Edifier STAX Spirit S5 (2024)

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:

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.