INTERVIEW: STAX’s KAZUO SUZUKI, MORIYASU MACHIDA, YOHJI NAGAYAMA, and KUMA LI
Those who have been following my reviews on the STAX earspeakers (headphones) and energizers (headphone amplifiers) are aware that they have been, well, game changing for me. The various STAX earspeakers have, in fact, deepened my connection to the music that I have long owned and thought that I knew, but did not, truly, know. This will be evident for any who takes the path—electrostatic headphones—that has been far less travelled than that of traditional headphones. But be warned, it will take you down a path from which you may never wish to return.
My curiosity with regard to how STAX was consistently making not just good earspeakers and energizers but incredible (SR-L700MkII, SRM-700S) to great earspeakers and energizers (SR-009S, SRM-T8000 (in review)) prompted me to find out more, to dig a little deeper. So, I went to the source and sought out those responsible for the design, engineering, and production of the various STAX earspeakers and their energizers as well—the STAX engineers.
I’d like to thank Kay Ho and Audrey Felix for their tireless efforts in helping me to coordinate questions and answers with the STAX engineers, who were, no doubt, exceptionally busy with a host of tasks, not the least of which was the continued development of STAX’s earspeakers and energizers.
I spoke to energizer engineers—Kazuo Suzuki and Moriyasu Machida—who are responsible for the various STAX energizer—existing, new, and planned. And and I spoke with the earspeaker engineer Yohji Nagayama and Head of Sales Kuma Li. They were gracious enough to answer all of my questions and to tell me a little bit about themselves..
AKR: Mr. Suzuki , Mr. Machida, Mr. Nagayama, and Mr. Li. I’d like to thank you all for your time in conducting this interview with me and given that, I’ll get to the first question. What are your respective positions with STAX and how did you come to work there?
KS: Currently, I oversee the development and design for driver units. It’s been approximately [How long]since I began working for STAX. I have worked on manufacturing condenser loudspeakers. After that, I moved to the development section, designing the driver unit (amplifier) and condenser speakers. So that’s currently my main focus.
MM: I work in the driver unit development team at STAX Japan. It has been 7 years since I joined STAX and have been with the driver unit’s development department from the beginning.
YN: I work in the earspeakers division and oversee the manufacturing of electrostatic sound units. My job is to design and develop our renowned earspeakers. About 7 years since I joined the company. After experiencing sound unit manufacturing, moved to the engineering section and engaged in headphone product development.
KL: I oversee the sales department for STAX in China. I have been engaged in the sales of HIFI headphones for more than 15 years and I am also an enthusiast and love the space created by music.
AKR: How would you describe the STAX ethos of continuity, quality, and longevity? Some of your designs are still going strong after nearly sixty years, in light of the fact that so many companies basically take a flavor of the month or year approach?
KS: Infinitely faithful to the sources. We want the listening experience to be true to the artist's recording, what they intended. If we can successfully deliver that to our users, then we have met the basic requirement as a manufacturer of this product. As “electrostatic,”which is the origin of the STAX name, we will continue to make electrostatic audio products. The first combination I heard of STAX products was SR-3 and SRA-3S. The difference in sound between STAX and dynamic headphones at that time was huge.
MM: It is our aim to continue to build the best electrostatic headphones or earspeakers for the market. Our strength lies in the company’s rich history, commitment to build high quality products that serve the end customer, and most importantly our customer service to ensure their complete satisfaction and enjoyment when using STAX. In fact, it is part of our company policy to maintain parts for discontinued products for 8 years to ensure that we can offer them to our customers. If we can fix it, we will.
YN: Pursuing good sound.
AKR. Great. What do you believe it is that sets STAX apart from other high-end headphone companies today?
KS: STAX's electrostatic audio products are based on many years of experience. I believe the strongest point of STAX products is long-term reliability and after-sales support.
MM: I don't honestly pay attention to what others are doing, but STAX’ strength lies in our heritage. We still maintain traditional ways of building the earspeaker and our founder’s commitment to create precision hand-crafted products. The second thing is our company’s commitment to offering after-sales service for all products. If we can offer repairs and replacement parts, we will try to do so always.
YN: It differs from other companies in that STAX specializes in electrostatic type.
