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

Specifications

Specification comparison of Abyss Diana V3 MR (Carbon) vs STAX SR-X9000
SpecAbyss Diana V3 MR (Carbon)STAX SR-X9000
TypeOver-EarOver-Ear
Price (USD)$2995$5050
HearWiki score84 / 100 · Great88 / 100 · Outstanding
Released20242021
Audio
Driverplanarelectrostatic
Driver size63 mm-
Drivers per side12
Frequency response5Hz-55kHz5Hz-42,000Hz
Impedance30 Ω145000 Ω
Sensitivity93 dB/mW-
Wireless
Multipoint pairingNoNo
Features
Active noise cancellingNoNo
Design
Weight2268 g432 g
Detachable cableYes-
USB-CNo-
Model codeDiana MRx-

What reviewers said

Abyss Diana V3 MR (Carbon)

The Diana V3 MR is a high-end planar headphone that delivers a rich, engaging sound with impressive bass depth, clear mids, and extended treble. It's notably efficient for a planar, working well even with portable sources, while offering a wide, well-imaged soundstage. Despite its premium performance, the headphone's heavy weight and comfort issues, along with a proprietary cable connector, are notable drawbacks.

  • Pro:Efficient planar that works with portable sources
  • Pro:Rich, detailed sound with strong bass and treble extension
  • Pro:Excellent imaging and spacious soundstage
  • Con:Heavy and can cause comfort issues over time
  • Con:Headband padding could be better
  • Con:Proprietary cable connector limits aftermarket options

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 MR (Carbon)STAX SR-X9000