Dan Clark NOIRE X Headphone Review

[AryaStealth]

Thomann should handle the warranty, the question is whether they will send you another pair as a replacement immediately or you will have to wait until Dan Clark Audio receives your Noire X, checks for channel imbalance and sends back to Thomann a new Noire X for you (It will take at least a month).
If you set the volume 93% (-1.1db) for one channel to move the vocals back to center it means that the real channel imbalance is 2-3db, our ears can adjust to it up to a point.

 

[Ahmonge]

If you set the volume 93% (-1.1db) for one channel to move the vocals back to center it means that the real channel imbalance is 2-3db, our ears can adjust to it up to a point.

My experience with HP sound imbalance is that 2-3dB are enough to ruin the stereo image, no matter how long I tried to accustom to it. Worse than the same amount on a speakers based system.

 

[AryaStealth]

It seems I didn't write correctly, I meant that our ears can ajust (or not hear) channel imbalance up to 2db, so when someone clearly hears 1db channel imbalance it is very likely the real channel imbalance is +1 or +2db more.

 

[Robbo99999]

Hi,

I purchased the Nore X headphones in April 2025, from Thomann here in Europe, but unfortunately, I’m past the return period.

I’ve been noticing a slight channel imbalance — vocals and imaging are slightly shifted to the left. This occurs even when using a test CD with a track specifically designed to check channel balance.

I tried adjusting the balance in EQ software and found that I need to reduce the left channel volume to around 93% (with the right at 100%) to perceive the vocals as perfectly centered.

To make sure it’s not an issue with my hearing, I sat exactly in the center (measured) between my loudspeakers and experienced no imbalance or shifting. In fact, when I applied the same balance correction used for the headphones, vocals and imaging shifted noticeably to the right.

I’ve never dropped the headphones to the ground or disconnected them while the amplifier (Topping A90D) was on. I always unplug the power first.

Thomann is offering a repair service at their own facilities. However, as much as I trust them, considering how precise this headphone is and the tight tolerances it’s built to, I’d prefer to avoid having it opened by their technicians (don't know if they deal directly with Dan Clark, in this case).

So, what I can do?

Has anyone else experienced this issue? What should I do in this case — is it something covered under warranty?

I also have no idea how they'd fix the channel imbalance! I think they'd have to organise a replacement.

 

[maruko]

Hi,

I purchased the Nore X headphones in April 2025, from Thomann here in Europe, but unfortunately, I’m past the return period.

I’ve been noticing a slight channel imbalance — vocals and imaging are slightly shifted to the left. This occurs even when using a test CD with a track specifically designed to check channel balance.

I tried adjusting the balance in EQ software and found that I need to reduce the left channel volume to around 93% (with the right at 100%) to perceive the vocals as perfectly centered.

To make sure it’s not an issue with my hearing, I sat exactly in the center (measured) between my loudspeakers and experienced no imbalance or shifting. In fact, when I applied the same balance correction used for the headphones, vocals and imaging shifted noticeably to the right.

I’ve never dropped the headphones to the ground or disconnected them while the amplifier (Topping A90D) was on. I always unplug the power first.

Thomann is offering a repair service at their own facilities. However, as much as I trust them, considering how precise this headphone is and the tight tolerances it’s built to, I’d prefer to avoid having it opened by their technicians (don't know if they deal directly with Dan Clark, in this case).

So, what I can do?

Has anyone else experienced this issue? What should I do in this case — is it something covered under warranty?

I know it’s unscientific, but it’s the only method I have available to try to determine whether the imbalance I’m perceiving toward the left channel is due to my hearing, psychological bias, or the headphones themselves.
But it seems I’ve obtained consistent and repeatable results, what do you think?

I downloaded “Decibel X,” a paid SPL meter app for iPhone (7 days free trial). It seems well made, as it offers several weighting options, including dB(A), which according to the app “reflects the human ear’s response to sound” (I assume it takes the Fletcher-Munson curves into account?).

I played pink noise and measured a 1 minute average dB SPL from each earcup separately, repeated 10 times, and then averaged the 10 runs.

After that I adjusted channel balance in eQMac to reduce the level of the left channel by a -5% and then by a -20% and I made an average of 5 runs.

Here are the results, is this dBSPL difference enough to justify what I hear?

