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A Stax SRA-12S is a serious electrostatic-era piece, and at A$531 it lands below the 25th percentile of your recent AUD comps, so this reads as a strong deal rather than a merely fair buy. Against a median of A$917 and a 75th percentile of A$1,299, the asking price is comfortably on the buyer-friendly side.
The appeal here is the usual Stax upside: a clean, well-kept SRA-12S can be a rewarding way into the classic Lambda/Pro bias ecosystem, with the sort of speed, transparency, and low-grain presentation that keeps these older Stax units respected. If it powers up properly and the sockets, switches, and volume control are healthy, this is the kind of listing worth moving on; at this price, even a modestly worn example can still make sense if it’s complete and working.
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.
