Stax Audio is Introducing the all-new Stax SR-X1 electrostatic earspeakers. Inspired by the legendary SR-1 (first introduced in the 60s), the X1 is the lightest electrostatic headphones and packed with the latest Stax technology.

The second important E3 feature is the all-new 5th generation planar-magnetic driver. According to Dan Clark Audio it delivers the smoothest, richest, and most detailed experience they could create to date. Its innovative diaphragms are made on an all-new tensioning system for a more uniform and consistent performance, lower distortion, and enhanced consistency.

Extensive R&D was spent optimizing E3’s planar driver. New diaphragm materials combined with highly optimized V-Planar knurling deliver a remarkably smooth frequency response with low distortion throughout the listening range for levels of detail heretofore found primarily in the top-of-the-line electrostatics, all with an exceptionally easy and fun tonal balance.

The third and last feature we’re getting into is the Gorilla glass 3 combined with the Dual-Mode bass ports. While it’s not unusual to find a bass port on a closed headphone, DCA states that their ingenious dual-mode port delivers unrivalled control of the bass frequency response, creating a superbly balanced, impactful bass experience that is full of power yet free of bloat or midrange creep.

The Composer weighs in at under 400 grams, which is quite light nowadays for a TOTL headphone. The Composer doesn’t feel like it weighs 385g either, and it is comfortable at all times, even for long listening sessions. The headband does a perfect job of distributing the weight over your head and side pressure of The Composer sits just right. It’s tight enough to move around without having to worry about the headphone sliding of your head. As The Composer comes with a 3m cable, you really will be moving around with it on your head, so that’s a job well-done.

Comfort wise The Composer also comes with tiltable earcups (four positions) to help achieve a flawless fit. As we all know a perfect fit is what you need to get the best possible sound quality and The Composer easily makes that possible. The Austrian Audio design team also chose to attach the cable directly to the headband. This to protect the ears from undue strain. With its large earcups (easily replaceable due to magnetic connection), soft cushioning and excellent headband system, it is one of the most comfortable headphones in my collection.

To begin with, the comfort of the Grado SR325x is exemplary for a headphone in this price range, light with just enough clamping force to keep it secure, and though they are on-ear headphones the foam earpads are high enough density as to not be irritating. The build quality is top notch with the majority of the construction being metal with only the gimbal parts being plastic. The headband itself is metal with a leather jacket making the SR325x the ideal headphone for on-the-go use, though the cable is a little heftier than most portable headphones (one must after all make some sacrifices in the name of sound quality).

When it comes to sound the Grado SR325x provides performance you would expect from a headphone at two to three times the price, dynamic and musical, with a linear neutral tonal balance, and deep bass without boom or bloom and extreme clarity without being bright or abrasive