Over-Ear
Dan Clark Audio Stealth
88Outstanding
$4499
Full review dataDan Clark Audio Stealth vs STAX SR-009S: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Dan Clark Audio Stealth comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Dan Clark Audio Stealth - Outstanding overall at around $4499.
Over-Ear
STAX SR-009S
88Outstanding
$3290
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Dan Clark Audio Stealth
Sound9.5
Value6.0
STAX SR-009S
Sound9.5
Value6.0
Specifications
| Spec | Dan Clark Audio Stealth | STAX SR-009S |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $4499 | $3290 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2018 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | electrostatic |
| Driver size | 76 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | - | 5Hz-42kHz |
| Impedance | 23 Ω | 145000 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 101 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 415 g | 589.67 g |
| USB-C | No | - |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
What reviewers said
Dan Clark Audio Stealth
The Dan Clark Audio Stealth is a premium closed-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers a highly refined, natural sound with impressive technical performance. It stands out among closed-back models for its clarity, detail, and smoothness, though it requires a powerful amplifier to reach its full potential, particularly for bass response. Its flagship-level build quality and included accessories further cement its status as a top-tier option.
- Pro:Exceptional clarity and detail retrieval
- Pro:Natural, smooth tonal balance
- Pro:Flagship build quality and accessories
- Con:Very power-hungry; needs a strong amp
- Con:Bass impact may be limited without ample power
- Con:Very high price point
STAX SR-009S
The STAX SR-009S is a premium electrostatic headphone that refines the original SR-009 formula with a slightly smoother, less bright tuning while retaining exceptional speed, detail, and openness. It offers a wide, precisely imaged soundstage and a very comfortable fit, making it a top-tier choice for critical listening, though it demands high-quality recordings and a dedicated amplifier system to shine. Its performance places it among the very best headphones available, with only the newer X9000 potentially edging it out in some respects.
- Pro:Extremely fast and detailed electrostatic sound
- Pro:Wide, immersive soundstage with precise imaging
- Pro:Comfortable fit despite large earcups
- Con:Very revealing of poor-quality recordings
- Con:Requires specialized electrostatic amplifier, adding cost and complexity
- Con:High price point limits accessibility
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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