KL: The biggest difference is, of course, the driver. The electrostatic headphones are driven by voltage whereas the general dynamic headphones use currents. The difference is that electrostatic headphones can bring extremely quiet sound background, but do not miss very slight dynamic details, while ordinary dynamic headphones can only be adopted in a quiet background often requires relatively high impedance. Although adopting some new materials will bring you a new characteristic in the music but it is are not a best way or choice. Therefore, if you want to express the sound in a more accurate way and deliver the details of sound recorded in a media precisely and in methodical manner, STAX electrostatic headphones will be the choice with these advantages. With over 80 years of precipitation in electrostatic development, STAX are not only aiming to display sound completely in front of audiophile, but also giving you the value of understanding music. STAX will continue to develop products for different music lovers and who will be in love with STAX.
AKR: Apparently so. In my research I’d come across people who were still using the same STAX products after more than thirty years, which is amazing in this day and age planned obsolescence or what’s-nextism. What is the longest time, that you are aware of that a STAX customer has consistently used his/her STAX products?
KS & MM: Our customers have used STAX products for decades. This is a better question for our marketing & customer service team. They receive many emails from customers who had inherited their father's or grandfather's STAX system.
AKR: Has STAX ever made miscalculations in a product and if so, what lessons were learned and how did you rectify this?
KS: In the 1980s, when designing a driver amplifier, parts were selected without considering the “withstand voltage” of the resistor. It had caused problems with disconnection. The old parts are different from the current ones, and the overall sizes of the parts are large, so I can use them without worrying too much. As a result, it came to be designed in consideration of the “withstand voltage” of the resistor.
MM: Yes, there are instances where we misstepped but it only aided us is learning and offering the right solutions. Here’s an example. Because STAX products handle extremely high voltages, it is important to consider the insulation structure and the limits the individual components can withstand when dealing with high voltages.
YN: There are few products I've been in charge of, but there are some correctable mistakes during the development phase. We will investigate the cause of the unexpected phenomenon and design it with repeated corrections including the opposite approach.
KL: It depends on where you are standing. In term of sales, we believe there is no such thing as an unsuccessful product because all STAX products were developed based on the needs and requirements of our consumers. However, if standing in the point of view of achieving perfection, STAX products have not succeeded yet and that is the motivation that STAX engineers work towards each day
AKR: So these missteps brought additional insight to earspeaker production, QC, and QA?
KS & MM: Yes, obviously we are learning everyday and working with new technological advancements and knowledge After 80 years, I believe we have the experience and know-how in building these products while staying true to some traditions.
AKR: STAX has an incredible range of products, but few appear to know about the brand. What do you think would make STAX more accessible to the world and music lovers, in general?
MM: I would like to see environments where more people can listen to our products. I would like professional musicians to use them as well and have the STAX products available at musical instrument channels. This is a great opportunity for STAX to become a part of every musician’s go-to gear.
KS: Yes, I agree with Moriyasu, we would like to create spaces for more people to listen to STAX. Ultimately it is all about the listening experience and I believe that is all that is needed to convert music lovers to STAX.
YN: I think the best way to get people to know the goodness of STAX products is to actually listen them. However, there are still few opportunities and places to listen to STAX. We want to expand more opportunities worldwide because the truth is, the STAX experience is incredibly unique and once in a lifetime. It is emotional and touches on our sensory journey.
AKR: In listening to the various STAX products, I couldn’t agree more. I’ve said in most, if not all of my reviews on STAX products, that once you listen, it will be very difficult to go back to listening to non-electrostatic earspeakers. And this has been very true for me. STAX reminds me, in many ways, of the luthier violin makers of old—House Stradivari, Amati, Guarneri—whose products, several hundred years later, have no peer, in terms of their construction, are highly coveted, and exceptionally expensive to obtain. Do you see any parallels or similarities to STAX, given that your products, while not centuries old yet, could be someday?
KS: I see parallels to the artisans of our culture and the authenticity, respect and responsibility that is felt in bringing something to life with emotion and work. That principle is part of the STAX foundation and very much steeped in my culture.
MM: Thank you for thinking that way, it is a compliment. For me personally, STAX headphone is a product, not necessarily an instrument, but I can appreciate how it is regarded as special because of its history and craftsmanship.
YN: I'm very afraid to mention, but if I say it, the attitude of pursuing tradition and sound may be close.
AKR: What one STAX system would you recommend to our readers and to music lovers, who may be completely unfamiliar with STAX, but interested to start?
