Stax SR-009 and Sennheiser HD800S are both highly regarded high-end audiophile headphones but with a significantly different design principle. As most readers will already know, the HD800S uses a normal dynamic headphone driver and can be used with any normal headphone amplifier or any normal headphone output found on audio devices
The SR-009, on the other hand, is an electrostatic headphone that requires special amplifiers (typically made by Stax).
The HD800S is Sennheiser’s flagship headphone, as long as we keep aside the incredibly expensive Sennheiser HE-1 system. While the HD800S was introduced in 2016, it’s basically just a slightly modified HD800 (which was launched in 2009). The primary distinction between the two lies in the black colour and the addition of dampening material in the ring driver’s centre, addressing the notorious treble peak issue. However, some enthusiasts favour the discontinued HD800, often citing less precise bass response and loss of imaging capabilities.
Launched in 2011, the SR-009 took over the spot as STAX’s flagship from the still-going-strong SR-007 mk2. It stayed in the spot as STAX’s main flagship until the introduction of the SR-009S in 2018. The SR-009S, looking very similar to the SR-009 was STAX’s effort to push the SR-009 further.
The SR-009 uses a multilayer fixed electrode (MLER) design. With the next generation, MLER2, STAX claims improved air resistance and sound permeability due to better finishing and etching techniques.
There’s also a very recognizable gold plating on the electrodes on the Stax SR-009S to reduce electrode impedance and the physical resonance of the electrodes.
Both the original 009’s and the 009S’ diaphragm are made of a special ultra-thin plastic, although that too has undergone some changes. The SR-009S has gotten a lot of praise although many audiophiles see it as a side-grade rather than an upgrade. Even though many listeners prefer the new model there are quite a few that prefer the original. Not unlike the HD800S vs HD800.
For a while, the SR-009 and the SR-009S coexisted in the STAX lineup. In 2021, the SR-X9000 was launched and became the new STAX flagship.
The SR-009 has now been discontinued for a while. On the second-hand market, however, it will be around for decades to come. STAX headphones often outlive their owners.
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STAX SR-009 VS HD800S
When comparing these headphones I used my custom-built KGSSHV Carbon for the SR-009. I tried various amplifiers for the HD800S.
HD800S WITH SOLID-STATE AMPLIFIERS
AURALIC TAURUS
For Himmerigs Land … Flaten, Kornstad & Christensen
They are both great. The HD800S is soundstage-wise presenting more of a “big hall” stage. The 009 is, on the other hand, both large- and intimate-sounding at the same time.
Grove La Chord by Christian Prommer
They both sound good but quite different. The HD800S feels darker in some ways, a bit muffled in direct comparison. The soundstage is in the same ballpark, but the 009 feels bigger here.
SR009 generally feels lighter and more airy, everything feels more effortless. It is not necessarily more energetic in the treble, just lighter and faster. The midrange feels notably clearer with the 009.
Overgrown by James Blake
It sounds very good with the Sennheiser. I do however feel that the treble is inducing some fatigue. Even though the 009 is sometimes a bit more up-front sounding, possibly because it has more focus on the upper midrange, it does not give me fatigue.
The bass quantity is about the same. They are equally tight-sounding. The mid-range is more forward with the 009, the treble both crisper and cleaner.
Muggen Fallskjerm by Jøkleba
This sounds a bit dull on the HD800S. The bass has more rumble with the 009, the vocals are cleaner and more present.
My Friends by Red Hot Chili Peppers
The vocals are much more drawn back with the HD800S. It feels unnatural after listening to the SR-009. The Sennheiser’s mid-range is a bit diffuse. Again, I get this slight fatigue.
Never Forget The Good Ones by Solveig Slettahjell
Another track where I prefer the 009’s mid-range and especially vocals. There is something artificial sounding about the Sennheiser that is totally absent with the 009.
In conclusion, there is really no contest. The 009 sounds more natural across the board and especially in the mid-range. Vocals’ general sound is drawn back with the HD800S. Even though the HD800S offers lots of detail, the 009 is better. Which has the biggest sound stage varies but again the 009 feels more natural. None of these are bass monsters, but deliver deep and tight bass when called for.
BRYSTON BHA-1 AND MONOLITH THX AAA 887
The Auralic Taurus is amongst my favourite solid-state amplifiers for the HD800. However, it’s out of production, so just to be up to date, I did a short comparison using both the Bryston BHA-1, another favourite for the HD800 and Monolith THX AAA 887, which comes surprisingly close to those expensive amps.
To keep it simple: There are differences between the three solid-state amps, but none of them are big enough to make any real difference in my comparisons with the SR-009/Carbon rig.
HD800S WITH TUBES: THE WOO WA22
The WA22 is one of my absolute favourite amplifiers for the HD 800, even better than the Taurus.
As Before by Olga Konkova
The HD800S sounds great, a lot of space. The WA22 tends to bring forward the mids, and it does its magic also here. The HD800S is more organic sounding with a good tube amp, more lively than with the Taurus or other good solid-state amps. However, moving over to the 009, it still is the better-sounding headphone. It still sounds more natural, undistorted and effortless.
En Casa Del Herrero by Vicente Amigo
By itself, the HD800S sounds good and detailed. But when coming from the 009, it sounds muffled and less natural. The mid-range is still drawn back in a strange way with the HD800S.
Exalter by Forest Swords
Electronic/instrumental music. It’s fascinating with the HD800S, with lots of detail and space. I do however get a little of that old “HD800 fatigue”.
Moving over to the 009 it feels like someone in the mixing room twisted some buttons and suddenly made things sound “right”.
I keep on playing my playlist and comparing these two great headphones. I have started repeating myself and even though I think the WA22 brings out more goodness from the HD800S, it still does not transform it into something else and relatively speaking the differences remain the same between the HD800S and the 009:
The HD800S has more often than not a more distant soundstage, but not larger. The mid-range is lacking in presence, warmth and detail. The treble is more fatiguing, yet the sound feels less bright and clear than with the 009. The bass might be the place where there are the least differences. Bass is usually the weak point of electrostatic headphones but the 009, at least with the Carbon, is rather superior than not, also here.
CONCLUSION
The STAX SR-009 is a lot more expensive than the HD800S, and this comparison isn’t really fair. It’s still interesting, though. As good as the HD800S is, my preference is clear. In my setup I found the SR-009 to be superior in every regard. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the HD800S. It will still get time on my head. I appreciate different presentations, and even though I find the SR009 superior in direct comparison, there’s something special about the HD800/HD800S. However, the SR-009 is the superior headphone, defending its higher price.
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