Dan Clark NOIRE X Headphone Review

[Viennacalling]

Ive now heard from a few people that they dont love the comfort of the stitched leather straps, even though they look great. Mainly from the customers that buy my Aeon replacement strap who also own higher end DCA headphones. I will design one of my stretchy, breathable replacement strap for them like the one below, will help people that have comfort issues with the stock one. I just need to get my hands on a model with the stitched leather strap locally (Toronto), I only own the Drop X Closed and old Noir.

Mr Clark, any chance to get some assistance from you for my design?

View attachment 410155


View attachment 410156

Where can I get this headband?
This looks perfect

 

[jamster]

So, my decision has been to return them.

They are undoubtedly excellent headphones but the treble is too lively for my ears, and so they are almost immediately fatiguing. The headband is less comfortable than the outgoing model too; it creates a pressure spot right on the top of my head. So, I could only use them in small doses. A real shame, as I really liked the outgoing model that I tried out, and expected these to be an upgrade

 

[Robbo99999]

So, my decision has been to return them.

They are undoubtedly excellent headphones but the treble is too lively for my ears, and so they are almost immediately fatiguing. The headband is less comfortable than the outgoing model too; it creates a pressure spot right on the top of my head. So, I could only use them in small doses. A real shame, as I really liked the outgoing model that I tried out, and expected these to be an upgrade

Maybe you weren't getting a good seal. Looking at Oratory's EQ of these headphones he's included a 300Hz Low Shelf filter that is there for the user to adjust if you get a poor seal, as he said the response below 300Hz drops if you get a poor seal - which would make the headphones sound too bright, here's the EQ and his note is at the bottom.

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[jamster]

Maybe you weren't getting a good seal. Looking at Oratory's EQ of these headphones he's included a 300Hz Low Shelf filter that is there for the user to adjust if you get a poor seal, as he said the response below 300Hz drops if you get a poor seal - which would make the headphones sound too bright, here's the EQ and his note is at the bottom.
View attachment 445521

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Unfortunately not. I tried the Oratory EQ but it didn't tame these.

Scan, in the UK, will likely have a perfect 'ex-demo' pair at a discount soon, if anyone is looking. I feel bad about returning them because I was pretty confident that I'd enjoy them when I placed the order, having tried their predecessors, but they're an expensive purchase if I can't use them for more than half an hour.

I'm firmly middle-aged but still pretty sensitive to sibilant treble, so it might be that. (Although listening on my 800s now and not getting any issue despite no EQ and a very similar sound signature).

 

[ErinPraline]

This is the headphone I've been waiting for since the Stealth was first announced and now that I've had one for about a week I couldn't be happier. this is the first pair of headphones I haven't felt the need to EQ.

The headband isn't an issue for me personally , I wonder if it's because I still have a full head of hair or just personal preference

 

[Blake]

The headband isn't an issue for me personally , I wonder if it's because I still have a full head of hair or just personal preference

Shots fired at everyone who finds the headband to be an issue. Seriously, though, it hadn't occurred to me that my baldness could be a factor with DCA headbands, but it's a reasonable thought.

FWIW, I'm really happy with my headband from maximit's Etsy shop on my Aeon RT, so I'd recommend trying one for anybody who wants an alternative to the stock headband.

 

[Ten Protons]

@Dan Clark
Finally, I can write my review about Noire X.
When listening for the first two months, I found them to be detailed with a very natural tonality, but too bright. I started using the equalizer.
But then I thought that maybe the tracks I was listening to didn't have the best mixing.
I decided to look for tracks that are considered reference tracks by the best sound engineers... I found a few such tracks and it turned out that they sounded perfect in these headphones without equalizer!

I'm just delighted - for $1000 headphones, they produce one of the most natural tonality, have unsurpassed detail and the best comfort I've ever experienced.
I compared Noire X with these models: Denon 9200, Audeze LCD-2 Closed, and THIEAUDIO Monarch MKII - Noire X surpasses them in all parameters. The only point is that THIEAUDIO Monarch MKII has more accurate and deeper bass, but it is not enough to compete.

