Dan Clark NOIRE X Headphone Review

[Robbo99999]

When I was at Uni I noticed it made a massive difference one time, but I'm a noob on that, will probably stay a noob.

 

[xophere]

Surprised we got this first instead of an open back E3 that I was kinda expecting.
Unfortunately, glued pads in a $1k headphone make it a non-starter for me.

Agreed but I own the regular Noir's and have successfully swapped the pads and preserved the double sided tape and placed them back on these and the AEON X's. So while it is kinda lame it is sort of fine too. I am just careful to cover the sticky tape with non stick covers or even a zip lock bag.

 

[niknaks]

How does the Noire X compared to the Aeon 2 for classical music? Unsure which of the two to get, have Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back right now, love how they sound, but don't good for outdoor use due to size.

 

[maruko]

Few points:

• There must be a reason why headphones amplifiers producers state that the recommended headphones impedance range is between 16 to 600ohms. It looks like industry standard. I have checked TEAC, Violectric, Ferrum and Topping. 16 to 30 Ohms is considered low impedance in general.
• If “easy to drive – loud enough” is not the definition of sound quality.
• Some amplifiers makers share in their manuals that their models have current delivery limitations to protect the circuits at high loads. (For example, RME ADI-2 DAC FS on page 12 of the manual).
• Looking at the SINAD results, HP amps drop like a rock between 30 ohms down to 12 ohms due to distortion and noise increase. You can see the measurements at 12 ohms for a few amps at headphones.com. Exp: Ferrum OOR measures SINAD around 115 dB at 30 ohm (EXCELLENT) and 75 dB at 12ohms (FAIR). Even uber expensive pure class A Zähl HM1lands at 75 dB SINAD at 12 ohms.If anyone has SINAD measurements results for any HP amp at 12 ohms loads that are really good please share

Bad news - your amplifier’s performance at 13 ohms will be degraded to FAIR from standard 300 and 30 ohms EXCELLENT performance levels. Good news – it still may be good enough to enjoy the music.

I welcome comments based on specs, engineering principles, and measurements results.

I have a topping a90d.
What kind of reduction would I have in SINAD by piloting Aeon 2 Noire?

 

[Zibi]

I have a topping a90d.
What kind of reduction would I have in SINAD by piloting Aeon 2 Noire?

I do not know who has measured a90d at 12 Ohms loads (try Headphones.com). Everything what I was trying to share is not to look only at amplifier very good SINAD results for 32 Ohms and make assumptions that the same amplifier will perform well at much lower impedance loads. Some will and some will not, by design. Can you tell the difference? that is another story, hard to guess.

 

[Ahmonge]

I do not know who has measured a90d at 12 Ohms

Perhaps this would help (from de A90D ASR review)

 

[evanft]

So is Dan Clark's goal to basically dominate the closed back market? It seems like he basically owns the market above a certain price point now.

 

[Henreid]

How does the Noire X compare to the Aeon 2 for classical music?

From the reviews I've seen, I believe the Noire X is a better headphone overall than the Aeon 2, and will be a superior performer when reproducing Classical music. Unfortunately, few reviewers listen to Classical music when evaluating headphones, so it's difficult to know how they might compare in that genre. If I'm interpreting your question correctly, you may be wondering if the open-back Aeon 2 will be better than closed-back models in presenting the soundstage of orchestral music. I've gathered that the Aeon 2 has not given reviewers the impression of a wider soundstage. The Dan Clark Audio E3 (which costs twice as much as the Noire X) has been described as having the best soundstage of any closed-back headphone. If your budget can stretch that far, you may want to consider that model (the E3 can be found in "open box" sales for around $1700, depending upon availability). No doubt there are several open-back headphones with a convincing soundstage, but finding expansive sound, accurate frequency response, finely detailed imaging, and low distortion in a single model is rare. If you'd like to experience an open-back planar headphone without spending a lot of money, you might try the $210 Fiio FT-1 Pro. It isn't in the same league as the Noire X (nor is its soundstage exceptionally broad) but it has been praised for offering good value for the price.

 

[Henreid]

So is Dan Clark's goal to dominate the closed back market? It seems like he basically owns the market above a certain price point now.

In the 2024 ranking of closed-back headphones by "The Headphone Show", a YouTube review site, the Dan Clark Audio E3 was the single model in the "A+" tier, with the Noire X and the Drop+ Aeon Closed X receiving an "A" tier rating. Dan Clark Audio was the only headphone maker with 3 models in those top two tiers. The question of which brand "owns the market" is open to debate, but I think there is a broad consensus that Dan Clark Audio closed-back planars are performing impressively.
Closed Back headphones RANKED

 

[starky90]

How does the Noire X compared to the Aeon 2 for classical music? Unsure which of the two to get, have Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back right now, love how they sound, but don't good for outdoor use due to size.

I listen a lot of classical and found mixed results with the noirx. The instruments sound very clean and distinct, but there really is no energy with this headphone. It sounded really flat and boring to me with little timbre to the stringed instruments. I was really expecting to be blown away but found it pretty lackluster. It also requires some extra power to drive compared to my other phones (mcintosh 2105).

 

[Pictus]

In the 2024 ranking of closed-back headphones by "The Headphone Show"(...)

