Super review. Really appreciate how you compare & contrast these different e-stats, and highlight why the various models might appeal to different listeners. To me that's very helpful. Please keep doing this, you are extremely insightful and articulate.
Interesting that I agree with everything you said about the 007, yet I perceive the x9000 somewhat differently - although the Woo WES is probably different to a KGSSHV.
Would be so interesting to compare it to the Warwick acoustics bravura or even aperio headphone system. I am reading all day about them . Very promising system. We need to hear it in 2022. Please try to contact them so they send you the aperio or bravura headphone system
I agree with u 100% on the x9000 impression. I own and love my sr009s I tried the sr-x9000's at a local distributor and it's exactly as u say. Compared with the 009s, it have a tamed midrange and treble, with more bass and added warmth. the bass is maybe only 3db more, but the decreased energy of mid and treble makes it feel like have a lot more bass. yes bigger stage with more volume, more depth. IMHO, this is what neutral actually sounds like. however, my favorite is still 009s, it's more forward and energetic, with its treble and midrange energy that really captivates me. though I would disagree with your thoughts on crbn, I think it's terrible. if the treble of 009s is forward and x9000 is neutral, crbn is dull and muted while having a shouty midrange. a boxed in soundstage with no space and layer.
I have owned the 009 for almost a decade (they were rebuild in 2020 by Stax Japan) and owned the X9000 since late last year. I also owned the CRBN for a short period. I drive them on a BHSE and with a Holo May DAC. I think this is a good review, but I do believe very often this idea of a "relaxed" sounding signature of the x9k versus the more forward 009 confuses people thinking that the x9k cannot engage you or cannot pull you into the music. This is not true. What is actually happening after comparing them for many hours is that I find that which headphone I listen to is extremely depended on the track and the mood I am in. Simply, some tracks the x9k will be much better in presenting the song. The 009 plays more like a "wall of sound" and this can be bothersome if either a voice is mixed too forward to the rest of the track or just too "shouty". There are also tracks where the soundstage is intended to very heard very wide with the vocals in the middle a bit more resessed. For example, some of Billie Eilish's music is mixed this way. On the other hand, if I have a solo/acapella or just a really good vocal I might want to hear the music more like a "wall of sound" and the x9k may present it a bit more unnatural. What's also interesting is that if I use the Holo May with upsampling through the best channel I have I actually get the 009 to come closer to the x9k, so the presentation can also be highly dependent on the setup. In the end, I like both the 009 and x9k together and will switch back and forth often to hear the different presentations. x9k does have more detail retrieval. This is clear on some tracks that reveal even more. I do not agree it has more bass impact. I actually again think this is highly dependent on the track and the way the DAC processes it (and also the signal processing further down). I do think it can handle bass frequencies slightly better, but the 009 still has extremely good and deep bass too. This does take YEARS to open up. The x9k does have a tad more detail in the bass however. I agree with your sentiment on the CRBN. I also found them a bit flat, diffused and didn't think the bass was all that much better to justify keeping it.
could it be bad chain and bad source that don't reveal things? my dealer ensured me the new x9000 is miles better than anything else, day and night, who to trust
You review with such articularirty and conciseness while remaining so poised! I also really appreciate your perspective on the x9000. Hope your channel grows 100x. Best wishes from Norway
Question is does srL senior have more detail than x9k, i know it has the biggest stage depth and wideness of any offering Its tuning was Uber shrill too like the 009s
I own the SR-009 and the SR-007a (the mark II sold in Japan). I suspected that the X9000 would be an attempt to split the difference between these two headphones. I can see making the $6,000 purchase if you have it, but because the 009 and 007 have been around awhile, the deals you can get on those two cans are hard to beat, especially if you can simply tweak what's weak with a little EQ. Of the two, I was impressed with the 007's laid-back presentation but I can't give up the 009, which feels more like taking a stethoscope to the music. I just EQ the bottom and my mind is blown for a price I can afford.
Idk why but on your 007 review I kept trying to link the es1a website but the comment kept getting deleted idk why but I think you should really try them out. I havent heard the x9k yet unfortunately but for the es1a represents the perfect midpoint between the 007 and 009 and I prefer to both actually and it has surprisingly powerful bass for an estat. Very planar esque. It also responds wonderfully to eq especially with a chip dac. I think they sound perfectly on r2r dacs like the denafrips ares 2 which is what I use mine with paired to a kgsshv. With this combo I don't have to eq anything when I'm listening to bass heavy stuff like edm and hip hop. As far as acoustic, jazz music, r&b, blues,etc it performs as good as any estat I've heard.
