Edifier Stax Spirit S10: Premium Sound or Just Premium Price?

Today, we’ve got something pretty exciting to review — the Edifier Stax Spirit S10 earbuds. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Another pair of wireless earbuds?” But hold up, these aren’t your typical everyday buds. Edifier has thrown in some serious tech here, from Qualcomm’s latest chipset to a rare 12mm planar magnetic driver, which is usually only found in high-end over-ear headphones.

At a hefty price of $470, these earbuds are aiming to deliver studio-quality sound in a super portable, true wireless design. But does that high price tag really match the performance? Are these buds just packed with fancy features, or can they genuinely offer next-level sound. So, if you’ve been eyeing these earbuds or are just curious to know if they live up to the hype, stick around — we’ve got a lot to cover!

Design and Build Quality

The Edifier Stax Spirit S10 earbuds definitely have a sleek, modern look. The glossy front face with the speckled finish adds a touch of elegance, and they certainly stand out from the crowd of typical all-black earbuds. If you’re someone who likes their tech to look good, these earbuds definitely tick that box.

Now, the earbuds themselves are pretty lightweight and feel comfortable to hold. Edifier did a nice job designing them to be ergonomic, and I found they fit snugly in my ears without causing any discomfort, even after extended use. The fit is similar to the AirPods Pro style, and with the multiple ear tip options, it’s easy to find the right size for a secure fit. This is crucial for both comfort and ensuring the best sound quality.

However, let’s talk about the charging case. This is where things get a little less exciting. The case feels sturdy enough, but it doesn’t quite match the premium price tag. It’s made of plastic, and while it’s functional, it doesn’t have that “high-end” feel you’d expect from a $470 product. The flat bottom design is practical because it stands upright easily, but here’s a big miss — no wireless charging. At this price point, wireless charging should really be a standard feature, especially when even more affordable earbuds offer it.

One more thing worth mentioning is the water resistance. The Stax Spirit S10 earbuds come with an IP54 rating, meaning they’re protected from dust and splashes of water. While you’re not going to want to take these swimming, it’s good to know they can handle a bit of rain or a sweaty workout.

Qualcomm QCC 5181 Chipset & Snapdragon Sound

The Stax Spirit S10 isn’t just about looking good — it’s powered by Qualcomm’s latest QCC 5181 chipset. This means you’re getting the latest in Bluetooth technology with Snapdragon Sound, promising high-resolution audio quality and ultra-low latency. This chipset also supports Bluetooth 5.4, giving you a solid and stable connection with your devices. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference, especially when you’re using the earbuds for things like watching videos or gaming, where audio delay can be a problem.

Sound Quality:

Now comes the part everyone’s waiting for: sound quality. The Edifier Stax Spirit S10 earbuds boast some high-end features, which is probably why Edifier is confident in that $470 price tag, but does all that fancy tech actually result in studio-grade sound? Let’s break it down.

One of the standout features of the Stax Spirit S10 is the 12mm planar magnetic driver. Now, this is a big deal because you usually only find planar drivers in over-ear headphones, especially in audiophile-grade models. So, to have this kind of driver packed into a tiny earbud is pretty impressive. The planar magnetic driver is designed to deliver high-quality sound with minimal distortion, giving you more accurate audio reproduction. This is a feature that sets these earbuds apart from most competitors in the market.

1. Bass Performance

Thanks to the 12mm planar magnetic driver, the bass on these earbuds is impressive, but it’s not the kind of bass that’s going to shake your skull. Instead, what you get is high-resolution, precise bass. The sub-bass is tight and controlled, which is perfect if you like your music clean and clear, without overwhelming low-end. However, if you’re a basshead looking for that deep, rumbling bass, you might feel a little underwhelmed. Switching to the Dynamic EQ mode in the app can boost the bass a bit, but it still doesn’t dive as deep as some might want.

2. Mids and Vocals

The mid-range is where these earbuds shine. Vocals come through crystal clear, and instruments like guitars and pianos have a natural, smooth tone. Whether you’re listening to pop, classical, or even podcasts, the mids are detailed and well-balanced. There’s no muddiness or overwhelming presence of bass bleeding into the mids, which is a common problem with many earbuds. Here, everything feels separated and distinct, which is great for enjoying complex tracks with a lot of layers.

