Over-Ear
Audio-Technica Narukami
78Great
$3452
Full review dataAudio-Technica Narukami 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.
Over-Ear
STAX SR-X9000
88Outstanding
$5050
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Audio-Technica Narukami
Sound8.5
Value5.0
STAX SR-X9000
Sound9.5
Value5.0
Specifications
| Spec | Audio-Technica Narukami | STAX SR-X9000 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $3452 | $5050 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2024 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | electrostatic |
| Driver size | 53 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-45kHz | 5Hz-42,000Hz |
| Impedance | 60 Ω | 145000 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 395 g | 432 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
What reviewers said
Audio-Technica Narukami
The Audio-Technica Narukami over-ear headphones pair a robust 53mm dynamic driver with a lightweight 395g build, offering a wide 5Hz-45kHz frequency response and a 60-ohm impedance that suits high-end wired setups. Praised for their luxurious construction and consistently engaging sound, they deliver a refined, top-tier listening experience that prioritizes craftsmanship and musical enjoyment over conventional value. While the matching amplifier is often used with these headphones, the 600-ohm setting is frequently preferred for optimal performance, though the standalone headphones remain a compelling choice for discerning audiophiles.
- Pro:Exceptional build quality and premium materials
- Pro:Wide frequency response captures fine detail
- Pro:Comfortable weight for extended sessions
- Con:Very high price limits accessibility
- Con:Requires high-quality amplification to shine
- Con:Impedance may not suit all sources
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.
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