Edifier recently introduced a new wireless over-ear headphone, the Stax Spirit S5 Wireless Planar, which is the second product released by Edifier since acquiring the Japanese brand Stax in 2012. The previous product, the Stax Spirit S3, was the first release after the acquisition.
Stax Spirit S5: High-quality wireless headphones
The Stax Spirit S5 features second-generation EqualMass wiring technology, a diaphragm with a thickness of just 2μm, and a new calibration approach to the planar drivers, which Edifier claims delivers a performance on par with Stax’s legendary electrostatic headphones. Powered by the Qualcomm QCC5181 Snapdragon Sound Bluetooth audio SoC, the new Spirit S5 also delivers an extensive range of wireless connectivity options.
Edifier acquired Stax in 2012, taking ownership of the 80-plus year-old Japanese audio brand known for developing the very first electrostatic headphones. To expand the brand’s legacy with modern technology, Edifier needed to improve the efficiency of planar drivers to create practical wireless headphones that met the expectations of today’s consumers. Edifier released the original Stax Spirit S3 wireless over-ear headphones in 2022 , subsequently utilizing patented planar magnetic technologies licensed from Audeze, paired with a Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound Bluetooth 5.2 platform with aptX HD.
The new Stax Spirit S5 is also a magnetostatic headphone with planar drivers, but the drivers have been further refined. The addition of the latest Bluetooth V5.4 technology and a compact and portable form factor. As the company explains, the new 2μm thin-film and second-generation EqualMass wiring technology are capable of generating a performance comparable to electrostatic headphones. The technology builds on headphone maker Audeze’s original Fluxor magnet structure, Uniforce diaphragm and Fazor phase management, to perfect Edifier’s EqualMass diaphragm with new wiring technology.
In other headphones with planar magnetic drivers, it is common to address the uneven distribution of the magnetic field by using wires of different widths on the diaphragm, with the aim of achieving a uniform driving force across the entire diaphragm, ensuring consistent performance. Edifier went one step further with EqualMass. By connecting a different number of wires of the same width in parallel, EqualMass achieves a uniform driving force to all parts of the diaphragm while keeping the weight evenly distributed. This allows the diaphragm to move back and forth with the same motion and momentum, reducing harmonic distortion to almost zero. In the 2nd generation of EqualMass wiring, Edifier introduced a patented symmetrical wiring structure, which further improved the stability of the diaphragm across the entire frequency spectrum.
To further ensure uniformity in the distribution of magnetic field strength across each planar magnetic driver, Edifier also developed a patented automatic toolset for calibrating and compensating the magnetic circuit during production. This proprietary process ensures that each individual Spirit S5 delivers sound quality identical to the original reference unit designed by the designer.
Edifier Stax Spirit S5: Latest Bluetooth Technology
In addition to high-resolution LDAC and LHDC audio codecs, the S5 model now supports all audio codecs under the Snapdragon Sound technology suite, including aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, and aptX Lossless. By utilizing the maximum Bluetooth potential with a bitrate of up to 1.2 Mbps, high resolution up to 24-bit/96 kHz and end-to-end low-latency audio are possible. The platform also supports the AAC codec, improving compatibility with a wider range of devices and longer battery life.
Thanks to aptX Adaptive codecs, the Stax Spirit S5 achieves an end-to-end latency of just 89ms in Bluetooth wireless mode, meaning the audio experience is also synchronized with any action displayed on a screen. And because it is an updated Bluetooth 5.4 design, the Stax Spirit S5 supports simultaneous connection with two Bluetooth audio devices (multipoint) and supports Google Fast Pair with recent Android devices. The 1,500 mAh battery provides approximately eighty hours of music enjoyment.
Ediefier Stax Spirit S5: wired connection
For users who don’t want to rely solely on wireless Bluetooth, the Stax Spirit S5 also support wired analog 3.5mm jack cables and a USB-C mode, which allows for direct digital connection to high-resolution audio players and compatibility with modern smartphones.
In terms of construction, Edifier has improved the overall design lines of the original S3 model, making the Stax Spirit S5 headphones even more refined and modern. The S5 is equipped with lambskin-covered ear cushions. The exterior of the ear cups is decorated with top-quality cowhide leather. The ergonomic design ensures a snug and secure fit for long-term use.
