Edifier STAX Spirit S5: An update to an already good headphone? More than that. Much more.
Pros: Build quality
Mature sound
Changeable pads
Battery life
Fit
Better app experience
Bass could be too much for some
Slightly rounded treble note
Not all like the planar sound?
Cons: No ANC
Not as well-known as competing brands
Cost (for some)
Edifier STAX Spirit S5 ($499):An update to an already good headphone? More than that. Much more.

Stax S5
Intro:
I
reviewed the Stax Spirit S3 some time ago and came away appreciating
the sound qualities of it, even without ANC involved. The fit was good,
and the build even with the plethora of plastic was good. Personally, I
do not think it received the acclaim it should have. It was and is still
a very good headphone.
When Edifier contacted me about reviewing
the upcoming release of the S5, I wholeheartedly accepted knowing how
much I liked the S3. The unit is mine to keep unless asked back for, and
the review will list positives and negatives for good or ill. The
review is my words and mine alone. If the start is anything to go off
of, this will be a bang-up unit!
The unit was played with music
for more than 75 hours to ascertain how it sounds “down the road”
instead of new. This is the way I have always done it, and will not
change.
I thank Edifier and Lesley for providing the review unit.

Specs:
Bluetooth: V5.4
Bluetooth Range: 10m
Audio
Codecs: Snapdragon Sound, LHDC, LDAC, Qualcomm® aptX Lossless,
Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, Qualcomm® aptX, LHDC,
LDAC, AAC, SBC
Sound Pressure Level: 94 ± 3dBSPL(A)
Frequency Response: 10Hz-40kHz
Battery Life: Around 80hrs
Input: DC 5V ⎓ 2A
In The Box:
Edifier STAX Spirit S5
Carrying case
3.5mm aux cable
USB-C to USB-A cable
Mesh & leather ear pads
Owner’s manual

Gear Used/Compared:
HiBy R4
iPhone 13 Pro Max
MBP
B&W Px8
Edifier WH950NB
HiFiMan Edition XS
Songs used:
Tidal- pop, jazz, big band, female vocal
Qobuz-same as above


Tech Highlights:
The STAX Spirit
S5’s planar magnetic driver features a flat, thin diaphragm with
embedded wires, suspended in the magnetic gap. The diaphragm moves in a
piston-like manner across the entire frequency spectrum due to this
design. The diaphragm is light and purportedly has good transient
response.
Edifier addresses the uneven distribution of the
magnetic field, which can happen with other planar magnetic drivers who
use wires of varying widths on the diaphragm, with a proprietary
solution. With EqualMass™, Edifier takes the approach further.
Connecting different numbers of wires with the same
width in parallel, the EqualMass™ achieves a uniform driving force for
all parts of the diaphragm while keeping its weight evenly distributed.
This allows the diaphragm to move back and forth with the same motion
and momentum, which reduces harmonic distortion to (purportedly) almost
zero. In the 2nd gen of EqualMass™ wiring, the symmetric wiring
structure further enhances the diaphragm’s stability across the entire
frequency spectrum.
To ensure uniformity in the magnetic field
distribution across each planar magnetic driver, Edifier also developed a
proprietary automatic toolset for calibrating and adjusting the magnet
circuitry during production. This meticulous process guarantees that
every set of S5 headphones delivers sound fidelity identical to the
“golden sample” crafted by them. Essentially these specialized tools
keep production uniform across the board.
In addition to LDAC and
LHDC, the S5 also supports all audio codecs under the Snapdragon Sound
Technology Suite, including aptX™ HD, aptX™ Adaptive, and aptX™
Lossless. It achieves a bitrate of up to 1.2 Mbps in Bluetooth® mode,
delivering high-resolution (24-bit/96kHz) and end-to-end low-latency
audio. It also supports the AAC codec for iOS devices.
Snapdragon
sound using the Qualcomm® QCC5181 BT chip allows for lossless audio
(aptX lossless) and surround sound-like experiences on devices so
equipped. Low-latency gaming mode helps carry a true spatial awareness
sound along with rapid response between the source and S5.
*I did
find a latency problem when using the R4/S5 in BT mode, with a
noticeable delay between voice and screen images during videos. This was
quelled with repeated use and adjusting some of the menus listed below.
After adjusting, the issue disappeared.

