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

Specifications

Specification comparison of Abyss Diana V3 TC (Carbon) vs STAX SR-X9000
SpecAbyss Diana V3 TC (Carbon)STAX SR-X9000
TypeOver-EarOver-Ear
Price (USD)$4495$5050
HearWiki score84 / 100 · Great88 / 100 · Outstanding
Released20242021
Audio
Driverplanarelectrostatic
Driver size63 mm-
Drivers per side22
Frequency response5Hz-50kHz5Hz-42,000Hz
Impedance69 Ω145000 Ω
Sensitivity90 dB/mW-
Wireless
Multipoint pairing-No
Features
Active noise cancelling-No
Design
Weight2268 g432 g
USB-CNo-
Model codeDiana TC Signature-

What reviewers said

Abyss Diana V3 TC (Carbon)

The Abyss Diana V3 TC is a premium open-back planar headphone that pairs a sleek, lightweight frame with remarkably transparent, high-resolution sound. Its 63mm drivers deliver swift, articulate bass and excellent detail retrieval, though it truly shines with a capable amplifier. While it's a costly investment, the combination of refined comfort and technical performance makes it a standout in the high-end portable arena.

  • Pro:Exceptional transparency and detail retrieval
  • Pro:Fast, articulate bass response
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for its class
  • Con:Requires a powerful amplifier to perform ideally
  • Con:Very high price point
  • Con:No noise cancellation or wireless features

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 TC (Carbon)STAX SR-X9000