Edifier STAX SPIRIT S3 Planar Magnetic Wireless Headphones

[VSG]

Edifier introduces the new STAX SPIRIT product line beginning with the S3 that uses custom planar magnetic drivers and Qualcomm technology to bring out a unique set of Bluetooth headphones. It boasts of excellent tuning and detailed sound with two sets of ear pads, a long 80 hour battery life with quick charging, and even app-based customization to make this a highly attractive option for audiophiles on the go.

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[Jomale]

I miss a good ANC and a USER-EQ.
@VSG No audiosample about the mic quality?

 

[VSG]

I miss a good ANC and a USER-EQ.
@VSG No audiosample about the mic quality?

Not my forte tbh, I leave mic recordings to Inle.

 

[webdigo]

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but do they have any kind of IPX water rating?
I need a decent set of BT headphone for travel.

I looked at Anker Soundcore life Q30.

But maybe both serves different purpose?

 

[VSG]

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but do they have any kind of IPX water rating?
I need a decent set of BT headphone for travel.

I looked at Anker Soundcore life Q30.

But maybe both serves different purpose?

I don't belive it's been officially tested, but I don't see anything different this does compared to some other typical IPX4 headphones when using the leather pads.

 

[TomasK]

Hi, great review, it seems I might want to sell my Momentum 3 and get these once they are available in CZ...
I would have two questions if I may: What BT codec was used when measuring them? And are they able to be used wired via USB? So that they play music while charging?

 

[VSG]

Hi, great review, it seems I might want to sell my Momentum 3 and get these once they are available in CZ...
I would have two questions if I may: What BT codec was used when measuring them? And are they able to be used wired via USB? So that they play music while charging?

1) aptX or aptX HD depending on the PC used, there's zero difference for measurements. My actual listening here was mostly done a DAP and my phone with aptX Adaptive.

2) If you plug in the USB port to charge, all it does is charge. You can't play anything while charging. @TomasK, I've updated this reply because I was wrong earlier. I haven't needed to really charge this thing so I just checked for you.

 

[TomasK]

1) aptX or aptX HD depending on the PC used, there's zero difference for measurements. My actual listening here was mostly done a DAP and my phone with aptX Adaptive.

2) If you plug in the USB port to charge, all it does is charge. You can still play it via Bluetooth and it will be charging, those are two mutually exclusively processes. There is no wired playback over USB.

Thanks for the info. Now for suitability of aptX for measurements, I'm no expert, but there is this page with a lot of info about bluetooth codecs including testing and the author found that aptX has staggering -57 dB of noise when playing a 12.4 KHz sine, which I would consider not insignificant. AptX HD decreases the noise to what seems about -70 dB. But that's just when playing a sine wave of a specific frequency designed to cause trouble for the codec. So aptX might be OK for general music listening (it was designed for that) but maybe not for testing signals. Now the difference between wired and wireless in your FR measurements is really very small, insignificant, and might be just normal measurement-to-measurement variance, but what seems to be very slightly more energy in upper treble might just be from the aptX noise (or not, I dunno). Also, the author explains that manufacturers might chose slightly different tuning for each bluetooth codec, to try to overcome its weaknesses, that might also impact bluetooth measurements.
But hey, I'm no expert, your measurements look very good and are very informative, it's just that bluetooth audio is a mess (and I base my opinions on just a few articles on the subject like the one I've linked, so again, I by far do not have all the info/knowledge). Thanks for the review

 

[VSG]

Thanks for the info. Now for suitability of aptX for measurements, I'm no expert, but there is this page with a lot of info about bluetooth codecs including testing and the author found that aptX has staggering -57 dB of noise when playing a 12.4 KHz sine, which I would consider not insignificant. AptX HD decreases the noise to what seems about -70 dB. But that's just when playing a sine wave of a specific frequency designed to cause trouble for the codec. So aptX might be OK for general music listening (it was designed for that) but maybe not for testing signals. Now the difference between wired and wireless in your FR measurements is really very small, insignificant, and might be just normal measurement-to-measurement variance, but what seems to be very slightly more energy in upper treble might just be from the aptX noise (or not, I dunno). Also, the author explains that manufacturers might chose slightly different tuning for each bluetooth codec, to try to overcome its weaknesses, that might also impact bluetooth measurements.
But hey, I'm no expert, your measurements look very good and are very informative, it's just that bluetooth audio is a mess (and I base my opinions on just a few articles on the subject like the one I've linked, so again, I by far do not have all the info/knowledge). Thanks for the review