Unboxing:
The S5 comes with the same
high-quality unboxing experience as the S3 did. A slide-out box mimics
old reference books to me, and the feel is quite good. The outer
box/sleeve also carries all of the requisite information, including a
nice side shot of the S5. Tasteful and thankfully lacking too many
distractions.
In the inner box, which has a lift-off cover, you
are met with the S5, in a new case (more on that in a bit), surrounded
by the mesh alternate pads in their sheath and the “accessories” box;
which carry the USB-C and 3.5mm aux cable. The lambskin pads are mounted
already.
Opening the case, you are met with the folded S5s and a
movable padded shelf to hold the headband horizontally. There is also a
curved pad, which goes between the two cups to prevent scarring. I
found that curved pad nice, but somewhat of a bother to continually
place properly. My gut tells me that most will forego that pad in daily
use.
A nice inclusion is an earpad pick that looks quite like a
guitar pick. Using this instead of the usual pulling of the pad to
disengage from the earcup, I find this an excellent inclusion. While I
have never ripped an earpad removing them, it only takes once…

Design:
The S5 mimics the S3
somewhat having an oval shape, but looks more refined to me. The outer
earcup carries a genuine cowhide cover to help the user grasp the unit.
Since most of us grab the sides, to me it is more ornamental and
prevents the unit from looking too glossy. There are no touch controls
on the cover like many manufacturers are moving to, but I do not mind.
The S5 exudes a higher-end look and feel to it, while still using a good amount of plastic to keep weight down.
The
oval shape of the ear cups may be a bit narrow for some with larger
ears, but I found the unit to be quite comfortable for long listening
sessions. The thicker pads helped with that comfort level. And yes, the
mesh pads are much cooler to wear. Using the pick to take the earpads
off was easy and I appreciated the effort put in to protect the pads and
earcups. Putting the mesh pads on was not quite so straightforward,
though.
Instead of having slots to press the nubs into, there are
raised areas, which coincide with the nubs. I found the easiest way to
put pads on was to align the pad to the cup, and then press evenly
across the whole pad. Once I figured that out, changing became much
easier.
The slider moves quietly, and with a slight detent to it,
which keeps the headphones in place. With a thinner band, I do wish for
a bit more padding on the underside, but it never felt uncomfortable.
The only pressure I felt was some under my ear where the bottom of the
ear pad contacts. The shape of the unit when worn could be to blame, and
the vertical spring of the ear cup within the yoke could be a little
lower. That said, if it were, the clamping pressure might be a bit low
to hold the headphones in place. A tradeoff I can accept the S5 the way
it is.
The headband is a glossy metal, which carries
fingerprints, unfortunately. A satin finish might hide those prints
better, but this is the only place I found to be fingerprint-prone. The
lettering and engraving of “Edifier” and “Stax Spirit” are tasteful,
helping keep the upscale look to it.
A vent cutout lies on top of
each ear cup, in concert with the overall look and feel, help to
relieve pressure when you put on or take off the S5.

Controls:
The controls on the Stax
Spirit S5 are rudimentary with the usual three-button cluster for
play/pause, skip, and repeat, as well as volume levels. There’s also a
Bluetooth pairing button for connecting with other devices. The
Bluetooth pairing button also functions as a Mode switch. A single press
cycles through the EQ presets, while two presses put the headphones in
gaming mode for a low latency of 87ms.
Pressing the center button
once allows the user to answer or hang up a phone call, while two
presses of the same button will decline the call.
The S5 can pair
with two BT devices simultaneously, which allows the user to answer
phone calls on their Smartphone, and play music on their computer or
another device (except as noted below).
On a TWS headphone at
this price, you might expect more controls, or touch/swipe controls, but
Edifier kept it simple for a reason, so you do not have to worry too
much about the controls. I like that approach.

