Short answer: the Stax SR-009S. It ranks #113 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $4,545. The Audeze LCD-5 ranks #115, rated 3.6/5, at $4,500, $45 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Stax SR-009S: The open electrostatic design keeps the midrange close to neutral, with the low mids and upper mids each within about 1.4 dB of target in oratory1990’s measurement. The catch: It needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer and cannot be plugged into a normal headphone amp, phone or DAC, which adds substantial cost and limits where it can be used.
What the Audeze LCD-5 does well: The 90mm planar driver keeps the midrange very even in oratory1990’s measurement, with everything from 200 Hz to 6 kHz within 1.5 dB of target and no peak above 0.7 dB between 1.5 and 12 kHz, so vocals sound natural and free of harshness. The tradeoff: A deep 13.8 dB dip near 9.8 kHz leaves the treble nearly 8 dB below target, so cymbals and air sound dull and veiled.
Buy the Stax SR-009S. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $45 with the Audeze LCD-5 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Stax SR-009S | Audeze LCD-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,545.00 | $4,500.00 |
| Ranked | #113 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #115 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 74 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.93 dB standard deviation | 2.85 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.32 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 60 Hz (-9.3 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic | Planar magnetic |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/100V rms | 90 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 42kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | - | 14 ohms |
| Weight | - | 0.9 lbs (420 g) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Stax SR-009S compares with other leading options:
- Audeze CRBN vs Stax SR-009S
- Stax SR-009S vs T+A Solitaire PSE
- Audeze LCD-5 vs T+A Solitaire PSE
- Audeze LCD-5 vs Focal Utopia 2022
- Audeze LCD-5 vs ZMF Caldera Closed
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
Stax SR-009S: $4,545.00 Audio46 eBay
Pros: The open electrostatic design keeps the midrange close to neutral, with the low mids and upper mids each within about 1.4 dB of target in oratory1990’s measurement. It reaches a preference score of 74, and nothing between 1.5 and 12 kHz rises more than 2.2 dB above target, so there is no glare or harsh peak. Listeners who favor a neutral or lean presentation get a clean, uncolored midrange.
Cons: It needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer and cannot be plugged into a normal headphone amp, phone or DAC, which adds substantial cost and limits where it can be used. Sub-bass sits nearly 10 dB below target and falls 9.3 dB short at 30 Hz, so kick drums and synth bass lack weight and rumble. A deep 12.5 dB dip near 6 kHz softens cymbals and detail, and the open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise.
Full Stax SR-009S review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.93 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 42kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 74 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/100V rms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 60 Hz (-9.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +5.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,140 Hz | -4.2 dB | 1.04 |
| Peak | 8,102 Hz | +3.6 dB | 1.17 |
| Peak | 2,342 Hz | +4.4 dB | 3.37 |
| Peak | 5,079 Hz | -5.7 dB | 4.77 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 68 Hz | -1.1 dB | 2.84 |
| Peak | 213 Hz | -0.6 dB | 1.95 |
| Peak | 50 Hz | +1.2 dB | 4.06 |
| Peak | 76 Hz | -0.2 dB | 2.13 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audeze LCD-5: $4,500.00 Apos Audio eBay
Pros: The 90mm planar driver keeps the midrange very even in oratory1990’s measurement, with everything from 200 Hz to 6 kHz within 1.5 dB of target and no peak above 0.7 dB between 1.5 and 12 kHz, so vocals sound natural and free of harshness. It reaches a preference score of 73, and it rates the same as the Abyss AB1-266 Phi TC, which costs more.
Cons: A deep 13.8 dB dip near 9.8 kHz leaves the treble nearly 8 dB below target, so cymbals and air sound dull and veiled. Sub-bass sits about 7 dB low and falls 6 dB short by 47 Hz, which thins kick drums and synth bass. Sensitivity of 90 dB/mW calls for a capable headphone amp, it weighs 420 g, and the open back leaks sound. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Audeze LCD-5 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2021 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.85 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 14 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.32 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (420 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,241 Hz | -5.3 dB | 1.03 |
| Peak | 6,732 Hz | +7.7 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 121 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.31 |
| Peak | 3,769 Hz | -8.3 dB | 1.07 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,190 Hz | +1.1 dB | 3.60 |
| Peak | 2,968 Hz | -0.9 dB | 3.35 |
| Peak | 4,074 Hz | +1.3 dB | 4.83 |
| Peak | 4,981 Hz | -1.1 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons