Edifier STAX Spirit S10 Review: Planar Magnetic Earbuds Tested (2026)
Wearing the Edifier STAX Spirit S10 in real life after weeks of testing. Comfortable, discreet, and clearly aimed at listeners who care about sound.
Post updated: 15th of June 2026
Edifier STAX Spirit S10: Premium Earbuds With Serious Sound
I received the Edifier STAX Spirit S10 for review purposes. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are my own and based on a month of exclusive real-world use.
I've tested quite a few Edifier headphones and earbuds over the years. I like the warm Edifier sound signature. I like the value for money. But until now, I'd never reviewed one of their premium STAX products — and that made the STAX Spirit S10 instantly more interesting.
Back in 2012, Edifier acquired STAX Ltd, a company with over 80 years of history in electrostatic headphones. These earbuds use a planar magnetic driver instead of a standard dynamic driver. In simple terms, that means a very thin, flat diaphragm driven more evenly across its surface — which can improve speed, detail, and control.
I used them as my exclusive earbuds for about a month, switching between an iPhone 15 Plus and a Google Pixel 9A. Here's what I found.
Edifier STAX Spirit S10 — Key Specs & Verdict
| Driver | Planar magnetic |
| Audio | LDAC / Snapdragon Audio / AAC |
| ANC | Excellent — one of the best I've tested on earbuds |
| Sound signature | Warm, detailed, controlled — not for bassheads |
| Best for | Android users who can use LDAC, clarity lovers, Edifier fans |
| Not for | Bassheads, iPhone-only users wanting the full audio experience |
| My score | 8.5 / 10 |
A look at the unboxing experience. This is one of the strongest parts of the STAX Spirit S10 package and it genuinely feels premium.
Unboxing & Design
At this price, the unboxing experience matters — and Edifier gets this part right. The retail box feels premium. Everything is nicely presented, tidy, and considered. Inside, you get a carrying pouch, a selection of ear tips from XS to XL (with different colours, which is a nice touch), and a USB-A to USB-C charging cable that's oddly short.
The charging case is good — simple, clean, easy to open, and the earbuds are easy to remove. But I wanted more. It looks very close to the case design used on other Edifier NeoBuds models, and for a STAX product, I think it deserved something more distinctive. The STAX logo on top helps, but there's no wireless charging — which at this price feels like an omission.
The earbuds themselves are where the premium side becomes obvious. The build quality is very good. The materials feel solid. The STAX logo on each earbud gives them a smarter identity. They're a tiny bit heavier than some competitors, but in the ear they're very comfortable — I wore them for long listening sessions with no pain, no pressure, no fit drama.
Touch controls are located on the side and work reliably. Play, pause, skip — the usual. They can also be customised through the Edifier ConneX app.
The charging case looks simple and understated, with a clean matte finish and a subtle STAX logo on top.
Connection, App & Getting the Best Audio
I tested the STAX Spirit S10 first with my iPhone 15 Plus. Connection was quick and trouble-free. Then I moved to my Google Pixel 9A, where Google Fast Pair made setup even smoother.
The Edifier ConneX app is available on both platforms and gives you plenty to work with: EQ adjustments, custom sound profiles, control customisation, and Game Mode for lower latency.
Now, the important part. These earbuds support high-quality wireless audio — LDAC and Snapdragon Audio — but you need to enable everything properly. Check your phone settings first, then go into the ConneX app and enable HD Audio there too. If you skip either step, the HD Audio logo stays greyed out and you're not getting the full experience.
On my Pixel 9A, I had to go into developer settings to enable LDAC. It wasn't super straightforward, but once it was done, it was done. Snapdragon Audio didn't work for me on the Pixel — I suspect other Android phones will have a better experience there.
On iPhone, it's simpler but more limited. Apple uses AAC, and while it still sounds good, you're not getting the full capability of what these earbuds can do. That's why I genuinely think the STAX Spirit S10 makes more sense for Android users.
Sound Quality
This is why anyone is looking at the STAX Spirit S10. I really wanted to hear whether that planar magnetic driver made a noticeable difference.
My answer? Yes. But not all the time.
The first thing I noticed was that familiar warm Edifier sound signature. Rich without being muddy. Easy to enjoy. Easy to live with. The S10 keeps that character but adds more refinement in certain areas.
The mids are excellent — clear, detailed, smooth. Voices come through beautifully. Podcasts sound superb. YouTube videos and Netflix dialogues are clean and natural. The highs are also very good — crisp without turning sharp, detailed without becoming tiring.
Some tracks really do sound fantastic. Moby's "Porcelain," one of my usual test tracks, sounded absolutely beautiful — spacious, emotional, detailed. That kind of track lets these earbuds show what they can do.
The ANC is excellent too. Honestly, one of the best I've tested on true wireless earbuds. Volume is strong — these can go loud.
But now the bass. It's not bad. It's present. It's controlled. But I expected more weight, more physicality, more fun from a premium pair of earbuds at this price. If you love deep, hard-hitting bass, these may not be for you. They're more about detail, control, and clarity than about giving you a thick low-end slam.
So yes, planar magnetic makes a difference. But it's subtle. You hear it in the control, the detail, the speed, the way certain tracks feel cleaner and more precise. Not in every song. Not every second. But enough to matter.
Battery Life & Everyday Use
Battery life has been very good — close to what Edifier promises. I use ANC a lot, which naturally reduces battery life, but I never felt anxious about them draining too fast. My use is realistic: a bit of music, some YouTube, a podcast, maybe some Netflix. In that kind of mixed daily use, the S10 performs well.
For calls, they're solid — people could hear me clearly. Watching YouTube was also very good with no annoying lag. The automatic start-stop function deserves a mention: remove one earbud and playback pauses immediately. Put it back in and it resumes. Simple, well-executed.
How They Compare: Edifier STAX Spirit S10 vs Status Audio Pro X
I've also tested the Status Audio Pro X extensively — another pair of premium earbuds with a distinctive identity.
The Status Pro X have a design that I really like, but I understand it won't be for everyone. They're more angular, more unusual, more of a statement. If you prefer the classic AirPods-style stem design, the Edifier STAX S10 are the obvious choice — they look more traditional and feel more familiar in the ear.
Sound-wise, I'm a big fan of the Edifier tuning style. The STAX S10 have a great sound — warm, refined, detailed. But for the type of music I listen to, I personally prefer the sound of the Status Pro X. They have a slightly richer, more engaging presentation that connects with me more directly. That's personal preference, not a technical judgment.
Both are excellent. The Edifier are the safer, more polished all-rounder with better ANC. The Status are the more characterful, design-forward alternative with a sound I slightly prefer. Your choice will come down to what you value more: refinement and familiarity, or personality and engagement.
The STAX Spirit S10 earbuds inside the charging case. Easy to remove, nicely presented, and very much in line with Edifier’s usual design language.
Who Are the Edifier STAX Spirit S10 For?
- ✓ Android users who can take full advantage of LDAC
- ✓ Listeners who prioritise clarity, detail, and mids over heavy bass
- ✓ Existing Edifier fans wanting to try the brand's premium side
- ✓ Anyone who wants excellent ANC in a compact true wireless design
Not for:
- ✗ Bassheads — these prioritise control over slam
- ✗ iPhone-only users who want the simplest possible experience
- ✗ Anyone who insists on wireless charging at this price
Final Thoughts
The Edifier STAX Spirit S10 is a very good pair of earbuds. Beautifully made, comfortable, packed with features, and capable of genuinely excellent sound. The planar magnetic driver does make a difference — not in a dramatic, life-changing way, but enough that you notice it with the right music and the right source.
The ANC is excellent. The mids are superb. The overall tuning is refined and enjoyable. The bass, for me, is the only real weak point relative to the price. So no, they're not perfect. But they are still impressive. For a first-generation pair of premium planar magnetic earbuds with ANC, Edifier has done a very good job.
FAQ: Edifier STAX Spirit S10
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Yes, but it depends on what you're listening to and how carefully you're paying attention. On well-recorded tracks with good dynamic range, LDAC delivers more detail, more space, and a slightly richer presentation. On casual listening — podcasts, YouTube, background music — the difference is much harder to notice. If you're an iPhone user, don't panic: the S10 still sound excellent with AAC. But if you're on Android and can enable LDAC, you're getting closer to what these earbuds are actually capable of.
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A planar magnetic driver uses a very thin, flat diaphragm driven evenly across its surface, rather than a cone moving back and forth like a standard dynamic driver. In theory, this improves speed, detail, and control. In practice with the S10, you hear it most in the mids and highs — vocals are cleaner, instruments are better separated, and complex tracks feel less congested. It's not a night-and-day difference from a good dynamic driver, but it's noticeable with the right music.
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Not if you want deep, physical, hard-hitting bass. The S10 have controlled, present bass — you can hear it clearly — but they prioritise detail and refinement over low-end slam. If you listen to hip-hop, EDM, or anything where bass weight is the main event, these may leave you wanting more. If you listen to acoustic, jazz, classical, or vocal-heavy music, they're excellent.
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Yes, they work perfectly well with iPhone. Pairing is quick, the connection is stable, and the sound is very good. But iPhones only support AAC, not LDAC or Snapdragon Audio, so you're not getting the full high-resolution wireless experience these earbuds are capable of. If you're an iPhone-only user, you'll still enjoy them — but you're paying for technology you can't fully unlock.
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The AirPods Pro are more seamless in the Apple ecosystem — instant switching between devices, spatial audio, and a more polished overall software experience. The STAX Spirit S10 have better raw sound quality, especially for detail and midrange clarity, and their ANC is at least as good. If you want the easiest possible experience with an iPhone, go AirPods. If you prioritise sound quality and don't mind a slightly less integrated experience, the S10 are the stronger audio performers.
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No. The STAX Spirit S10 charge via USB-C only. At this price point, wireless charging should really be included. It's not a dealbreaker for everyone, but it's a fair criticism and something to factor in if wireless charging is important to your daily setup.
Why You Can Trust This Review
I've been reviewing tech and audio gear for over 13 years on Dapper & Groomed. I've tested dozens of headphones and earbuds across every price range, including multiple Edifier models. I know the brand's sound signature well — and I know when something sounds genuinely premium.
This review is based on a month of exclusive use with the STAX Spirit S10, switching between iPhone and Android. Edifier sent me the earbuds for review, but all opinions are my own and the brand had no input on this article.
Jerome
About the author: I'm Jerome, founder of Dapper & Groomed. I've spent the past 13 years testing and reviewing tech, audio gear, grooming products, and men's lifestyle essentials on this blog and on my YouTube channel. My reviews are never approved or previewed by brands — just honest, real-world testing from a dad who's been doing this since 2013.