I own ES-1A too. In stock form They have an emphasis around 1k more than I like. I use 007 pads on ES-1A and they give a boost around 1900hz where ES-1A starts rolling off and 007 pads tame down 1khz peak by 3db(which is good enough). I also apply a bit EQ.(to give a bit more energy to 5000-6000hz range) after all these changes, I think they sound fantastic.
@@tugbars4690 Aye es1a club lol. i wish more people were talking about it tbh. I also own a 007 mk1 hich i still love but idk the es1a really does it for me. I never liked the 009 but i definitely respect its ability. I just didnt really fall in love with its sound.
Sajith I need your opinion I currently own stax 009s and was considering getting susvara unfortunately area iam in can't auction it for myself. Do u think its worthy to have both headphones or Iam not missing much. I already own meze elite and l700mk2 but the suavara is praised so much iam just curious to get it.
Do electrostatic headphones handle high volume level like planar and dynamic headphones. I tried x9000 with woo audio 3ES . When I raised the volume, at average volume headphone started clipping .
Super review. Really appreciate how you compare & contrast these different e-stats, and highlight why the various models might appeal to different listeners. To me that's very helpful. Please keep doing this, you are extremely insightful and articulate.
Thanks!
A comparison between Shangri-La Jr, Susvara and SR-X9000 would be awesome!
Fair point. I should write one up at some point for Audiophile Style. I'll keep that in mind.
Thank you, that‘s the comparison i need for the right choice!
Really good review.
Greetings from Germany!
Thanks and greetings!
Interesting that I agree with everything you said about the 007, yet I perceive the x9000 somewhat differently - although the Woo WES is probably different to a KGSSHV.
Would be so interesting to compare it to the Warwick acoustics bravura or even aperio headphone system.
I am reading all day about them . Very promising system. We need to hear it in 2022. Please try to contact them so they send you the aperio or bravura headphone system
I agree with u 100% on the x9000 impression.
I own and love my sr009s
I tried the sr-x9000's at a local distributor and it's exactly as u say.
Compared with the 009s, it have a tamed midrange and treble, with more bass and added warmth. the bass is maybe only 3db more, but the decreased energy of mid and treble makes it feel like have a lot more bass. yes bigger stage with more volume, more depth.
IMHO, this is what neutral actually sounds like.
however, my favorite is still 009s, it's more forward and energetic, with its treble and midrange energy that really captivates me.
though I would disagree with your thoughts on crbn, I think it's terrible. if the treble of 009s is forward and x9000 is neutral, crbn is dull and muted while having a shouty midrange. a boxed in soundstage with no space and layer.
I can see that. I think the WES flavored the CRBN and made it more interesting. I didn’t like the CRBN the first time I heard it on solid state.
I have owned the 009 for almost a decade (they were rebuild in 2020 by Stax Japan) and owned the X9000 since late last year. I also owned the CRBN for a short period. I drive them on a BHSE and with a Holo May DAC. I think this is a good review, but I do believe very often this idea of a "relaxed" sounding signature of the x9k versus the more forward 009 confuses people thinking that the x9k cannot engage you or cannot pull you into the music. This is not true. What is actually happening after comparing them for many hours is that I find that which headphone I listen to is extremely depended on the track and the mood I am in. Simply, some tracks the x9k will be much better in presenting the song. The 009 plays more like a "wall of sound" and this can be bothersome if either a voice is mixed too forward to the rest of the track or just too "shouty". There are also tracks where the soundstage is intended to very heard very wide with the vocals in the middle a bit more resessed. For example, some of Billie Eilish's music is mixed this way. On the other hand, if I have a solo/acapella or just a really good vocal I might want to hear the music more like a "wall of sound" and the x9k may present it a bit more unnatural. What's also interesting is that if I use the Holo May with upsampling through the best channel I have I actually get the 009 to come closer to the x9k, so the presentation can also be highly dependent on the setup. In the end, I like both the 009 and x9k together and will switch back and forth often to hear the different presentations. x9k does have more detail retrieval. This is clear on some tracks that reveal even more. I do not agree it has more bass impact. I actually again think this is highly dependent on the track and the way the DAC processes it (and also the signal processing further down). I do think it can handle bass frequencies slightly better, but the 009 still has extremely good and deep bass too. This does take YEARS to open up. The x9k does have a tad more detail in the bass however. I agree with your sentiment on the CRBN. I also found them a bit flat, diffused and didn't think the bass was all that much better to justify keeping it.