Average of 10 runs (1 minute each), no channel balance correction
Left channel 89 dB SPL
Right channel 87,69 dB SPL
Difference: 1,31 dB SPL

Average of 5 runs, software channel balance correction, -5% volume to left channel
Left channel 88,52 dBSPL
Right channel 87,64 dB SPL
Difference: 0,88 dB SPL

Average of 5 runs, software channel balance correction, -20% volume to left channel
Left channel 84,92 dBSPL
Right channel 85,66 dB SPL
Difference: 0,74 dB SPL, This time it's the right channel that sounds louder, as expected, and reflect what I hear (a shift to the right).

Is this dBSPL difference enough to justify what I hear, considering the unscientific method I used?

 

[Theriverlethe]

Is this dBSPL difference enough to justify what I hear, considering the unscientific method I used?

You don't really need to justify something as obvious as off-center vocals. There should not be a noticeable channel imbalance with $1000 headphones. You could try listening with a different pair if you think it might be your hearing.

 

[Robbo99999]

I know it’s unscientific, but it’s the only method I have available to try to determine whether the imbalance I’m perceiving toward the left channel is due to my hearing, psychological bias, or the headphones themselves.
But it seems I’ve obtained consistent and repeatable results, what do you think?

I downloaded “Decibel X,” a paid SPL meter app for iPhone (7 days free trial). It seems well made, as it offers several weighting options, including dB(A), which according to the app “reflects the human ear’s response to sound” (I assume it takes the Fletcher-Munson curves into account?).

I played pink noise and measured a 1 minute average dB SPL from each earcup separately, repeated 10 times, and then averaged the 10 runs.

After that I adjusted channel balance in eQMac to reduce the level of the left channel by a -5% and then by a -20% and I made an average of 5 runs.

Here are the results, is this dBSPL difference enough to justify what I hear?

Average of 10 runs (1 minute each), no channel balance correction
Left channel 89 dB SPL
Right channel 87,69 dB SPL
Difference: 1,31 dB SPL

Average of 5 runs, software channel balance correction, -5% volume to left channel
Left channel 88,52 dBSPL
Right channel 87,64 dB SPL
Difference: 0,88 dB SPL

Average of 5 runs, software channel balance correction, -20% volume to left channel
Left channel 84,92 dBSPL
Right channel 85,66 dB SPL
Difference: 0,74 dB SPL, This time it's the right channel that sounds louder, as expected, and reflect what I hear (a shift to the right).

Is this dBSPL difference enough to justify what I hear, considering the unscientific method I used?

If you've not got a repeatable/reliable rig to measure headphones on then it's difficult to be sure. I mean there's lots of questions on how you'd use an iphone to measure the channel balance of a headphone & I'm not even gonna bother mentioning any. Bottom line (as @Theriverlethe ) mentioned, if you perceive channel imbalance (and it's not due to temporary blocked ears) then see if you can get them replaced - not everyone can measure headphones, you need to build a reliable rig or buy one, which is why I bought a miniDSP EARS which is absolutely fine for things like guaging channel balance and even creating channel balance EQ's for the seperate channels to make sure your headphones are exactly channel balanced from 20-20000Hz within reason. But you don't have to go to those extremes, if you think you have a channel balance issue then get a replacement, which is even more relevant if you've got an uber high end headphone like this DCA.

 

[isostasy]

@maruko you've missed the simplest trick of simply putting the headphones on your head backwards so you get the opposing channel into each ear. If the imbalance then appears on the other side it suggests it's the headphones, not your hearing.

As others have said you're perceiving a fault and have consumer rights so wouldn't second guess yourself.

Your iPhone test seems reasonable and not "unscientific" in the sense it could be repeatable, if you can ensure you can set your iPhone up at the same distance. I wouldn't think you even needed to play the test signal for a minute each time, just a blast would work.

 

[TK33]

I know it’s unscientific, but it’s the only method I have available to try to determine whether the imbalance I’m perceiving toward the left channel is due to my hearing, psychological bias, or the headphones themselves.
But it seems I’ve obtained consistent and repeatable results, what do you think?

I downloaded “Decibel X,” a paid SPL meter app for iPhone (7 days free trial). It seems well made, as it offers several weighting options, including dB(A), which according to the app “reflects the human ear’s response to sound” (I assume it takes the Fletcher-Munson curves into account?).

I played pink noise and measured a 1 minute average dB SPL from each earcup separately, repeated 10 times, and then averaged the 10 runs.

After that I adjusted channel balance in eQMac to reduce the level of the left channel by a -5% and then by a -20% and I made an average of 5 runs.

Here are the results, is this dBSPL difference enough to justify what I hear?