For listening, I use Neutron HiFi DAC V1 - its power is enough with reserve to drive these headphones.

If you're interested, here's a list of the tracks I found that sound engineers consider the best:

 

[patoulol]

@Dan Clark
Finally, I can write my review about Noire X.
When listening for the first two months, I found them to be detailed with a very natural tonality, but too bright. I started using the equalizer.
But then I thought that maybe the tracks I was listening to didn't have the best mixing.
I decided to look for tracks that are considered reference tracks by the best sound engineers... I found a few such tracks and it turned out that they sounded perfect in these headphones without equalizer!

I'm just delighted - for $1000 headphones, they produce one of the most natural tonality, have unsurpassed detail and the best comfort I've ever experienced.
I compared Noire X with these models: Denon 9200, Audeze LCD-2 Closed, and THIEAUDIO Monarch MKII - Noire X surpasses them in all parameters. The only point is that THIEAUDIO Monarch MKII has more accurate and deeper bass, but it is not enough to compete.

For listening, I use Neutron HiFi DAC V1 - its power is enough with reserve to drive these headphones.

If you're interested, here's a list of the tracks I found that sound engineers consider the best:

talking about "reference" "mixing" "test" by sharing on Spotify that is not lossless is quite confusing

 

[Ten Protons]

talking about "reference" "mixing" "test" by sharing on Spotify that is not lossless is quite confusing

Did I understand you correctly that you can hear the difference between 320 kbps and 1000 kbps?

 

[patoulol]

Did I understand you correctly that you can hear the difference between 320 kbps and 1000 kbps?

I don't hear (the difference) it (in 90% of cases). You are right.

But why pay for 320 if you can have lossless for the same price?

On ASR we choose the best at the same price, to the measure, even if we don't hear the difference ^^

 

[Ten Protons]

I don't hear (the difference) it (in 90% of cases). You are right.

But why pay for 320 if you can have lossless for the same price?

On ASR we choose the best at the same price, to the measure, even if we don't hear the difference ^^

Interesting. Can you tell me what service you use at the same price?

 

[patoulol]

Interesting. Can you tell me what service you use at the same price?

Spotify Personal Premium: €11.12/month

Deezer Premium: €11.99/month (lossless CD quality)

0.87 difference, sorry not exactly the same price

But for a small difference you access lossless with your great Noire X. !

It's a tribute to mastering engineers (I do mastering : D )

 

[Ten Protons]

Spotify Personal Premium: €11.12/month

Deezer Premium: €11.99/month (lossless CD quality)

0.87 difference, sorry not exactly the same price

But for a small difference you access lossless with your great Noire X. !

It's a tribute to mastering engineers (I do mastering : D )

Thank you. I'll check the prices for Deezer Premium in my region, because right now I have Spotify Premium Duo for 6.49 USD.

 

[maximit]

Where can I get this headband?
This looks perfect

Thank you, its available on my etsy store: www.maximit.ca

 

[BeeKay]

Thank you, its available on my etsy store: www.maximit.ca

anyone aware of an European source? Shipping and tax makes this a bit unattractive.

 

[maximit]

I designed it and make them in Canada, its only available direct. Here is a 20% off code to help with the shipping: ASR20

 

[BeeKay]

I designed it and make them in Canada, its only available direct. Here is a 20% off code to help with the shipping: ASR20

Thanks a bunch. Order is out

 

[Mort]

I designed it and make them in Canada, its only available direct. Here is a 20% off code to help with the shipping: ASR20

Baha. I ordered before I saw the code. All good. Fair price.

 

[ErinPraline]

@Dan Clark How susceptible to glasses are the Noire X? I've been using up my contacts out of the fear of my glasses causing me to lose a seal

 

[Mort]

@Dan Clark How susceptible to glasses are the Noire X? I've been using up my contacts out of the fear of my glasses causing me to lose a seal

Pretty sensitive. I have to angle mine up to get a great seal.