S-tier:
Dan Clark Audio E3

A-tier:
Dan Clark Audio Aeon X Closed
Dan Clark Audio Aeon Noir X
ZMF Caldera Closed
ZMF Verite Closed
Focal Azurys
Fiio FT1

B-tier:
AKG K361 and K371
Meze Liric 2
Sony MDR-M1
Sennheiser HD 620S
Focal Celestee
Focal Radiance
Dan Clark Audio Stealth
ZMF Atrium Closed
ZMF Bokeh Closed
AudioTechnica ATH-W2022

C-tier:
Sony MDR Z7 Mark II
Denon AHD 9200
Rode NTH-100
Audeze LCD-X Closed
Sony MDR Z1R
Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X
Neumann NDH20
Sony MDR7506
Sony CD900ST
Beyerdynamic DT 770
Sennheiser HD569
Focal Stellia

D-tier:
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Audeze LCD-2 Closed
Fostex T60RP
Meze 99 Classics
AudioTechnica ATH-M50X
Hifiman Isvarna
Fostex TH610
Beyerdynamic DT-1770 MKII
Fostex TH900

F-tier:
Hifiman R9
Hifiman R10
Fostex T50RP
Beyerdynamic T5P
Shure 1540
Sennheiser HD820
AudioTechnica ATH-AWAS
AudioTechnica ATH-AWKT
Fostex TH1000RP

Shame-tier:
Hifiman Audivina
Hifiman Sundara Closed
AudioTechnica ATH-AP2000Ti

 

[DrFlimFlam]

I mean, you are talking about tier list from people who just hear the headphones and "this is good" "this is bad" because "include pseudoscience audio snakeoil" to the point one for example says the noire X are S tier, and the other guy say they are B tier while also putting the FIIO FT1 at the same level, lol

 

[Dan Clark]

I listen a lot of classical and found mixed results with the noirx. The instruments sound very clean and distinct, but there really is no energy with this headphone. It sounded really flat and boring to me with little timbre to the stringed instruments. I was really expecting to be blown away but found it pretty lackluster. It also requires some extra power to drive compared to my other phones (mcintosh 2105).

Just a note, I haven't heard this unit so I don't want to comment on your experience, but that said this does use the speaker amp and a "headphone matching network" which is usually a restive voltage divider. So the output impedance and actual available headphone power appear to be unknown, and output impedance *may* be high. This is the one part of the schematic that is a "black box" and isn't shown... That's not the ideal for a headphone output, as often those networks will have high output z, which also isn't specified, and that causes most power to be dissipated as heat instead of getting to the headphone. If you aren't getting distortion it may be OK, but you may also want to try a dedicated headphone amp with Zout in the 1ohm range. Hope that's useful info...

 

[sssn]

Has anyone ever compared the newer Noire X vs the Aeon 2 Noire? I have both here right now and feel crazy for preferring the older Aeons, since both subjective and objective reviews basically state the Noire Xs are a direct upgrade. The difference between these phones isn't huge to me, but the Noire X sounds a tad more fatiguing up top while bass is barely different. I do not notice major differences in soundstage either. Using the Topping DX3+ as a source btw.

Then again, many people state that the effect of the Noire X's AMTS is pretty dependent on your individual HRTF and maybe it doesn't synergize well with mine. Could that be it?

 

[Henreid]

Has anyone ever compared the newer Noire X vs the Aeon 2 Noire? The Noire X sounds a tad more fatiguing up top while bass is barely different. I do not notice major differences in soundstage either.
Then again, many people state that the effect of the Noire X's AMTS is pretty dependent on your individual HRTF and maybe it doesn't synergize well with mine. Could that be it?

You may be correct that differences in ear geometry from person to person could make the Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System of Dan Clark headphones more or less effective (even though the frequency response of the Noire X and the Aeon 2 Noire are similar when measured on a test rig). I have seen one reviewer state that the AMTS of the Noire X doesn't work well for him, and he actually prefers the treble of the Massdrop DCA Aeon Closed X - which is half the price - while noting that the bass on the Noire X is superior.
So, the listening fatigue you experience with the Noire X could indeed result from a less-than-ideal interface between the AMTS and your ear.

 

[jamster]

Has anyone ever compared the newer Noire X vs the Aeon 2 Noire? I have both here right now and feel crazy for preferring the older Aeons, since both subjective and objective reviews basically state the Noire Xs are a direct upgrade. The difference between these phones isn't huge to me, but the Noire X sounds a tad more fatiguing up top while bass is barely different. I do not notice major differences in soundstage either. Using the Topping DX3+ as a source btw.

Then again, many people state that the effect of the Noire X's AMTS is pretty dependent on your individual HRTF and maybe it doesn't synergize well with mine. Could that be it?

My X's just arrived; comparing them directly now. Using a FiiO K9 AKM, USB from Qobuz.

Compared to the Aeon 2 Noire, the Xs are notably brighter in the treble, and the bass is tighter but slightly less present. Soundstage is similar although a bit masked by all that treble (and I like treble). They punch a little better, lack a bit of the 'fluidity' of the 2 Noires, and sound more like other planars I've tried.

I'm not sure which I like more yet. Much more different than I'd expected.

 

[ThatGuyYouKnow]

The right driver on my Aeon 2 died yet again, as has happened to others. Any such reports for the Noire X? Should I just go with a different brand this time?

 

[jamster]

OK - a bit more testing. Treble is too shouty for me. Female voices sound unnaturally raspy. Perhaps I need to spend a bit longer to adjust.
Comparing to Heddphone 2 and Senn 800s - both sound more natural to my ears. The OG Aeon 2 Noire sound darker than all three and have more liquidity / less resolving (but great to relax to).

Day 1, though, so I will give it a few more days and see how they bed in.

 

[niknaks]

Looking for a good DAP to pair with these, my budget is below £600, if anyone has any recommendations would be great, thanks.

 

[patoulol]

I mean, you are talking about tier list from people who just hear the headphones and "this is good" "this is bad" because "include pseudoscience audio snakeoil" to the point one for example says the noire X are S tier, and the other guy say they are B tier while also putting the FIIO FT1 at the same level, lol

I didn't understand your message, what's the problem?