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Why STAX Makes ‘Earspeakers’ (And How It Started Very Differently)
- Andrew Munnik
- May 20
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
High-end audio engineers often dedicate themselves to the grand ideas and big hitters of the industry, producing loudspeakers, amplifiers and the like. STAX, however, have devoted themselves to the core of the intimate listening experience: headphones- but not by that name. As most audiophiles know, STAX creates what they call Earspeakers, and they have good reason to do so.
Though STAX has not always produced Earspeakers, their legacy truly took root when they entered this arena. Their pioneer Earspeaker, the SR-1, became the blueprint for their future successes and paved the way for the products we indulge in today. Through a careful engineering of electrostatic technology, STAX shows the world what Jobs showed Wozniak. They might not have solely developed the technology, but their efforts set the bar in perfecting it.
STAX’s History of Microphones and Masterpieces
The story of STAX began in 1938 in Tokyo, Japan. Initially known as Showa Denki Onkyo Kogyo K.K., the company's early focus was on developing and manufacturing high-quality microphones, record players, and amplifiers.
It’s a far cry from the landscape of headphone design, but their commitment to precision engineering and sonic fidelity was evident even in these early endeavours.
For instance, the meticulous design of their microphones demanded a deep understanding of diaphragm movement and signal transduction – principles that would later prove invaluable in the delicate world of electrostatic transducers. Similarly, their work with record players honed their expertise in minimising unwanted vibrations and extracting the purest possible signal from a source. This foundational experience in capturing and amplifying audio signals with accuracy laid the groundwork for their future innovations in intimate listening experiences.
The SR-1: STAX Earspeakers and Why It’s Not a 'Headphone'
This wasn't just another headphone; STAX deliberately coined the term "earspeaker" to emphasise its unique ability to reproduce sound with the clarity and spaciousness akin to listening to high-quality loudspeakers in a carefully treated room.
It became an emblem of their dedication- a promise that their personal listening equipment would meet or even exceed the quality of high-end loudspeakers.
The SR-1 was a revolutionary product for its time. It utilised an electrostatic transducer, a technology that differed significantly from the dynamic drivers found in most headphones. Instead of using a voice coil and magnet to move a diaphragm, the electrostatic approach employs a thin, electrically charged diaphragm suspended between two perforated metal plates (known as stators).
An audio signal applied to the stators creates what they refer to as an electrostatic field, which then moves the diaphragm, producing sound. The SR-1, while perhaps rudimentary by today's standards, showcased the inherent advantages of this approach: incredibly low distortion, exceptional transient response, and the ability to reproduce fine sonic details with remarkable accuracy. Their insistence on the term ‘earspeaker,’ while it might seem idiosyncratic or perhaps in the worst light, pompous, is clearly earned through meticulous engineering and refinement.
The Electrostatic Heart of STAX’s SR Series
The defining technology behind the entire STAX SR series is the electrostatic principle. STAX holds the distinction of being the first company to successfully incorporate electrostatic technology into a headphone, coming just a few years after the tech emerged in loudspeakers.
This pioneering spirit has driven decades of innovation and refinement within their SR lineup, allowing them to reach far greater heights than even those that inspired them.
The beauty of the electrostatic design lies in the light, thin diaphragm. With virtually no physical mass compared to ordinary drivers, it can respond almost instantaneously to the audio signal. This results in exceptional transient response – the ability to accurately reproduce sudden changes in the musical signal – leading to a sense of speed, clarity, and realism.
Furthermore, the uniform driving force across the diaphragm minimises distortion and allows for the reproduction of the subtlest nuances in the music.
While electrostatic designs require a dedicated amplifier to provide the necessary high-voltage bias and signal, the sonic rewards – a transparent, detailed, and incredibly natural sound – are well worth the investment for those seeking the ultimate personal audio experience.
The SR series, from the groundbreaking SR-1 to the latest flagship models, continues to embody STAX’s commitment to electrostatic excellence, offering listeners an unparalleled window into their favourite music. Though STAX might not have started out in headphone creation- nor did they pioneer electrostatic technology as a whole- they’ve had a profound influence on both. Like Jobs to Wozniak, STAX emerged as grand innovators by improving upon a fundamentally incredible idea, and they wrapped it all up in one word: Earspeaker.
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