About Us
静魂 — The Quiet Soul
In Japanese, the characters 静魂 mean 'quiet soul' — to speak directly to your soul, your spirit. These two characters define everything STAX stands for.
A Legacy Born in Japan, 1938
STAX was founded in 1938 with a singular obsession: to reproduce music with absolute fidelity. Over eight decades later, that obsession has never wavered. In 1959, STAX achieved a milestone that would define the audiophile world — the development of the world's first electrostatic headphone, followed by the landmark SR-1 in 1960.
That breakthrough wasn't just a product launch. It was the beginning of an entirely new category of listening — one that STAX has led ever since.
Why We Call Them EARSPEAKERS
STAX does not make headphones. We make EARSPEAKERS. The distinction matters. Ultra-high fidelity devices of this calibre cannot be compared to conventional headphones — they belong in the same conversation as the finest cost-no-object loudspeakers. The term EARSPEAKER reflects STAX's contribution to the most advanced level of sonic transduction ever achieved.
Handcrafted by Artisans. Still.
In an era where mass production dominates and shortcuts are celebrated, STAX remains committed to the art of handcrafting. Every EARSPEAKER is still built by a team of skilled artisans in Japan — people who understand that the difference between good and extraordinary lives in the details that machines cannot feel.
Artisans in audio are becoming a dying breed. That is precisely why we believe it is more important than ever to protect and celebrate this tradition. At STAX, heritage is not a marketing word. It is our method.
85+ Years of Innovation
From the SR-1 in 1960 through decades of refinement — through the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and into today — STAX has continuously pushed the boundaries of what electrostatic technology can achieve. Each generation of EARSPEAKERS builds on the last, carrying forward the knowledge, precision, and passion of every craftsperson who came before.
Today, STAX continues this tradition by offering the finest EARSPEAKERS for both professional and audiophile applications worldwide.
Experience It for Yourself
Whether you are a lifelong audiophile or discovering high-fidelity sound for the first time, we invite you to hear what 85+ years of dedication sounds like.