PRESS RELEASE: STAX INTRODUCES ITS NEW FLAGSHIP—SR-X9000

OCTOBER 20, 2021 STAX RELEASES ITS LATEST FLAGSHIP ELECTROSTATIC EARSPEAKER (HEADPHONE) THE SR-X9000

The new STAX SR-X9000 earspeaker (headphone) utilizes fixed electrodes that reduce air resistance and the effects of reflection. This results in the highest level of sound transparency, to date, for a STAX electrostatic earspeaker (headphone).  And while a metal-mesh electrode was employed in the STAX SR-X in 1970, it proved difficult to manufacture, given the technology of the time, which made mass production extremely difficult. This resulted in the production of small quantities of earspeakers that despite their very high sound quality, were not cost efficient to produce.

The history of X, the gene of Ω

Since STAX’s SR-Ω was released, twenty years have passed and the manufacturing of metal-mesh technology has greatly improved, as has the know-how of manufacturing multi-layer, fixed electrodes, that were developed in the production of the SR-009.

Evolution to “MLER-3”

These factors have come together in the realization of STAX’s new flagship—“SR-X9000.” Further, the “MLER-2”, which was utilized in the production of the SR-009S has now evolved into a four-layer “MLER-3,” wherein an etching electrode and a metal-mesh electrode are bonded using diffused junction (thermo-compression bonding). This manufacturing technology now makes a significant contribution to the stable mass production of big, round shaped, metal-mesh electrodes. The MLER-3 implementation has also dramatically increased sound transparency and overall rigidity, which makes the MLER-3 far more resistant to vibration.

Passion for metal-mesh
The round metal-mesh which was installed in SR-X, reduced air resistance and the effect of reflections, which together increased transparency. Metal-mesh has turned out to be the ideal material for fixed electrodes. However, bigger and thinner metal-mesh electrodes are poor in rigidity and can result in sound that is, actually, less transparent. This has been the primary difficulty for the installation of metal-mesh electrodes in STAX products. When the metal-mesh electrode was installed in the SR-Ω (1990), the metal-mesh was increased in size, but needed to be reinforced with an adhesive by hand, which was very time consuming. This, in turn, made it very difficult to increase the level of production, which was the main reason that the SR-Ω sold in  such small quantities, in spite of its exceptional sound.

The diaphragm increases 20% in size
The SR-X9000’s diaphragm is made of ultra-thin, super-engineered, plastic film, which dramatically reduces the overall weight of the driver, despite the 20% increase in size, as compared to the SR-009S. The result of the new driver implementation is both improved linearity, across the entirety of the frequency spectrum, and better transient response, which together create the widest sound field ever realized in a STAX earspeaker.

The enclosure eliminates unnecessary vibrations
The enclosure of the SR-X9000 is made of a resilient and very tough machined aluminum. This new design firmly fixes the various sound elements, which completely eliminate unnecessary vibrations, allowing the sound wave to flow more smoothly. The acoustic characteristics inside the enclosure are also dramatically improved, to realize clearer sound, completely unaffected by any and all reflections.

The tilt guard mesh
A tilt guard mesh installed parallel to the sound unit typically generates direct reflections which affect overall sound quality. In the SR-X9000 this problem is solved, as the guard mesh has pillars of different heights, in the front and back, which change the geometry of the gap between the sound unit and the guard mesh. This, in turn, provides for a non-parallel relationship between the two, which results in a more transparent sound, that is not affected by reflection.

The stainless-steel arc assembly
The arc assembly is made of stainless steel, which makes the SR-X9000 more tolerant to torsion and which stabilizes the earspeakers for a far more comfortable fit. The “I”-shaped stabilizer at the top of the arc assembly eliminates unnecessary vibrations, while decreasing vibrations to the unit as well. The material of the head band, that comes in direct contact with the skin, is made of genuine leather and it can be adjusted by the slider, via a 9-step click system.

The comfortably fitting ear pads
The material of the ear pads is also genuine leather (sheep skin) which has excellent breathability and softness. Genuine leather allows the earspeakers to fit one’s ears more comfortably, which allows for long term, fatigue-free listening.

STAX original low-capacity wide hybrid cable
The material of the core cable is 6NCu ultra-pure annealed copper wire (φ0.14×3). The material of the around core cable is silver plated annealed copper wire (φ0.08×９). STAX original wide parallel 6-strand cable is used.

Replaceable cables
The cable can be replaced. You can change to a higher-class cable in the future and easily maintain the cable when the cable is broken. Two cables (2.5m and 1.5m) are supplied and the owner may choose according to listening habits. The inlets of the cables are tilted to the front (not vertically) based on ergonomics. This design contributes to more suitable fitting to your head.

The storage case made of “paulownia wood”
The storage case is made of “paulownia wood” which has low thermal conductivity and humidity control capacity. This case is the best storage solution.

Specification
●Type:push-pull electrostatic large circular sound element, open-air type enclosure
●Electrode:MLER-3
●Frequency response:5 – 42,000Hz
●Electrostatic capacitance:110pF (including cable)
●Impedance:145kΩ (including cable, at 10kHz)
●Sound pressure sensitivity:100dB / input 100Vr.m.s. / 1kHz
●Bias voltage: DC580V
●Right/left channel indication: Golden solid line (left) and dotted line (right) on the cable
●Earpad: Genuine leather (skin touching portion), high-quality artificial leather (surrounding portion)
●Cable: Silver-coated 6N (99.9999%) OFC parallel 6-strand, low-capacity special wide cable, 2.5m, 1.5m
●Weight:432g (without cable)

Please contact:

Audrey Felix audrey@staxheadphones.com
Kay Ho kay@staxheadphones.com