STAX SR-X9000 Flagship Electrostatic Earspeaker Headphone Owner’s Manual

Owner’s Manual

INTRODUCTION

Thank you very much for purchasing STAX high-end earspeaker SR-X9000. SR-X9000 is the flagship model equipped with the fixed electrode which is evolved further than the SR-009 series.

FEATURES

• Sound element with newly developed third-generation fixed electrodes (MLER-3);
  The fixed electrode is extremely thin and the cross section of the electrode is round-shaped, so the air resistance and reflection is reduced and the sound transparency is improved. Thin electrodes are poor in rigidity and metal-mesh electrodes vibrate. These factors may make sound unclear. SR-X9000 is the culmination of STAX technology. SR-X9000 is equipped with the fixed electrode “MLER-3”, for which we further evolved the multi-layer structure, a feature of the fixed electrodes for the SR-009. One of the characteristic materials of MLER-3 is metal-mesh. This is the ideal material for an electrostatic fixed electrode. For reducing vibration of mesh to the minimum, an etching electrode and a metal-mesh electrode are united by diffused junction (thermocompression bonding). This technology realizes natural sound. Moreover, gold plating reduces electrical resistance of electrodes and improves clear sound.

• Ultra-thin film diaphragm;
  SR-X9000 is equipped with an ultra-thin film diaphragm made of super engineering plastic to improve the linearity of the sound. Now you can enjoy the high linearity bass and clear resonance.

• Genuine leather ear pads;
  The main reason to use the genuine leather (sheepskin) is breathability and softness which improves fitting comfort. But the leather also improves “vividness” and “dignity” of sound. (Unlike artificial leather, wrinkles or gloss of genuine leather differs depending on the used part. For this reason, the performance is not affected even if the surface of right and left ear pads looks a little different.)

• Changeable cables;
  Cables can be detached from the earspeakers. If higher quality cables will be developed in the future, cables can be easily changed. SR-X9000 includes 2 cables (2.5m cable and 1.5m cable). Choose cables according to your style. The material of the cables are silver-coated 6N (99.9999%) OFC parallel 6-strand, low-capacity wide structure.

• Newly developed arc assembly (headband) and asymmetry case holder;
  The arc assembly is made of stainless steel thin plate richly. So the arc assembly is more flexible and tough than ever. The cable outlets are positioned slightly forward to make the earspeakers fit better.
  The height of the head pad can be adjusted by the newly developed slider parts with 10-step clicking system. This system enables the earspeakers for the best fit. Once you adjust, you can always keep the best position. Re-adjustment is not required for each listening. The head pad softens the pressure to your ears to enable you to enjoy listening to music comfortably for a long time.

• Enclosure made of tough machined aluminum;
  The sound element is firmly fixed to the enclosure. This improvement makes sound clearer. Furthermore, the depth of the enclosure is reduced to a minimum. The air from the sound element flows more smoothly.

NAME OF EACH PART

(When the cable is plugged)

HOW TO USE

• Take the earspeakers and the attached cable (1.5m or 2.5m) out of the case. Confirm Right and Left marks on the cable plugs and firmly insert the cable into the outlet of the earspeakers. When pulling out the cable to change cables, please be sure to hold the plug and pull it straight out. For details, please refer to “NAME OF EACH PART” on page 3.
• SR-X9000 is electrostatic type earspeakers that operate on STAX PRO series bias (DC580V). Connect SR-X9000 to the 5-pin outlet of STAX driver unit.
• Confirm the 5-pin positions and firmly insert the plug into the outlet of STAX driver unit. And when pulling out the plug, please be sure to hold the plug and pull it straight out. Pulling diagonally the cable plug out may damage the plug or the outlet. If the outlet is too tight to insert the cable, insert the cable plug holding the driver unit.
• As Left/Right indications, the gold solid line (left) and the gold dotted line (right) are found on the cable. L/R marks are on the cable plug. (Photo 2)
• How to adjust the head pad height; The height of the head pad can be adjusted by moving the sliders on the left and right side of the head pad. (Photo 3)
• Be sure to hold the earspekers with both hands when putting on and off.

CAUTIONS FOR USE Please be sure to read

To use SR-X9000 safely for a long time, please observe the precautions described below.

• Do not hold only the cable when bringing the earspeakers. The cable comes off and the earspeakers fall down. This may cause a serious breakdown.

• There is a risk of electric shock. Note the following conditions.
  Do not pull the cable plugs from the earspeakers when the driver unit operates.
  If the cable plugs come off, immediately turn off the driver unit.

• Keep the earspeakers away from high temperature and humidity.

• The sound of STAX earspeakers is not distorted. So you may turn up volume too high.
  Avoid excessive input. When crack noise occurs, Turn the volume down.

• The diaphragm is an ultra-thin film. Do not apply impact to the diaphragm.
  If the earspeakers are dropped or pressed when attached, the diaphragm may be torn because of the difference in air pressure.

• The earspekers are composed of precision machinery parts. Never disassemble the earspeakers. Please note that the damages caused by disassembly are not covered by the warranty.

• Wipe off dirt from the earspeakers with a gauze cloth dampened with slightly soapy water, thin neutral detergent, or a small quantity of alcohol.
  Never use strong solvents such as thinner or benzene.

• When sweating, apply 1 or 2 gauze cloths between the ear pads and your ears.

