Edifier Stax Spirit S5

The compact design of the Edifier Stax Spirit S5 weighs 350 grams and can be folded up to save space during transport, with a sturdy hard case included. Despite the closed design, the system’s heat development stayed within acceptable limits. The fit is neither loose nor too tight, meaning that these planar headphones can be worn comfortably for long periods of time without slipping during mobile use.

Like the previous model, the Edifier Stax Spirit S3, this new flagship model also comes with two ear pad variants. While the pre-assembled option is covered with lambskin leather and provides greater shielding, the fabric alternative is made of cool mesh, making them more breathable. In addition to quite a few plastic elements, the ear cups have cowhide leather surfaces, which provide an appealing contrast both visually and to the touch. Lambskin leather is used for the earpiece padding.

Comparison: Stax Spirit S3 and Stax Spirit S5

There are major differences in the selection of audio codecs. While the first generation relied exclusively on the aptX family with aptX, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive, the successors have considerably broader selection and expand the repertoire to include the AAC format as well as aptX Lossless, LDAC and LHDC. New features, including the Snapdragon sound platform and the latest Bluetooth standard, are also supported. While both models enable multipoint connections with two devices simultaneously, the second generation also includes Google Fast Pair for quickly connecting Android devices.

These planar-magnetic Bluetooth headphones do not feature Active Noise Cancellation or a transparency mode. Conceptually, everything seems to be focused on high-quality wireless sound reproduction; this was also reflected in the further development of the drivers with “2nd EqualMass Wiring” technology. The Stax Spirit S5 also gain flexibility thanks to the new EQ section available in the Edifier ConneX app.

The second generation offers additional analogue application options with use via cable, as well as the analogue 3.5mm audio input via the USB-C port. It is not possible to use Parallel Bluetooth operation to use the app. However, you can access the preconfigured sound modes or your own EQ settings via the remote button, as cable operation requires active electronics in both cases.

Battery life

The Edifier Stax Spirit S5 achieved a runtime of just under 77 hours at a high playback volume when using the AAC codec. A fifteen-minute quick charge provided capacity for a further 13 hours, which would be useful when commuting or travelling. Fully charging the battery was also quick and was completed after 100 minutes.

Operation

To control playback, accept, reject and end calls and adjust the volume, a classic set of three buttons is located on the right earpiece, and this also supports navigation for track selection. Initially, it may seem unusual that pressing and holding the minus button will skip forward and the plus button will skip back, but you quickly get used to it. Furthermore, an additional Bluetooth button can be configured via the app; this switches between the sound modes in the factory setting and activates or deactivates the latency-reduced gaming mode. Alternatively, you can select the voice assistant or switch between the customisation options for the ear cushion variants.

Edifier ConneX app

The new app (Android and iOS) for the Stax Spirit S5 allows you to set which pair of ear pads are in use and optimise the listening experience accordingly. Three modes are available for individual sound customisation: “Original”, which is the default setting, “Dynamic” and “Monitor”. In addition, you can use the “Customised” setting to make your own EQ settings, which can be saved as pre-sets and then exchanged directly via the app. However, there is no way of knowing which sound mode is active independently of the app, and this is not a good solution. It would be helpful to have a voice announcement when switching, for example.

In addition to the Bluetooth button, the app can also be used to configure a timer, control playback and adjust the volume.  You can also carry out firmware updates and switch gaming mode and multipoint connections on and off. You can also activate LDAC and LHDC codec variants on Android devices.

Voice quality when making calls

In combination with an iPhone, the voice transmission was perceived as pleasant and very natural. A slight attenuation of wind noise was detectable outdoors, which means that it was a little difficult to understand your own voice in strong gusts. Background noise was also transmitted but was slightly muffled, so communication remained possible. However, better results were achieved with a Snapdragon Sound-compatible Nothing Phone as wind noise, in particular, was filtered more effectively. There were also advantages in terms of speech intelligibility with a busy background, although the voice transmission itself tended to be perceived as somewhat cool and less lively.

Sound – how do the the Edifier Stax Spirit S5 sound?

The basic tuning (original mode) of the Edifier Stax Spirit S5 was extremely powerful, had a subtle basic warmth and sounded appealingly balanced. Although the bass range had a slight emphasis, the bass reproduction never seemed to dominate the sound but supported the playful, spacious presentation in a well-defined and powerful way from below.

The mid-range was also vigourous and gave Dominique Fils-Aimé’s charismatic voice in “Nameless” from the 2018 album of the same name an impressive presence without pushing it too purposefully to the fore. In this respect, there was no immediate, direct sound impression but rather a successful balance of proximity and distance, which effortlessly succeeded in fanning out multi-layered, complex productions with clear contours. The reproduction was also energetic and agile in the upper registers. However, the treble range did not seem too loud or exhausting, especially as sibilants were skilfully rounded off.

The Dynamic mode was geared towards a full, warm sound reproduction and had more substance in the (low) bass range, so tracks such as “Hypnose” (Future Edit) by the techno marching band “Meute” from this year’s studio album “Empor” were reproduced with a noticeably richer foundation. The extended bass range was also impressive on “Kravitz” from the recently released album “Sentir Que No Sabes” by cellist and singer Mabe Fratti, especially as the reproduction conveyed a wonderfully organic listening impression. While the mid-frequency range did not seem quite as energetic as in the original mode, it was reproduced cleanly and in detail with a high sound density; the treble reproduction also seemed present.

On the other hand, the monitor mode provided a fairly neutral tuning that did not emphasise the lower frequency range. In this respect, the bass reproduction seemed leaner and tighter than with the basic sound, but not powerless. It is characterised by a more homogeneous presentation that embedded lead instruments and vocals. The mid-range conveyed a spacious, almost airy impression with precise localisation. In addition, the treble range had a little more radiance, so sibilants were not too prominent but rounded out.

Despite the adjustment when changing the ear pads, slight differences in sound were recognisable. When using the mesh pads, the overall reproduction seemed a little brighter and softer, while the presentation in the upper ranges was somewhat more restrained. In contrast, the leather version conveyed a crisper auditory impression with a sharper contour definition.

Conclusion

The Edifier Stax Spirit S5 was characterised by a precise, detailed and very playful sound reproduction, which can be flexibly adapted to suit your own preferences using the three sound modes or individual EQ settings. The extensive selection of supported audio codecs is remarkable, especially as these portable, planar-magnetic Bluetooth over-ears are easy to connect via USB-C or the 3.5mm audio input. However, there is no provision for Active Noise Cancellation or a transparency mode.