Battery:
During the break-in period,
I did not charge the S5 allowing it to run on BT for 75 hours. I used
the R4 plugged in so that it did not run out of battery power. I used
one of my SD cards set on random for the duration. I then charged the
unit upon completion of the burn-in for the testing. The unit showed 5%
when plugged in and I opened the app on my iPhone, lending credence to
the 80 hours.
During the test, I did not charge the unit and hit
75 hours again of listening. I used the USB-C to USB-C cable, which did
charge the unit while I listened. As such, the unit still had plenty of
battery left at the end of the testing period.

App:
The new EDIFIER ConneX app can be used on Android or iOS and is a completely new app from the EDIFIER Connect app.
The
app is rudimentary at first glance, with four choices for EQ settings,
labeled “sound effects.” You can also put the device into gaming mode
for a lower latency response on games and videos. But underneath the
layers are where the fun begins.
By clicking on the nut next to
the name on the front page, you are presented with multiple options
ranging from the user manual to customizing controls, HD audio codec
LDAC & LHDC, multipoint connection, Bluetooth settings, and the
factory settings (reset).
Multipoint connection must be enabled
via a toggle for the function to work, and for good reason. Bandwidth
limitations using BT do not allow for it to be engaged when setting
either LDAC or LHDC on their highest sampling rate. Setting each of
those sampling rates focuses the energy on providing the best audio
quality being played, and this takes precedence over multiple connected
devices.
A nice feature of the customized EQ effects gives the
user an option to tailor the four-band settings. If you prefer, you can
leave the four at 100Hz, 2000mHz, 4000Hz, and 8000Hz (+/-3dBs). By
touching the numbered rectangle button, you can customize each
bandwidth. Yes, it is only four bands, but customizing for specific
tastes comes across as a positive to me. The Q-factor can be adjusted on
all four bandwidths as well, giving essentially a customizing tool for
attack and decay at each band. The larger the Q-factor, the narrower the
bandwidth (the effect on that particular bandwidth), and vice versa.
The range goes from 0.5-2.0, with the default settings at 0.7.






Bluetooth:
BT5.4 connection was straightforward, allowing two devices to be connected without issue when the switch was on within the app.
Sound Impressions:
All
sound impressions were made on an iPhone 13 Pro Max, MBP, or HiBy R4
using both BT and wired connections of USB-C, or 3.5mm aux.
Summary:
The
S5 betters the STAX S3 in most categories, save for deep-reaching bass.
The S5 carries the lows with aplomb and authority; just not quite as
deeply. The rest of the signature more than makes up for that, with
smooth, rich mids carrying songs, while vocals sound vibrant and have
plenty of character. The soundstage comes across as representative of a
mostly cubic form, with none of the dimensions carrying too far.

Timbre:
The lambskin pads fill the
sound with a smoother character as expected but it never becomes mushy
or soft. There is plenty of detail to be had across the spectrum, and I
especially like how the mids carry that smoothness tying both ends
together.
Deeper-reaching bass notes carry good weight and
authority, without becoming bloated or overbearing. There is some bleed
into the mids, but that does not overshadow the character of either.
This can be changed by using the four sound effect modes, which alter
what you will hear. In original mode, the sound is vibrant and detailed, while dynamic mode does the same but with the bass bleed mentioned above while pushing the signature forward.
Monitor
mode comes across as analytical, like it should but I find it loses its
three dimensional shape in response. The sound is clean, crisp, and
clear but too much the other way for my tastes. As a result, I bounced
between original and dynamic.
The speed of
notes might seemingly truncate notes, making them thinner; but using the
EQ settings helps to quell those fears. Note weight carries on the
planar design, providing good heft without becoming slow. The note decay
helps to keep the traditional facets of a planar design in slowing the
character, but the EqualMass™ design shows that the terms speed and
accuracy can come about in a portable TWS planar headphone.

Staging & Dynamics:
The
soundstage varies across the four sound effect modes enough to make a
difference, but not enough to diminish the sound coming out of each.
Dynamic spread the sound across the three dimensions the most to me,
filling space the most as you might expect. Monitor mode on the other hand lost width and depth to my ears.
Call it a case of Goldilocks And The Three Bears.
Cabled audio:
BT
sound has come quite far, and the BT 5.4 used on the S5 is no
different. But while the gap is shrinking between cabled and BT in
models such as this, there is still some catching up to do.
Using
the USB-C to USB-C on my MBP (I used another cable than the one
provided), I could tell the difference. Instrument separation was a bit
better, with those that might fade into the background a bit on BT
coming forth with good results. Layering became a bit more complex as
well, which combined with the instrument separation makes for a
headphone that would fit right into the cabled market.
The S5
when cabled using the USB-C to USB-C sounds like a more mature version
of the S3, with better detail retrieval and a cohesion of the sound,
which I find more enticing as well. The S5 will also charge from the
source it is connected to while using the USB cable, but not while using
the 3.5mm aux cable. When disconnecting either cable, the S5’s default
is to turn off (complete with a vocal message), so going back to BT the
unit must be turned back on.

Pairings:
When using the highest
sampling rate, you cannot connect two devices, which is a real
limitation for me. However, the opposite side of that is excellent sound
quality when you use the highest sampling rates.
I found that I equally liked all three sources used but for different reasons. The HiBy R4
has some limitations but paired exceptionally well with the S5. Taking
advantage of the Class-A amplifier and the BT 5.4 made for a wonderfully
deep reaching low end, vibrant mids, and a smooth top end. To me, it
represented a typical planar sound. Using either original or dynamic EQ settings afforded me a quality that is on par with some of the best TWS headphones to date.
Paired
with my iPhone 13 Pro Max was typical of a smartphone-connected BT
headphone, and I enjoyed the sound almost as much as the R4. Not quite
as vibrant, but equally deep; the limitations of the Apple device did
stand out. This is where the Android-based HiBy shone better to me.
For
my MBP, I used the cabled connection exclusively, and mostly the USB-C
to USB-C cable. The differences are noted above in sound quality, and
going back and forth between the R4 and MBP allowed me to enjoy the best
of both worlds.
Select Comparisons:
Edifier STAX Spirit S3
Technical:
Comparative Specs:
STAX Spirit S5 (2024) | STAX Spirit S3 (2022) | |
Chipset | Qualcomm QCC5181 | Qualcomm QCC5141 |
Bluetooth version | 5.4 | 5.2 |
CODEC support | Snapdragon Sound, LHDC, LDAC, Qualcomm® aptX™ Lossless, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, Qualcomm® aptX, LHDC, LDAC, AAC, SBC | Snapdragon Sound, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, Qualcomm® aptX™, AAC, SBC |
Driver tech | 2nd gen EqualMass™ Planar Magnetic | EqualMass™ Planar Magnetic |
Driver size | 89mm*70mm | 89mm*70mm |
Playtime | 80 hours | 80 hours |
Charging | USB-C, 5V ⎓ 2A | USB-C, 5V ⎓ 1.5A |
EQ Presets | Original Mode/ Dynamic Mode/ Monitor Mode/ Customized Mode | Pure Mode/ HiFi Mode/ STAX Mode |
Microphone | Dual -mic with noise suppression | Single mic with noise suppression |
Frequency Response | 10Hz-40kHz | 20Hz~40KHz |
Sound Pressure Level | 94 ± 3dBSPL(A) | 94 ± 3dBSPL(A) |
Earpads | Lambskin, Cool mesh memory foam/gel | Lambskin, Cool mesh memory foam/gel |
App support | EDIFIER ConneX | EDIFIER Connect |
Dimension (L x W x H mm) | 316x274x171mm | 208x110x255mm |
Weight | 347g | 329g |
Price | $499.99 | $399 |
Data chart courtesy of Neowin’s review.
Design:
The
S3 comes across with a more budgetary look but is still of good
quality. The overall look seems to be more edgy, too. The headband has
aluminum slide-outs for adjustment, which look a bit pedestrian
comparatively. Two sets of pads are included so personalizing is similar
to the S5. The lambskin pads seem a smidge thinner on the S3 as well.
Where
the S5 may be oriented towards home listening first, the S3 might go
the opposite direction, and be meant for portable use first.
The
build quality is good but is a step down from the S5. The headband can
creak while adjusting or putting on and taking off, which has been
corrected on the S5.
Performance:
The
biggest difference between the two is the soundstage becomes larger
overall and better detail retrieval & imaging. This gives the
listener the ability to better place the instruments while allowing the
music to better fill the space.
Bass hits just as hard but with
better control. There is a more mature sound on the S5, and this may or
may not be what you want. Call it moving “upscale” in sound quality. The
engineers listened, making the overall package better in sound
qualities to me. Where the S3 carries a certain edge to the song, the S5
comes across as more developed. I still like the edginess of the S3,
and find it a very nice compliment to others within this price bracket,
but there is no denying that the S5 is aiming higher.

B&W Px8
When I reviewed the Px8,
I did so in concert with the WH1000XM5 and Bathys. I found the Bathys
to have the best overall sound, the 1000XM5 to have the best ANC out,
and the Px8 my favorite choice because it combines both. If I had to
choose one, it would have been the Sony for the pure economy of choice,
but I have sent that my son’s way and kept the Px8.
Technical:
With
a 40mm dynamic driver and a limited run time of 30 hours, you can
easily see how far the market has come. You can also run the Px8s with
either the USB-C cable or 3.5mm aux cable, similar to the S5.
The
Px8 also carries four microphones strictly for ANC control, and two to
be used for phone calls. The ANC of the Px8 does fall behind the
class-leading Sony & Sennheiser, but the main focus similar to the
S5 is on the audio quality.
Design:
Everything
about the Px8 exudes luxury. From its weight (it is quite hefty) to the
materials used and craftsmanship, the B&W promotes the high-end
quality the company is known for.
The gorgeous burnished metal
pairs very well with the black leather and black metal parts of the ear
cups and stanchions. The padded leather of the ear cups envelop your
ears like a fine evening chair in which you take your scotch. That
superb fit and finish carry over into the one-piece headband, which
could use a bit more plushness to it. While the headband is smooth, I do
wish for a bit more padding.
Adjusting the headband is by look
since there are no marks or detents. While I appreciate the simplicity,
getting the two sides even is an exercise in judgment. One I would
prefer to be perfect. Not a big deal when taken as a whole, and short of
spending four figures, the Px8 is the most luxurious TWS headphone out
currently. That said, I feel I could wear the S5 for longer periods
without bother, whether it be due to the better cushioning or lighter
weight. Regardless, the Px8 was acceptable, while the S5 is exemplary.
Performance:
The
deep-reaching bass of the Px8 is either its highlight or panacea
depending upon who you talk to. Some like the deep sub-bass, while
others find it intrudes into the wonderful mids. This can of course be
EQ’d out in BT mode. I prefer a solid bassline with good reach, and the
Px8 delivers that.
The mids come across as smooth and rich,
especially female vocals. This does not hinder the top end either as
there is good reach. The mids can be a bit too far forward, which some
may not like. The soundstage is among the best out there as well, with
no cramped feeling as all parts were allowed to expand in three
dimensions.
This was the first headphone where I could see the
gap between wired sound and BT sound closing. When using a USB-C to
USB-C connection, there is a certain holography to the sound, which does
not occur on BT. I also note that I had to raise the volume while wired
to achieve the same seat-of-the-pants level.
If pure sound is
what you want, along with ANC that is fairly adequate, the Px8 is one at
which to look. Its battery life cannot hold a candle to the S5 (80hrs
vs 30hrs) but it also (used to) costs a pretty penny more than the S5
and is going on 2+ years old. Since the price now falls right in line
with the S5, that might be a fairly tough decision. The BT performance
and USB-C audio performance of the S5 can certainly hold its own,
though.

HiFiMan Edition XS
Yes, the
Edition XS is a wired headphone, but it also carries a planar driver. An
older model now replaced with a much more expensive model, the Edition
XS carries a smooth signature, lightweight at 405g, and a very good fit.
You can even use the HiFiMan Bluemini BT module to make it a wireless
headphone, so the comparison is valid in my opinion.
Technical:
With
a frequency response of 8Hz-50kHz, the Edition XS promotes a broad
spectrum with which the music can play. The lower impedance of 18Ω and a
sensitivity of 92dB make it easier to drive, but you need good power to
make it sound its best.
The weight of 14.28Oz (405g) makes it exceptionally light, but that does come as a cost in the construction.
Design:
While
the Edition XS is indeed light in weight, it is not the best-looking
headphone out and looks (and feels) rather cheap. HiFiMan went through a
phase where the sound mattered first (IMO) and the quality was second. I
think they got the user’s message and newer models are more in line
with our desires and expectations. The model I have is the older
version, and while I like the look, it carries a low-end feel and build.
The
ear cups are large and cavernous. So much so that fit might be an issue
with the headphone sliding around, were it not for the tighter clamp
pressure. The oval shape does allow the headphone to sit comfortably for
long periods.
The headband creaks like a wooden ship on a
November Lake Superior storm. The silver coating on the earcups is
fading away like the coating on a Bic pen might, too. Adjusting the
headphone is clunky, and feels low-end as well. I wish for better
quality materials all around, especially knowing the cost of these
rivals Beats or Bose offerings at the time. But…the sound…
Performance:
The
sound coming forth makes up for the budgetary mindset of everything
else to me. As an open-air headphone, this isn’t a fair competition, but
when you consider the driver’s price and makeup of the driver it makes
sense. A larger driver as well.
Open sounding while providing
decent reach down low, the Edition XS carries a spacious sound that
allows the layering to show through. The sound isn’t thinner
comparatively, but rather a bit speedier and less smooth. Succinct note
weight provides an accuracy that the S5 cannot match. However,
considering that the S5s tune is smoother and richer, that does not
matter much.
This will come down to whether you want the
portability at an expense, or a sound that is quite inviting, with
sub-par build quality and a lack of portability. Suffice it is to say
that I like both.

finale:
The STAX Spirit S3 was a
quality offering, showing that Edifier intended to move upscale. The
sound was a solid alternative to others on the market, and the price
placed it as a real alternative to those offerings. The STAX Spirit S5
builds upon the foundation of the S3, moving upscale even more.
What
shortcomings I had with the S3 (creaky headband, good but not great
materials) have been mostly corrected on the S5. The simplicity of use,
gorgeous laidback looks, and USB-C sound that makes one forget this is a
BT headphone make all the difference to me. I find that compared to the
B&W Px8, the S5 can hold its own earning a place in the upper
reaches of BT headphones with excellent build, quality build materials, a
better app experience, and the sound to back it all up.
If your
device can support Snapdragon sound, that is an even greater advantage.
The choice of having higher bitrates at the expense of dual connectivity
is somewhat odd until you realize that isolating the sound to ensure
the quality makes sense. I do wish it could do both, but can accept the
limitations because the headphones are so good.
The Edifier STAX
Spirit S5 is a very good headphone in the BT market and one that can
handle cabled audio at the price with some very good alternatives. I
recommend that you give the S5 a listen if you are in the market for
something such as this.

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