Dan Clark Stealth Review (State of the Art Headphone)

[abdo123]

There is no indication in the THD plots that compression takes place.

I'm not arguing the contrary, but can you please explain how you reach such a conclusion with only the data provided in this review?

 

[solderdude]

Is it theoretically possible to have a linearity test for headphones? Dynamics issues would show up there, right?

Only linearity would show up.
Dynamic behavior would be how fast the membrane can stop moving and how fast it rises.

A good test would be burst at a certain frequency at large amplitude directly followed by the same frequency but 40dB down in level.
That can be repeated for several frequencies.
That test signal doesn't exist yet but could easily be generated.
Would take a scope to capture it and a logarithmic amplifier.

 

[solderdude]

I'm not arguing the contrary, but can you please explain how you reach such a conclusion with only the data provided in this review?

I have done many linearity tests (only up to 100dB) and only when I find high 3rd harmonics at 90dB in the lows I can also find linearity issues.
Third harmonics are typical for 'flattening' of a sine wave which is exactly what happens.
As distortion is very low (we just don't know if it is 2nd or 3rd harm) there is no or very little flattening even at 114dB.

 

[Shazb0t]

Only linearity would show up.
Dynamic behavior would be how fast the membrane can stop moving and how fast it rises.

A good test would be burst at a certain frequency at large amplitude directly followed by the same frequency but 40dB down in level.
That can be repeated for several frequencies.
That test signal doesn't exist yet but could easily be generated.
Would take a scope to capture it and a logarithmic amplifier.

Doesn't the impulse test show us that this driver is quick to settle?

 

[RHO]

There is no indication in the THD plots that compression takes place.
When there is compression at higher SPL there is lots of 3rd harmonic at higher SPL.

Cool, good to know. So the THD plots at different SPLs should be sufficient.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Doesn't the impulse test show us that this driver is quick to settle?

Impulse response is very often wrongly interpreted. As we know the target frequency response. There will be a target impulse response too.
The ones that seemingly settles slowly only mean there's peak in the frequency response either from the headphone itself or the test rig or the combination of both. On the head can be different from on the rig. Don't read into the impulse response too much.

 

[smodtactical]

https://forum.headphones.com/t/dan-clark-audio-stealth-flagship-closed-back-headphones/14072/58

"Detail - good but not like… Abyss or Susvara level. "
"Macrodynamics - None unfortunately. Same as Noire and other DCAs typically"

Why didn't Amir mention this?

 

[Thomas_A]

https://forum.headphones.com/t/dan-clark-audio-stealth-flagship-closed-back-headphones/14072/58

"Detail - good but not like… Abyss or Susvara level. "
"Macrodynamics - None unfortunately. Same as Noire and other DCAs typically"

Why didn't Amir mention this?

Since it is subjective. There is no way to compare such measures.

 

[Daiyama]

But it should be easy recognizable when you directly compare two headphone, for example if you compare the Stealth to the king of all punch (that is how I interpret "Macrodynamics"), the Focal Clear.
Edit: But I think there is also a big prejudice about slam and planars and Dan Clark planars in particular, that one can be easily influenced by psychology.

 

[Music1969]

But it should be easy recognizable when you directly compare two headphone, for example if you compare the Stealth to the king of all punch (that is how I interpret "Macrodynamics"), the Focal Clear.

All the Focals share same punchiness trait.

I wonder if this is planar vs dynamic thing. Not sure what kind of measurement does / can capture this though.

Double blind testing with headphones is not easy... I could tell which headphone was on my head by weight / fit / clamping force alone

 

[Thomas_A]

But it should be easy recognizable when you directly compare two headphone, for example if you compare the Stealth to the king of all punch (that is how I interpret "Macrodynamics"), the Focal Clear.

if you follow a standardised protocol, making blind comparisons, including many persons doing the evaluations - you may come to some conclusions.

 

[Daiyama]

I would agree with the fact about difficulty of blind tests but slam should really be easily recognizable. If Macrodynamics is "slam". If you have more or less same volume you should be able to hear if a base drum blows you away or if it is simply a "limp bizkit", so to speak.

 

[Music1969]

I would agree with the fact about difficulty of blind tests but slam should really be easily recognizable. If Macrodynamics is "slam". If you have more or less same volume you should be able to hear if a base drum blows you away or if it is simply a "limp bizkit", so to speak.

Depends if slam is macrodynamics or something else.

I thought slam is more linked with bass. The reviewer reported issues with seal with his glasses can significantly reduce perceived bass.

You would need to ask him directly on his forum

 

[Chester]

But it should be easy recognizable when you directly compare two headphone, for example if you compare the Stealth to the king of all punch (that is how I interpret "Macrodynamics"), the Focal Clear.
Edit: But I think there is also a big prejudice about slam and planars and Dan Clark planars in particular, that one can be easily influenced by psychology.

This whole ‘punch’ business seems like a lot of potentially different things all rolled into one. Volume level, track listened to, frequency response, EQ applied, are all going to effect ‘punch’, so comparisons between phones seems difficult to make meaningful.

 

[Thomas_A]

All the Focals share same punchiness trait.

I wonder if this is planar vs dynamic thing. Not sure what kind of measurement does / can capture this though.

Double blind testing with headphones is not easy... I could tell which headphone was on my head by weight / fit / clamping force alone

Just don't disclose any headphone before the test and add some heavy lead tape onto each headband, allow someone to put it on without you touching it. I am sure you could do some guesses anyway, but not so easy.

 

[Daiyama]

Depends if slam is macrodynamics or something else.

I thought slam is more linked with bass. The reviewer reported issues with seal with his glasses can significantly reduce perceived bass.

You would need to ask him directly on his forum

Yep I know, but I am already on to many forums.....

 

[Music1969]

Yep I know, but I am already on to many forums.....

LOL yes I know the problem

 

[Music1969]

Just don't disclose any headphone before the test and add some heavy lead tape onto each headband, allow someone to put it on without you touching it. I am sure you could do some guesses anyway, but not so easy.

Yes not as easy as blind folds listening to speakers.

Earpads - I can identify MrSpeakers/DCA earpads (I hate) from Focal earpads (I love) very easily. How they fit / seal ear.

 

[Zensō]

https://forum.headphones.com/t/dan-clark-audio-stealth-flagship-closed-back-headphones/14072/58

"Detail - good but not like… Abyss or Susvara level. "
"Macrodynamics - None unfortunately. Same as Noire and other DCAs typically"

Why didn't Amir mention this?

This doesn’t mean a thing, other than to demonstrate the extreme unreliability of subjective impressions.

 

[Thomas_A]

Yes not as easy as blind folds listening to speakers.

Earpads - I can identify MrSpeakers/DCA earpads (I hate) from Focal earpads (I love) very easily. How they fit / seal ear.

If some persons can identify the headphone (model and brand) on ear-pads you may be biased, so one could exclude such persons from the study in a pre-test.