• The cable is flexible parallel 6-strand structure. But do not forcibly bend or pull the cable. Be sure to hold the plug when inserting or removing the cable from the driver unit.

• When putting on and off, hold earspeakers with both hands.

• Wipe off dirt from the earspeakers with a soft cloth dampened with thin neutral detergent.

• After use, dry the earspeakers enough, put them on the stand, and put the cover on to prevent dust.

• In case of the long-term storage, remove the cable from the earspeakers, dry enough, and put in the accessory storage case made of paulownia wood.
  Be sure to hold the plug when you clean and store the earspeakers.
  

RECOMMENDED DRIVER UNITS

• Low-noise vacuum tubes (6922) for the first stage and high power solid-state for the output stage are installed.
• The power amplifier of SRM-T8000 can be directly connected by passing volume control.
• Input level; 100mV (RCA / at 100V output) SRM-T8000 is equipped with the high-power and wide-range power amplifier exclusive for earspeakers. Direct connection to SRM-T8000 power amplifier enables volume control by your own attenuator or preamplifier.
• The optional expansion slot is installed.

• The vacuum tubes (6SN7) for the output stage are installed.
  (RCA input x 1, XLR input x 1 and RCA parallel output x1)

• Input level 100mV (RCA / at 100V output) Strictly selected vacuum tubes are used.
  SRM-700T is characterized by rich middle-bass and resonant high range.

• Direct connection to SRM-700T power amplifier enables volume control by your own attenuator or preamplifier.

• FET for the amplification stage and high power solid-state for the output stage are installed. (RCA input x 1, XLR input x 1 and RCA parallel output x1)
• Input level 100mV (RCA / at 100V output) SRM-700S is equipped with the high-power and wide-range power amplifier exclusive for earspeakers.
• Direct connection to SRM-700S power amplifier enables volume control by your own attenuator or preamplifier.

♦ For the detailed information about each driver unit, refer to STAX website or catalogs. Website : https://stax-international.com/
♦ SR-X9000 can be used for all STAX driver units equipped with 5-pin PRO bias.

ACCESSORIES

• Two types of finest quality extension cables are available.
  SRE-950S (5m silver-coated 6N (99.9999%) OFC parallel 6-strand, low-capacity special wide structure)
  SRE-925S (2.5m silver-coated 6N (99.9999%) OFC parallel 6-strand, low-capacity special wide structure)
  The extended cables are exclusive for 5-pin plugs.

• The earspeaker stand HPS-2 is available for protection and long-term safe usage.

• Also a protection sack (CPC-1) is available for protecting your earspeakers from dust.
  

SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: push-pull electrostatic large circular sound element, open-air type enclosure.
• Frequency response: 5 – 42,000Hz
• Impedance: 145k (including the 2.5m accessory cable, at 10kHz)
• Sound pressure sensitivity: 101dB / input 100Vr.m.s. / 1kHz
• Bias voltage: DC580V
• Left/Right channel marks: the gold solid line (left) and the dotted line (right) on the cable and L/R marks on the cable plugs.
• Earpad: Genuine leather (a part contacting with skin), high-quality artificial leather (other parts).
• Weight: 432g (cable not included)
• Cable (one each): silver-coated 6N (99.9999%) OFC parallel 6-strand, low-capacity special wide cable, 2.5m and 1.5m full length.
  ♦ Use SR-X9000 with STAX Driver Units.
  ♦ Specs and appearance of SR-X9000 are subject to change without notice for update.

Storage case made of paulownia wood;

• Paulownia wood has an insect repellent and antiseptic effect and a great “humidity control effect”.
• Paulownia wood has flame retardancy and low thermal conductivity. The case is suitable for storing earspeakers for a long time.
• Light and soft woods such as paulownia wood absorb and release humidity when temperature changes. So humidity inside of the case almost does not change.
• Before storing, dry enough the ear pads and the head pad to prevent mold.

About “warranty guidelines”

• For warranties, please confirm with the dealer from which you purchased or a nearest distributor.
• Be sure to keep the warranty card after reading. (The warranty card cannot be reissued.)
• Since ear pads and head pads contact with the skin directly, they are consumables. They are not covered by the warranty.
• It is recommended to exchange ear pads and head pads, if they deteriorate such as getting dirty or hardening.
• Warranty may be invalid for failures using drivers or adapters other than our products.
• In case you send your earspeaker for repair, please be sure to attach a memorandum specifying the model name of your driver unit or adaptor.
• Keep in mind that without the memorandum warranty becomes invalid in spite of the warranty period.
• Note that the repair will be charged without presentation of a proper warranty card.

Caution!

SR-X9000 is a precision machinery.
Please handle carefully. The ear pads are highly airtight and sensitive to the difference in air pressure between inside and outside.
When the earspeakers are pressed against the ears, the diaphragm is pushed by air and contacts to the electrode.
In this case, crack noise may occur.
This is not a breakdown.
This noise may occur in case that the earspeakers are strongly pressed when being putted on.
But this sound does not affect the earspeakers’ performance.
If the earspeakers are pressed too frequently, the ultra-thin diaphragm may be torn.

STAX LIMITED
3798-1 Shimonanbata, Fujimi-shi, Saitama-ken, Japan 354-0004
Tel: +81-49-293-1891 Fax: +81-49-293-1892 URL: https://stax- international.com/

Printed in Japan 21-07-0.5K MP C STAX LTD
PN:8034020008

References

• STAX International

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