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 T+A Solitaire PSE ranks #128, rated 3.5/5, and costs $4,890, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Stax SR-009S does well: 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.
Why pick the T+A Solitaire PSE: The large 110 x 80mm planar driver delivers a warm, bass-leaning tuning in oratory1990’s measurement, with the upper bass 1.1 dB and the low mids 2.2 dB above target for a full, rich body on vocals and acoustic instruments. The tradeoff: A peak of about 7.4 dB near 11.4 kHz lifts the air band 5 dB above target while the presence region sits 3.7 dB low, so cymbals can sound splashy even as vocals lose some edge.
Buy the Stax SR-009S. It is rated higher for sound quality than the T+A Solitaire PSE and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Stax SR-009S | T+A Solitaire PSE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,545.00 | $4,890.00 |
| Ranked | #113 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #128 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 74 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.93 dB standard deviation | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.69 (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 42 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic | Planar magnetic |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/100V rms | - |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 42kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 110 x 80mm elliptical planar magnetic |
| Impedance | - | 45 ohms |
| Weight | - | 1 lbs (440 g) |
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- T+A Solitaire PSE vs Yamaha YH-5000SE
- Focal Utopia 2022 vs T+A Solitaire PSE
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.
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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
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T+A Solitaire PSE: $4,890.00 Audio46 eBay
Pros: The large 110 x 80mm planar driver delivers a warm, bass-leaning tuning in oratory1990’s measurement, with the upper bass 1.1 dB and the low mids 2.2 dB above target for a full, rich body on vocals and acoustic instruments. At 45 ohms it runs from most headphone amps without needing extreme power. It suits listeners who prefer warmth over a lean, analytical sound.
Cons: A peak of about 7.4 dB near 11.4 kHz lifts the air band 5 dB above target while the presence region sits 3.7 dB low, so cymbals can sound splashy even as vocals lose some edge. Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by 42 Hz, thinning the deepest rumble. At 440 g it is heavy, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full T+A Solitaire PSE review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 110 x 80mm elliptical planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 45 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.69 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (440 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.6 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 | +6.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,999 Hz | +4.4 dB | 1.91 |
| Peak | 105 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 801 Hz | -1.1 dB | 1.31 |
| Peak | 1,976 Hz | +3.8 dB | 1.53 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -8.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 59 Hz | -1.9 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 42 Hz | +1.2 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 5,241 Hz | +2.3 dB | 5.21 |
| Peak | 47 Hz | +0.4 dB | 1.85 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons