Updated December 01, 2020 by Christopher Thomas
The 8 Best Electrostatic Headphones
This wiki has been updated 9 times since it was first published in January of 2019. Electrostatic headphones operate by passing current through an ultra-thin membrane, providing a highly detailed soundstage with almost unrivaled breadth. In fact, they compete with high-end dynamic drivers and planar magnetic ear speakers for the hearts of devout audiophiles worldwide. While you will need a specialized amplifier, these can offer a nearly unmatched listening experience. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki. Skip to the best electrostatic headphone on Amazon.
This wiki has been updated 9 times since it was first published in January of 2019. Electrostatic headphones operate by passing current through an ultra-thin membrane, providing a highly detailed soundstage with almost unrivaled breadth. In fact, they compete with high-end dynamic drivers and planar magnetic ear speakers for the hearts of devout audiophiles worldwide. While you will need a specialized amplifier, these can offer a nearly unmatched listening experience. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki. Skip to the best electrostatic headphone on Amazon.
8. Stax SRS-002
Pumping pristine sound directly into your ears, the Stax SRS-002 (around $450) do a particularly great job in the middle of the spectrum, perfect for jazz and vocal-forward music. However, they do lack the upper and lower frequency extension of over-ear models.
Excellent at high and low volumes
Use a battery-powered amp
Inexpensive compared to most others
7. Stax Lambda SR-507
The most refined version of a historically popular line, the Stax Lambda SR-507 (about $1226) crank out up to 118 decibels, which is at the very top end of safe listening levels. Their extra-large body and soft leather earcups can make any audio highly immersive.
100-db-per-milliwatt sensitivity
Decent precision for the price
Don't seal perfectly on all heads
6. Stax SR-007A MK2
You won't sacrifice much sound quality with the Stax SR-007A MK2 (appx. $1967), which are a slightly more affordable alternative to the brand's industry-leading cans. They're reasonably sized compared to many others and utilize a 5-pin connector for high-fidelity transmission.
Ideal for classical music
Warm and inviting upper range
Significant bass roll-off
5. Shure KSE1200
A musician's ability to monitor their performance is incredibly important, and the Shure KSE1200 (about $1999) ensure that every single note is heard exactly as it's transmitted. They cost quite a bit for in-ear monitors, but are among the most realistic-sounding around.
Noise isolation is above average
Optional analog or digital dac
Battery life of 12 hours
4. Stax SR-L300
The relatively low price of the Stax SR-L300 (appx. $483) means they're a great choice for those new to this ultra-high-end category. Their significant bass and treble extension and wide soundstage make for a surprisingly realistic sense of depth.
Bright and energetic
Don't weigh very much
Earpads are a little shallow
3. HifiMan Jade II
The immersive quality of the HifiMan Jade II (about $1399) is due, in part, to their massive construction, which covers a large portion of the user's head. Their light weight, plush ear pads, and suspension headband help them stay comfortable for long periods.
Dust-resistant coating
Natural sound profile
Ultra-wide frequency range
2. MrSpeakers Voce by Dan Clark
Designed through years of research and experiments, the unorthodox MrSpeakers Voce by Dan Clark (around $3300) utilize huge 88-millimeter diaphragms combined with a relatively small open area inside to deliver balanced and clear bass response without sacrificing higher details.
Fully sealed housing
Striking appearance
Good for most head sizes
1. Stax SR-009
The Stax SR-009 (about $3099) are regarded as the defining category leaders by many demanding audiophiles, and have been for a while. While quite expensive, their iconic, detailed response and signature, wide soundstage hold up their high reputation.
Distinguished midrange
Sensitive volume dynamics
Clarity across the entire spectrum
Koss ESP950 This pair has been around for quite a while with only minor changes, which makes sense given their longstanding reputation for premium quality. If you're able to get your hands on a pair, you'll be in luck, because they're hard to find but also not that expensive when they are in stock. koss.com
As we've noted before, this can be a highly subjective category, but some of the most available options on the market also happen to be some of the best. You'll notice right away that there are quite a few models from one company on our list.
The Stax SR-009 are probably the most well-known electrostatics out there, and for good reason they're often considered the gold standard. Their slightly lower-priced relatives, the Stax SR-007A MK2, are almost as good, but not quite as lush in the low end. The Stax Lambda SR-507 are a classic pair that's been upgraded over the years, although they're not the most comfortable. If you're not interested in spending an absolute fortune but still want to get into this audiophile hobby, the Stax SR-L300 are almost certainly the choice for you. In fact, some users say they outperform models that cost multiple times as much. We also want to point out that in addition to the headphones themselves, you'll need to get your hands on an official Stax or certified Stax-compatibile amplifier.
Rounding out the over-ear style, the HifiMan Jade II are a good alternative to the popular industry leader, and although their plastic build isn't the most luxurious, it does ensure that they're light and good for long listening sessions. The MrSpeakers Voce by Dan Clark, meanwhile, are some of the only ones to rival the top-of-the-line Stax in terms of quality. Mr. Clark and his engineers have apparently gone all-out on this pair, and received high marks for their success.
All that said, these high-end headphones aren't for everyone. Keep in mind that you'll definitely need a specialized amplifier, and also that these aren't recommended for use in high-humidity regions. If you decide against electrostatics, but still want to experience the finest in headphone sound quality, planar magnetic headphones might be the way to go.
Here's the thing about headphones, especially the really, really expensive ones: there isn't really a "best" pair for everyone, because the listening experience is highly subjective. But we're pretty certain that every audiophile, no matter how picky, will find a suitable model in this list. Plus, for what it's worth, newer doesn't always mean better. Electrostatics have actually been around for decades, though they aren't as well known as dynamic-driven, or even planar magnetic headphones. The Koss, for example, are a 28-year-old design, and to this day hold up as a fantastic (and inexpensive) choice. If you've spoken with your fellow audiophiles at any length on the subject, of course, the Stax SR-009s will undoubtedly have come up in conversation. They're widely seen as the standard by which most others are judged.
Whether you're listening to someone else's recorded guitar solo, or your own, live, while you play it, the Shure in-ears are almost impossible to beat, in terms of comfort and clarity. The Stax ear buds are also great quality, and surprisingly affordable, though they just don't offer the punch of very costly models. The Shures are great for listening to recorded tunes, but they really shine for on-stage musicians such as guitarists, whose instruments fall in the middle range. Stax's Lambda are an old standard, and they are quite good, although the physical shape of the ear cups doesn't play so nicely with everyone's head.
HifiMan's new Jade IIs, on the other hand, potentially offer a seriously massive soundstage — because the cans, themselves, are very, very large. Mitchell and Johnson makes a few hybrid pairs that can sound great with more types of music than standard electrostatics, due to the dynamic drivers inside them which focus on the bass notes. And while there's a good chance that Monoprice's latest offerings sound great on a budget, they're so new that it's difficult to find detailed reviews as to their quality, though the first impressions we've seen are quite positive.
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Last updated on December 01, 2020 by Christopher Thomas