Average of 10 runs (1 minute each), no channel balance correction
Left channel 89 dB SPL
Right channel 87,69 dB SPL
Difference: 1,31 dB SPL

Average of 5 runs, software channel balance correction, -5% volume to left channel
Left channel 88,52 dBSPL
Right channel 87,64 dB SPL
Difference: 0,88 dB SPL

Average of 5 runs, software channel balance correction, -20% volume to left channel
Left channel 84,92 dBSPL
Right channel 85,66 dB SPL
Difference: 0,74 dB SPL, This time it's the right channel that sounds louder, as expected, and reflect what I hear (a shift to the right).

Is this dBSPL difference enough to justify what I hear, considering the unscientific method I used?

Have you tried swapping sides on the cable to rule out a cable issue? If its a driver issue, you would hear it lean to the same side even if you swapped left and right cables (i.e.plug the left cable into the right side and the right cable into the left side). You can also test with a multi meter (plenty of tutorials online). This happened with my Aeon 2 Noire and, after testing on my own, I reached out to DCA and they were able to repair it for me. Mine were 4 years old so I paid to get it repaired but the Noire X is still new so they will likely fix under warranty.

 

[BeeKay]

Given there is a technical problem (did the imbalance move to the other side when wearing the headphone backwards?) the charge free warranty procedure might depend on the fine print. Even if you wish to have it serviced by DCA rather than Thomann this may not be a choice you can make.

 

[Ahmonge]

Has anyone else experienced this issue? What should I do in this case — is it something covered under warranty?

Contact DCA customer service. It is one of the best in the industry and I am sure they will inform you of the options available. However, since you reside in an EU country, I would rule out sending the headphones to the US for repair or exchange, as you will have to pay VAT plus duty on the value as new when you receive the package, as it will be considered an import.

In any case, EU law provides for a two-year legal warranty for consumer goods, which must be honored by the seller of the product (in this case, Thomann).

 

[maruko]

Have you tried swapping sides on the cable to rule out a cable issue? If its a driver issue, you would hear it lean to the same side even if you swapped left and right cables (i.e.plug the left cable into the right side and the right cable into the left side). You can also test with a multi meter (plenty of tutorials online). This happened with my Aeon 2 Noire and, after testing on my own, I reached out to DCA and they were able to repair it for me. Mine were 4 years old so I paid to get it repaired but the Noire X is still new so they will likely fix under warranty.

Yes, I tried, the sound shift to the same side.

 

[maruko]

Contact DCA customer service. It is one of the best in the industry and I am sure they will inform you of the options available. However, since you reside in an EU country, I would rule out sending the headphones to the US for repair or exchange, as you will have to pay VAT plus duty on the value as new when you receive the package, as it will be considered an import.

In any case, EU law provides for a two-year legal warranty for consumer goods, which must be honored by the seller of the product (in this case, Thomann).

I contacted DCA and they said that with their warranty the headphones are still covered, and they will fix this imbalance. I should ship to USA and the will pay to ship them back to me.

 

[Gweeds]

That would be a no from me - the goods are faulty, they should be replaced for a new pair and the warranty fix applied at their inconvenience rather than yours. I assume they're almost new as they're not long out.

 

[maruko]

That would be a no from me - the goods are faulty, they should be replaced for a new pair and the warranty fix applied at their inconvenience rather than yours. I assume they're almost new as they're not long out.

Well, I suppose they will fix for free (I hope). This is the email:

"I am very sorry to hear this! With our warranty the headphones are still covered, we will fix this imbalance here in USA. Our policy is you post the headphones to us and we will pay to ship them back to you".

 

[Gweeds]

Yes but you're in the EU yes? Go back to the retailer and request a replacement.

 

[maruko]

Yes but you're in the EU yes? Go back to the retailer and request a replacement.

Retailer offered fixing in first instance, not replacement

 

[Gweeds]

How old are they and what country are you in?

 

[BeeKay]

Retailer offered fixing in first instance, not replacement

Which complies with EU law:

„If the product is faulty or not as described, you are entitled to the following free of charge (including shipping or service costs):

• Repair
• Replacement
• If repair/replacement is not possible or fails:
  • Price reduction
  • Full refund
• The choice between repair and replacement must be fair and not disproportionate to the seller.“

 

[PBSequence]

Retailer offered fixing in first instance, not replacement

Have you actually reached out to Thomann? They have really good customer service in my experience. Since it is within the warranty period, they’ll send them in for repair and pay for the shipping costs, which would be preferable to sending them in yourself?