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Compared with the usual alternative of buying a newer entry-level Stax driver, US$800 is ambitious here: the comparable asking-price median is US$330, with the 75th percentile at US$479. Unless this is an unusually clean, serviced example with valuable accessories, it is substantially above the established used market.
The SRM-1 remains a worthwhile vintage Class A driver, prized for its clear, fast, low-colouration presentation and ability to bring classic Stax earspeakers to life. The key is version and compatibility: early units may have only normal-bias outputs, while many later Stax headphones require pro bias, so confirm the exact model, output type, operating voltage, and service history. At US$800, documented refurbishment and complete, tested operation would be essential; otherwise, patience should find a comparable unit much closer to US$330–US$479.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Stax traces its origins to 1938 in Tokyo, Japan, when Naotake Hayashi founded Showa Kouon Co., Ltd. in Chiyoda-ku. Initially focused on wax disc recording, metal master production, and audio equipment for film soundtracks, the company evolved through the postwar era. In 1950, it launched its first high-frequency condenser microphone, adopted by NHK, and renamed itself STAX Co., Ltd. in 1963, honoring its pioneering Stax-1 mic. A brief suspension in 1995 due to economic pressures gave way to revival, preserving its legacy under family leadership.
The brand specializes in electrostatic headphones, known as "EARSPEAKERS," debuting with the world-first SR-1 in 1960. This innovation spawned enduring lines like the SR series, produced for decades with incremental refinements for superior resolution and staging. Stax complements these with dedicated electrostatic amplifiers and select accessories, eschewing conventional speakers, turntables, DACs, or cables to hone its transducer expertise.
Stax commands a niche high-end position among audiophiles and professionals, revered for unmatched transparency and fidelity that rivals cost-no-object loudspeakers. Its 85-year heritage cements it as a boutique icon in electrostatic technology, far from mass-market fare, appealing to discerning buyers seeking pinnacle sonic transduction.
See all Stax listings on RADAR.
