by sound reflection.
● Type: push-pull electrostatic sound element, open-air type enclosure
● Sound element shape: large round shape
● Fixed electrode: MLER-3 (Multi Layer Electrodes)
● Frequency response: 5 - 42,000Hz
● Electrostatic capacitance: 110pF
● Impedance: 145kΩ
● Sound pressure sensitivity: 100dB
● Bias voltage: 580V DC
● Attached cable conductor: 6N(99.9999%)OFC + silver plated annealed copper wire ●Cable: parallel 6-strand, low-capacity wide cable
● Cable length:2.5m,1.5m
● Ear pad: genuine sheep leather (skin touching portion), artificial leather (surrounding portion)
● Weight: 432g (earspeaker)
The SR-X9000 comprehensively surpassed the SR-009S to an extent that more than justifies the increase in price. On classical symphonic music, the genre I listen to most, the SR-X9000’s was by far the best music reproduction I have ever heard on headphones. It has a vast soundstage, tonality that is spot on, and it reproduces instruments with such realism in texture and tone that it connected me to the music more emotionally than any other component.
Given STAX’s reputation, a new flagship model naturally has high expectations to live up to. It’s worth mentioning at this point that STAX had also supplied me with a pair of SR-L700 Mk2 earspeakers so that I would have a baseline to reference against. The SR-L700s were great – I’d have a pair in a heartbeat, but the SR-X9000s were just head and shoulders above them in every respect; build quality, comfort, and sound quality.