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Abyss Diana V3 DZ (Carbon) vs STAX SR-X9000: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the STAX SR-X9000 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: STAX SR-X9000 - Outstanding overall at around $5050.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Abyss Diana V3 DZ (Carbon)
Sound8.7
Value6.5
STAX SR-X9000
Sound9.5
Value5.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of Abyss Diana V3 DZ (Carbon) vs STAX SR-X9000
SpecAbyss Diana V3 DZ (Carbon)STAX SR-X9000
TypeOver-EarOver-Ear
Price (USD)$3995$5050
HearWiki score84 / 100 · Great88 / 100 · Outstanding
Released20242021
Audio
Driverplanarelectrostatic
Driver size63 mm-
Drivers per side22
Frequency response5Hz-65kHz5Hz-42,000Hz
Impedance50 Ω145000 Ω
Sensitivity92 dB/mW-
Wireless
Multipoint pairingNoNo
Features
Active noise cancellingNoNo
Design
Weight379 g432 g
Model codeDiana DZ-

What reviewers said

Abyss Diana V3 DZ (Carbon)

The Abyss Diana V3 DZ is a premium planar headphone that delivers a wide, holographic soundstage with exceptional clarity and a neutral, refined tonal balance. Its lightweight frame and improved comfort make it a notable step forward from earlier Diana models, though it demands high-quality source gear to fully shine. It stands as a strong contender in the ultra-high-end category for those seeking technical precision over a vocal-forward signature.

  • Pro:Spacious, holographic imaging with strong detail retrieval
  • Pro:Neutral yet refined tuning that avoids listener fatigue
  • Pro:Lightweight build with improved ergonomics and comfort
  • Con:Performance heavily depends on premium source equipment
  • Con:Not ideal for listeners who prioritize upfront, vocal-centric sound
  • Con:High price point limits accessibility

STAX SR-X9000

The STAX SR-X9000 is a top-tier electrostatic headphone that excels at revealing fine detail, ambient cues, and instrumental nuance, delivering an exceptionally transparent and spacious soundstage. It offers outstanding speed, transient response, and realism, making it ideal for classical and spatially demanding music. However, it requires a dedicated energizer/driver unit, pushing the total system cost far beyond the already steep headphone price.

  • Pro:Exceptional detail retrieval and transparency
  • Pro:Huge, three-dimensional soundstage with precise imaging
  • Pro:Fast transient response and realistic timbre
  • Con:Requires separate electrostatic driver unit
  • Con:Very high total system cost
  • Con:No noise cancellation or wireless convenience

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparisonAbyss Diana V3 DZ (Carbon)STAX SR-X9000