3. Highs and Treble

The highs on the Stax Spirit S10 are crisp and detailed without being harsh. The planar magnetic driver really shows its strength in this area. You get a lot of detail, especially in tracks with complex treble elements like cymbals or strings. It doesn’t feel sharp or fatiguing, which is important if you plan to listen for long periods. In fact, the highs are one of the first things you’ll notice when you start listening — they’re bright and clear, giving the overall sound a lively, engaging feel.

4. Soundstage and Imaging

For a pair of earbuds, the soundstage is surprisingly wide. You won’t get the same room-filling effect as with open-back headphones, but for in-ear monitors, do an impressive job of creating space and depth in your music. You can clearly distinguish where each instrument is coming from, which makes for a more immersive listening experience. Whether you’re into orchestral tracks or live recordings, these earbuds give you a solid sense of direction and positioning.

LDAC and High-Res Audio Performance

If you’ve got a device that supports LDAC or LHDC, you’re in for a treat. These high-res codecs allow for more detail and better audio quality when streaming from a compatible source. Listening to high-quality FLAC files or streaming from platforms that support lossless audio makes a noticeable difference. The level of clarity and detail is significantly higher compared to standard SBC or AAC codecs, and you’ll appreciate every subtle nuance in your music.

EQ Customization

One of the great features of the Stax Spirit S10 is the ability to customize the sound via the Edifier Connect app. You’ve got access to several preset EQ modes, like Dynamic, Classic, and Customized, as well as a 4-band EQ for those who want to fine-tune the audio to their preferences. This flexibility allows you to tweak the sound to match your style, whether you prefer more bass, sharper highs, or a balanced sound profile.

Call Quality

While not a primary focus, the call quality on these earbuds is solid. Qualcomm’s cVc technology works to reduce background noise, making your voice sound clearer to the person on the other end. It’s not groundbreaking, but for regular phone calls or virtual meetings, these earbuds get the job done without any major issues.

Advanced ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) and Transparency Mode:

Now, let’s dive into the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes on the Edifier Stax Spirit S10. At this price point, strong ANC is expected, especially since many competitors in the premium earbud market have made big strides in this area. So, how do these earbuds stack up?

The Stax Spirit S10 is equipped with Qualcomm’s third-generation adaptive hybrid ANC, which promises to block out a wide range of environmental noises. In practice, the ANC works well for reducing low-frequency sounds like the hum of air conditioners, airplane engines, or general city noise. However, it doesn’t completely silence the world around you. It’s effective but not on the same level as market leaders like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Pro.

For everyday scenarios like commuting, working in a café, or taking a walk, the ANC will reduce background noise enough to help you focus on your music or podcast. That said, higher-pitched noises, like people talking nearby or clattering keyboards in an office, can still creep in. It softens these noises rather than completely eliminating them, which might be a letdown for those expecting a more immersive silence.

One area where the ANC struggled was in windy environments. If you’re outside or even sitting near a fan, the earbuds pick up wind noise, creating an annoying buffering effect. Edifier has included a wind reduction mode to combat this, but enabling it compromises some of the noise cancellation effectiveness, and it’s not a perfect solution.

Transparency Mode

The transparency mode on the Stax Spirit S10 is actually quite good. It amplifies the sounds around you when needed, allowing you to hear your surroundings without taking out the earbuds. This is especially useful if you’re walking through busy areas or need to quickly talk to someone without removing the earbuds.

The transparency mode also includes an adaptive setting, which adjusts the level of ambient sound you hear based on your environment. This is a handy feature if you’re frequently moving between different environments and need varying levels of awareness.

App Integration and Customization:

The Edifier Stax Spirit S10 earbuds offer more than just hardware—they come with the Edifier Connect app, which gives you access to a range of customization options and extra features to fine-tune your listening experience. Let’s take a closer look at what you can do with the app and how it enhances the overall experience.

The Edifier Connect app is your go-to hub for controlling and customizing the Stax Spirit S10. Available on both iOS and Android, the app is easy to navigate and has a clean interface. When you first open the app, you’ll see an image of your earbuds, along with battery levels for each earbud and the case.

One of the most important features in the app is the ability to adjust the sound profile. You can choose from three preset EQ modes:

• Dynamic (for a punchier sound with enhanced bass),
• Classic (which offers a more neutral, balanced sound),
• Customized (where you can create your own EQ settings).

For the audiophiles out there, the customized EQ gives you a 4-band equalizer to tweak specific frequencies. This is great for those who want to fine-tune the sound to their exact preferences. You can adjust bass, mids, and highs to match your music or sound style, whether you’re after more bass or crisper highs.

ANC and Transparency Controls

The app also allows you to adjust the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) and transparency modes. You can switch between different levels of ANC, including:

• High ANC (for maximum noise cancellation),
• Wind Reduction (to help cut out wind noise),
• Adaptive ANC (which automatically adjusts based on your environment).

For transparency mode, there are several levels to choose from, including Adaptive Transparency, which amplifies surrounding sounds based on where you are. This gives you flexibility in deciding how much of the outside world you want to let in, whether you’re walking down a busy street or need to hear a quick conversation.

The Stax Spirit S10 earbuds come with squeeze sensors that let you control playback, answer calls, or adjust the volume. Through the app, you can customize these controls to fit your preferences. For example, you can set a single squeeze to play or pause music, a double squeeze to skip tracks, or a long press to activate ANC.

Having the ability to remap these controls is a great feature, especially if you prefer having volume control or specific ANC modes accessible with a single press.

Multipoint Connection and Device Switching

One standout feature of the Stax Spirit S10 is its multipoint connection capability. This means you can connect the earbuds to two devices simultaneously, like your phone and laptop. The app allows you to manage and switch between these devices easily, which is especially useful for people who multitask with different devices throughout the day.

You won’t have to constantly disconnect and reconnect your earbuds when switching between your phone for calls and your laptop for video streaming, making them great for productivity and entertainment.

Other Settings

The app also gives you control over other smaller features, such as wear detection, which automatically pauses your music when you take the earbuds out of your ears and resumes when you put them back in. You can toggle this feature on or off, depending on your preference.

Battery Life:

Alright, let’s talk about battery life, which can often make or break the experience with wireless earbuds. The Edifier Stax Spirit S10 claims up to 28 hours of total playback time, but as always, it depends on how you use them. Let’s break it down.

On paper, you’re supposed to get 7 hours of playback on a single charge with ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) turned off. Add the charging case, and that extends your total listening time to 28 hours. That sounds pretty solid, but here’s the catch: when you turn ANC on, that drops significantly. With ANC activated, you’re looking at around 4 hours of playback per charge, and with the case, that adds up to about 16 hours total. If you’re using LDAC or listening at higher volumes, the battery life takes another hit, bringing it down to around 2.5 to 3 hours per charge, which isn’t ideal.

One bright spot is the quick charging capability. Edifier claims that just 15 minutes of charging gives you around 2 hours of playback (without ANC), which is pretty handy when you’re in a rush. So even if the battery life isn’t mind-blowing, the quick charge can save you when you need a boost in a hurry.

One downside, as mentioned earlier, is that the charging case doesn’t support wireless charging. At this price point, I expected wireless charging to be included. While it’s not a dealbreaker, it’s a noticeable omission, especially for premium earbuds. You’ll have to rely on the USB-C port for all your charging needs.

Price and Value: Is the Stax Spirit S10 Worth $470?

Now that we’ve covered all the features, design, and performance aspects of the Edifier Stax Spirit S10, it’s time to answer the big question: is it worth the $470 price tag?

At $470, the Stax Spirit S10 sits in the same price bracket as some of the best wireless earbuds on the market. Competitors like the Sony WF-1000XM5, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II all offer excellent sound quality and top-tier ANC, often at a slightly lower price point.

The Stax Spirit S10 stands out due to its planar magnetic driver and high-res audio capabilities, but for users who prioritize ANC or are looking for a better balance between price and performance, those alternatives might be more appealing.

So, is the Edifier Stax Spirit S10 worth $470? If you’re an audiophile or someone who values high-end sound quality with advanced tech features like LDAC, multipoint connectivity, and customizable sound, then these earbuds are a solid choice. The sound quality alone, especially with the planar magnetic driver, sets them apart from most wireless earbuds.

However, if ANC is a top priority or you’re looking for better value in terms of price-to-performance, you might want to explore other premium models that offer similar features at a lower cost. The Stax Spirit S10 is a niche product designed for those who prioritize audio fidelity over other factors, and in that regard, it delivers.