KS: First, I would also recommend SRS-3100(SR-L300+SRM-252S). Driver units are required to have relatively high voltage, wideband characteristics, and low distortion characteristics in order to drive electrostatic headphones. The driver amplifier of SRS-3100 is an entry level model “SRM-252S,” and it is the perfect starting point to power a STAX earspeaker. The headphone SR-L300 is for beginners. but it has the warmth and goodness of our high-end models, the SR-L500 and SR-L700 earspeakers.
You can fully experience the STAX sound with SRS-3100, but we have bigger and better driver units, so that you can upgrade when you are ready, which is what most of our customers do. I recommend upgrading in this order: The SRM-400S/SRM-500T/SRM-700S/SRM-700T and our flagship driver unit, the SRM-T8000.To upgrade the sound quality, first change the energizer to higher model. Next, upgrade to a higher headphone model. From my point of view, that order is recommended.
STAX SRS-3100 (SR-L300+SRM-252S)
MM: I’d recommend they start with the SRS-3100 (SR-L300 + SRM-252S) which is our entry level pairing that delivers robust sound. It will allow the listener to fully understand the overwhelming transparency and resolution that comes with a STAX electrostatic system.
YN: SRS-3100（SR-L300＋SRM-252S）Although it is an entry class, you can see the goodness of the electrostatic type.
KL: Although we are talking about the products for new entrants, I do recommend SR-L700MK2 and SRM-700T as this combination presents the right balance in music appreciation that STAX wants and allows users to understand STAX more deeply and emotionally.
AKR: Thank you for that. I’m currently set to review the SRS-3100 system. I also have the SRM-D50 in the cue as well, which has a built-in DAC. So the SRM-D50 and the SR-L300 are certainly another options for beginners, though a few hundred dollars more expensive, but all you’d need is a computer and you’d be set. Does STAX make products with the consumer in mind or is it brand first?
MM: Achieving the best quality and best sound are the only two things we focus on. Normally, products can be shipped quickly after they are assembled. But at STAX, fresh off the shelf products go through stringent inspection protocols before it leaves the factory.
AKR: And to you Kuma, what’s your favorite STAX product and why?
KL: Of course, it is the SR-009S. I have used the SR-009 for many years now and have found the accuracy of the sound is unprecedented. People like listening to music after work for relaxation. Some headphone gear might get you excited rather than relaxed. Certainly, many people do love to enjoy music with that kind of energy. However, I prefer to listen to music for relaxation. The SR-009S is that perfect companion where music is foremost, and my emotions are revealed naturally. No tension and it won’t lose the unique micro-dynamics detail that an electrostatic headphone brings into the music. That’s the relaxation that I strive for from the daily tension of life.
STAX SR-009S
AKR: I began the interview with a question on ethos and I’ll bring this part of the interview to a close with a question on philosophy. Tell me, what is the STAX design philosophy or its design language, when it comes to producing the various electrostatic products?
KS: We consider the consumer price range and make the best product within the development budget.
MM: Humbly, our design language is in its sound. Even if the earspeaker or driver does not have our logo, once you listen to the product, you’ll know it’s us. Clean pure water. It is delicious even if it is tasteless and odorless.
YN: It is designed with consideration for the meaningful shapes and how it affects the sound. Since the song itself contains many elements, it cannot be said typically. However, to reproduce sound faithfully, I think that it should be colorless and transparent without adding color or flavor to the impression of sound.
AKR: Now just a little bit about each of you in terms of the music and or movies that you like and might enjoy via a STAX system?
KS: Movie: STAR WARS, STAR TREK, very much the classics! Music: Old Japanese pop, Enka.
MM: Movie: Otoko wa Tsurai yo, a classic Japanese film series staring Kiyoshi Atsumi about a vagabond who is unlucky in love. Music: Jazz, Japanese Pop, and Rock.
YN: Movie: I am Sam, The Dark Knight, Princess Mononoke | Music: Jazz (Shirley Horn), Classic (Balada, Atsuko Temma, Hahn, Hilary Plays Bach: Violin Sonata), Rock, Piano/Acoustic Guitar/Violin/Wood Bass/ Japanese Drum.
KL: Movie: Sky Castle | Music: J-Pop, Classical, my current favorite album of all time is “ZARD.”
AKR: Mr. Suzuki, Mr. Machida, Mr. Nagayama, and Mr. Li I thank you all, very much, for your time and I wish you all and STAX continued success.