could it be bad chain and bad source that don't reveal things? my dealer ensured me the new x9000 is miles better than anything else, day and night, who to trust
The soundstage on the CRBN is excellent. Maybe you got a bad one or it didn't agree with your source
You review with such articularirty and conciseness while remaining so poised! I also really appreciate your perspective on the x9000. Hope your channel grows 100x. Best wishes from Norway
Thanks Jonas!
thnx waited forever for a decent review on x9000
Question is does srL senior have more detail than x9k, i know it has the biggest stage depth and wideness of any offering
Its tuning was Uber shrill too like the 009s
sounds like you always have to compromise between dynamics and imaging/separation
I own the SR-009 and the SR-007a (the mark II sold in Japan). I suspected that the X9000 would be an attempt to split the difference between these two headphones. I can see making the $6,000 purchase if you have it, but because the 009 and 007 have been around awhile, the deals you can get on those two cans are hard to beat, especially if you can simply tweak what's weak with a little EQ. Of the two, I was impressed with the 007's laid-back presentation but I can't give up the 009, which feels more like taking a stethoscope to the music. I just EQ the bottom and my mind is blown for a price I can afford.
I agree with your assessment of the sound
Non-estats that sound better than 007 MKII? Better bass, treble extension, imaging, etc.
Comfortable for long listening? No ear sweats?
very cool set of cans.. looks like the build quality is phenomenal.
Indeed it is
What is the best for you x9000 vs susvara?
Idk why but on your 007 review I kept trying to link the es1a website but the comment kept getting deleted idk why but I think you should really try them out. I havent heard the x9k yet unfortunately but for the es1a represents the perfect midpoint between the 007 and 009 and I prefer to both actually and it has surprisingly powerful bass for an estat. Very planar esque. It also responds wonderfully to eq especially with a chip dac. I think they sound perfectly on r2r dacs like the denafrips ares 2 which is what I use mine with paired to a kgsshv. With this combo I don't have to eq anything when I'm listening to bass heavy stuff like edm and hip hop. As far as acoustic, jazz music, r&b, blues,etc it performs as good as any estat I've heard.
I own ES-1A too. In stock form They have an emphasis around 1k more than I like. I use 007 pads on ES-1A and they give a boost around 1900hz where ES-1A starts rolling off and 007 pads tame down 1khz peak by 3db(which is good enough). I also apply a bit EQ.(to give a bit more energy to 5000-6000hz range) after all these changes, I think they sound fantastic.
@@tugbars4690 Aye es1a club lol. i wish more people were talking about it tbh. I also own a 007 mk1 hich i still love but idk the es1a really does it for me. I never liked the 009 but i definitely respect its ability. I just didnt really fall in love with its sound.
Which DAC and which amp you recommend for the stay x9000 . I couldn't make it out from the video
Probably a solid state like the KGSSHV Carbon and a neutral but forward-sounding DAC like a Weiss or something
Msb select ofc, none of the other cheap stuff lol
Bella/Linda.💰💰💰💰💰💰🌡️
Sajith I need your opinion I currently own stax 009s and was considering getting susvara unfortunately area iam in can't auction it for myself. Do u think its worthy to have both headphones or Iam not missing much. I already own meze elite and l700mk2 but the suavara is praised so much iam just curious to get it.
I did own the hifiman Arya and sold it cuz the highs where intolerant and vocals shouting IMO although it was highly praised it was Arya v1
I preferred the Susvara ever so slightly to the 009S. Sounds more natural with better warmth and body to instruments and vocals.
many dealers and users just told me x9000 is day and night better than sr009s... who can trust not sure this day
Do electrostatic headphones handle high volume level like planar and dynamic headphones. I tried x9000 with woo audio 3ES . When I raised the volume, at average volume headphone started clipping .
Really good review.
Sir, may I know which energizer what used for the review?
I just got the Stax sr-007ii used for 1500$ is there a decent amp in the same price range?
Good review.
What headphone do you recommemd for soundstage and imaging? (competitive gaming)
HD800S and Arya
You gonna get a pair?;)
Not yet 🙂
Please explain how headphone are £5000 wtf do they do