Planar magnetic units a brand new wi-fi normal

We have been merely blown away after we reviewed Edifier’s flagship headphones — the Stax Spirit S3. Utilizing planar magnetic drivers, the headphones had such a superior sonic high quality that it made the headphones’ determination to forgo ANC not solely justified however higher. Nonetheless spectacular, there’s all the time room for enchancment, which Edifier’s new iteration, the Stax Spirit S5 has executed with flying colours.

After testing for the previous few weeks, I can confidently say that, as an audiophile, these are one of the best wi-fi headphones I’ve listened to. Learn on for the small print.

Editor’s alternative

Edifier Stax Spirit S5

The Edifier Stax Spirit S5 stand out as maybe one of the best wi-fi headphones for devoted music listening available on the market right now. Planar magnetic expertise, and an ultra-wide frequency response vary carry full sound to this new flagship headset.

Professionals

• Crystal clear excessive frequencies and ample bass
• Helps excessive bitrate codecs over Bluetooth
• Will be wired by way of USB on to digital audio system

Cons

• Management buttons are tiny, making inaccurate enter too simple

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How we test and review products at Pocket-lint

We do not do arm-chair analysis. We purchase and take a look at our personal merchandise, and we solely publish purchaser’s guides with merchandise we have really reviewed.

Value, availability, and specs

The Edifier Stax Spirit S5 headphones at the moment are out there on the Edifier web site and on Amazon for $499.99. That price ticket sits properly within the premium tier of wi-fi headphones, nonetheless dearer than the brand new $449 Sonos Ace over-ears, and under the AirPods Max’s typical $549 tag.

The Spirit S5’s standout spec is undoubtedly the planar magnetic drivers, which makes use of a skinny electrically conductive diaphragm sandwiched between magnets to supply a particularly correct sound that’s usually superior to that of a normal dynamic driver.

Moreover, the headphones are outfitted with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor, which permits the headset to deal with a protracted listing of lossless and excessive bit-rate codecs over Bluetooth, together with some unique to Snapdragon, and others extra generally used on client units just like the AAC normal for iPhones.

In the case of battery life, the headphones boast as much as 80 hours, which I discovered to ring true in my testing, and is nice for all-day listening. On high of Bluetooth connection, the Edifier ConneX app permits for extra particular management.

What I appreciated concerning the Stax Spirit S5

A sound like no different

After an preliminary once-over of the Stax Spirit S5’s spec sheet, I used to be already champing on the bit to push them to their limits. I began by listening to some tunes from my iPhone and located the Spirit S5 to be comfy, plush, and straightforward to function. The primary track I performed was my designated “testing highs and lows” observe, which is Above and Past’s We Are All We Want. Zoë Johnston’s angelic vocals have been resonant and clear, and when the bass picked up, I remained impressed by the vary expressed by the planar drivers. I knew, nevertheless, that my iPhone’s AAC codec was setting some limits because it transmits music to the headphones utilizing 16-bit depth at a pattern charge of 44.1 kHz. So, I plugged within the headphones to my PC by way of USB-C and fired up Tidal.

I began listening to M83’s seminal 2011 album Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, on my Home windows PC, and to place it bluntly, I used to be blown away. As Intro began enjoying, I used to be simply sitting there smiling, attempting to fathom that I might hear sound this good from a consumer-focused set of over-ears. There was a “crispness” to the synths and reverb-heavy vocals that I’d usually solely choose up when performed out loud on Hello-Fi audio system. The audio sounded clear in a approach that no set of headphones I’ve examined does.

Whereas the planar expertise won’t ever create the identical air-thumping bass that some wi-fi headphones appear designed for, it made for an general extra balanced soundstage.

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Once I’m testing out new headphones, these are my go-to songs and albums that inform me the whole lot I have to find out about sound high quality.

As Midnight Metropolis performs, the planar drivers carry out precisely as they need to, with unparalleled readability and accuracy. Finally, these headphones deserve the best high quality audio information you may probably feed them.

Construct high quality for days

I’ve now spent hours listening to music on the S5, and I’ve but to search out them uncomfortable. The lambskin earpads are extraordinarily comfy, with simply sufficient cushion to supply stellar passive noise-canceling with out making use of an excessive amount of strain in your ears. There may be some heft to those headphones; they really feel solidly constructed and but comfy for lengthy listening classes.

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Nonetheless, if you happen to do discover that your ears and head warmth up an excessive amount of after prolonged use with the lambskin earpads, the Stax Spirit S5 contains an extra set of earpads made with a cooling mesh. I additionally love that there is an simply adjustable cushioned headband that sits properly and stably on the highest of my head.

What I did not like concerning the Stax Spirit S5

Tiny controls that I will simply by no means use

This can be choosy, however I discovered the controls on the headset troublesome to make use of. The buttons are fairly restricted, every serving a number of features, and are extraordinarily tiny. Nearly each button does one factor if you happen to press it as soon as, one thing else if pressed twice, and but one thing else if pressed and held. It is just too convoluted to be helpful.

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Since I will be utilizing these solely on my PC or iPhone, I can merely press play, pause, subsequent observe, and so on. on the system from which I am enjoying my songs, however for individuals who get pleasure from management over their tracks when their system is of their pocket or out of attain, this could possibly be barely annoying. In the long run, it is definitely not a dealbreaker, as I discover the buttons on the perimeters of modern-day headphones to be principally redundant, although they’re there in a pinch.

Verdict: Must you purchase the Stax Spirit S5?

The Stax Spirit S5 from Edifier are merely one of the best wi-fi headphones I’ve used. I have been carrying them for hours, together with as I write this evaluate. They’ve made listening to music enjoyable in a approach I usually solely expertise when listening to my songs aloud on my Hello-Fi bookshelf audio system.

Editor’s alternative

Edifier Stax Spirit S5

Anybody with a discerning style for high quality audio that is available in the market for a wi-fi headset ought to strongly contemplate these, although they’re definitely a splurge. Edifier continues to point out that they’re a producer to be taken severely, proper alongside names we have a tendency to acknowledge extra stateside, and the Stax Spirit S5 will little doubt find yourself a profitable flagship product for the Chinese language model as phrase of their high quality spreads.