I get what you mean, and there's definitely still a whole mess when it comes to Bluetooth audio and codecs. But a couple of things regarding that page: 1) it doesn't mention the exact testing conditions (SPL of the playback file, distance between the source and the receiver etc) that can heavily influence things, 2) I measure the FRs at ~80 dB max depending on the type of device it is, and there the noise floor for even AAC on Android is far lower (as also indicated in that page with the reduced aptX noise at lower amplitudes).

Lastly, of course I don't pick up every single peak and dip the artificial ears do but I often have to keep measuring and adjusting the fit/clamping pressure of IEMs/headphones to ensure the measurements match my own listening experience too. This is especially necessary in the lower and middle frequencies.

 

[TomasK]

I get what you mean, and there's definitely still a whole mess when it comes to Bluetooth audio and codecs. But a couple of things regarding that page: 1) it doesn't mention the exact testing conditions (SPL of the playback file, distance between the source and the receiver etc) that can heavily influence things, 2) I measure the FRs at ~80 dB max depending on the type of device it is, and there the noise floor for even AAC on Android is far lower (as also indicated in that page with the reduced aptX noise at lower amplitudes).

Lastly, of course I don't pick up every single peak and dip the artificial ears do but I often have to keep measuring and adjusting the fit/clamping pressure of IEMs/headphones to ensure the measurements match my own listening experience too. This is especially necessary in the lower and middle frequencies.

I think the tests they've done are using local encoding, meaning the signal is not actually transmitted wirelessly. The autor even created a web page that lets you encode audio using SBC, aptX and aptX HD, it's linked somewhere in the middle of the page.

Anyway, again, thanks for all the info. Are you planning on testing the Momentum 4 once they are available?

 

[VSG]

I think the tests they've done are using local encoding, meaning the signal is not actually transmitted wirelessly. The autor even created a web page that lets you encode audio using SBC, aptX and aptX HD, it's linked somewhere in the middle of the page.

Anyway, again, thanks for all the info. Are you planning on testing the Momentum 4 once they are available?

I doubt Sennheiser will be sending a sample tbh, and I can't afford to just buy one either. I asked the local rep and they were already out of samples.

 

[Space Lynx]

80 hour battery life and the best overall BT headphone you have heard?

Damn, I am seriously considering getting these. Deep down I still want top notch ANC if I am spending this much money though, so I am still leaning towards MX5 even if it means losing some sound quality...

 

[TheUn4seen]

I'm a simple man. I glance at the conclusions, see the "app needed..." part and immediately lose all interest. Thanks, Edifier, but I want headphones, not data mining spyware.

 

[Tartaros]

I'm a simple man. I glance at the conclusions, see the "app needed..." part and immediately lose all interest. Thanks, Edifier, but I want headphones, not data mining spyware.

All BT headphones have an app to update the headphone firmware, fine tune some options and maybe some extras. They are meant to be used in phones, of course they are going to have an app.

 

[TheUn4seen]

All BT headphones have an app to update the headphone firmware, fine tune some options and maybe some extras. They are meant to be used in phones, of course they are going to have an app.

Fair enough, if it's only needed for updating the firmware and not to enable and sustain functionality. I use the FIIO BTR5 which also has an app, but I installed it once on a sterile device, configured what I wanted, got rid of it and never had to use it again. That's a reasonable design, having to continuously use data mining crapware just to use a product is not.

 

[Pap1er]

I bought the headphones, connected to my phone via aptX Adaptive codec, hit the play button and got goosebumps all over my body ... It's worth every penny, just get it and donate your old headphones to your family or other relatives
Reproduction clarity is beyond anything I ever experienced

I'm a simple man. I glance at the conclusions, see the "app needed..." part and immediately lose all interest. Thanks, Edifier, but I want headphones, not data mining spyware.

You certainly don't need app, like at all.

 

[GreiverBlade]

alright, time to say a huge THANK YOU for the review!

that review was the deciding factor for my recent purchase

 

[VSG]

alright, time to say a huge THANK YOU for the review!

that review was the deciding factor for my recent purchase

Aha it was this one