Dan Clark NOIRE X Headphone Review

[A.West]

This Spanish reviewer has an excellent review of the NX. I just bought them for my workplace open office where I want noise isolation. Big upgrade from my DT770! https://misauriculares.com/2025/04/08/review-dan-clark-audio-dca-noire-x/
I read via Chrome's translation to English. This guy's reviews are really great because he uses a consistent structure that touches on most important aspects for long term use. I'm sure he also reads Amir's reviews as well. He agrees with Amir on these headphones, among best in class. In my home office I've ended up with all the same equipment for semi-cost-effective TOTL system - RME ADI 2, Stax 400s, Stax X9000, equalized. Which is my new reference point. Absolutely awesome sound, but everyone within 50 meters would be listening to the Stax with me. The Noire X provides most of their tonality and separation, (even without EQ) and for a closed back, offers good comfort and spaciousness. (But nowhere near the seeming acoustic space of a Senn 800 or Stax X9000 which are masters of that dimension).

 

[Theriverlethe]

This Spanish reviewer has an excellent review of the NX. I just bought them for my workplace open office where I want noise isolation. Big upgrade from my DT770! https://misauriculares.com/2025/04/08/review-dan-clark-audio-dca-noire-x/
I read via Chrome's translation to English. This guy's reviews are really great because he uses a consistent structure that touches on most important aspects for long term use. I'm sure he also reads Amir's reviews as well. He agrees with Amir on these headphones, among best in class. In my home office I've ended up with all the same equipment for semi-cost-effective TOTL system - RME ADI 2, Stax 400s, Stax X9000, equalized. Which is my new reference point. Absolutely awesome sound, but everyone within 50 meters would be listening to the Stax with me. The Noire X provides most of their tonality and separation, (even without EQ) and for a closed back, offers good comfort and spaciousness. (But nowhere near the seeming acoustic space of a Senn 800 or Stax X9000 which are masters of that dimension).

I'm currently trying to decide between X and XO. They're both fantastic headphones without EQ. I think I like the timbre of X a little better but it's hard to tell without the ability to carefully volume match. (They have the same rated sensitivity, but there's also sample variation.)

Soundstage with headphones is very hard for me to judge and I really have no idea what people are talking about when they wax poetic over what is perhaps an inch difference in width. HD800 is the only headphone I've heard that was able to consistently project a small soundstage maybe 6"-1' in front of me and a few feet wide. However, I haven't heard HD800 in 10+ years and they also weren't equalized to anything approaching an enjoyable timbre. HifiMan just has a weirdly tall and muddled soundscape. The Dan Clarks seem to do a better job at stereo separation and localization vs. my equalized Edition XS, so I would give the nod to Dan Clark on imaging.

 

[justmusic]

Hi everyone, may I ask if it's normal for the low end on Noire X to sound thin and less deep?

I got Noire X recently, and after listening for about a week, I found that the low end feels thinner and less deep compared to my previous R70X.
I originally used just Babyface Pro FS, and after adding Topping L30 II as an amp, the result is still the same compared to R70X.
According to the frequency response graphs, Noire X should have deeper bass than R70X below 100–125 Hz. Furthermore, as a closed-back headphone, it should generally deliver better bass response than an open-back design.

Did I misunderstand something, or could my Noire X be defective? Because I am not sure I could use it for mixing and mastering for accuracy.

Thank you.

 

[Theriverlethe]

Hi everyone, may I ask if it's normal for the low end on Noire X to sound thin and less deep?

I got Noire X recently, and after listening for about a week, I found that the low end feels thinner and less deep compared to my previous R70X.
I originally used just Babyface Pro FS, and after adding Topping L30 II as an amp, the result is still the same compared to R70X.
According to the frequency response graphs, Noire X should have deeper bass than R70X below 100–125 Hz. Furthermore, as a closed-back headphone, it should generally deliver better bass response than an open-back design.

Did I misunderstand something, or could my Noire X be defective?

Thank you.

I don’t think that’s normal at all. Noire X should have noticeably more sub-bass than R70X. Are you sure you’re getting a good seal?

 

[Viper780]

Is the Volume the same?
The Audio-Technica is more Sensitive and plays louder - this gives the perception of more Bass and Details.

As you mentioned the NX is reaching deeper and gives you more Bass (it is easier for closed back, but also open back can have decent sub bass)
But the R70x pronunces the 120-180Hz Range more and this Area is important for the punchines.
What Music do you hear? Is there Information below 80Hz in it?

Here is a comparison of the FR of the NX and R70Xa https://earphonesarchive.squig.link..._X_(center),Audio-Technica_ATH-R70xa_(center)

Edit:
Are the Venting holes free and the Earpads are sitting good with enough pressure?

 

[justmusic]

I don’t think that’s normal at all. Noire X should have noticeably more sub-bass than R70X. Are you sure you’re getting a good seal?

Are the Venting holes free and the Earpads are sitting good with enough pressure?

Yeah! Noire X fits my head really well, so it's a good seal when listening. In contrast, R70X doesn't seal properly because I've been using it for years.

Is the Volume the same?

Yes, I adjust to the same volume for comparison, using the nob on Topping L30 II for adjustment. Apparently, the bass on R70X is deeper.

What Music do you hear? Is there Information below 80Hz in it?

I often hear pop music and orchestral music, and I specifically chose a track with a noticeable prominent sound around 70Hz at the beginning for comparison, and the result is that the R70X is louder and deeper. (Naughty Boy - La la la, official MV around 0:30)

That's why I'm really confused.

 

[Theriverlethe]

Yeah! Noire X fits my head really well, so it's a good seal when listening. In contrast, R70X doesn't seal properly because I've been using it for years.

Yes, I adjust to the same volume for comparison, using the nob on Topping L30 II for adjustment. Apparently, the bass on R70X is deeper.

I often hear pop music and orchestral music, and I specifically chose a track with a noticeable prominent sound around 70Hz at the beginning for comparison, and the result is that the R70X is louder and deeper. (Naughty Boy - La la la, official MV around 0:30)

That's why I'm really confused.

Seal doesn't matter as much with open backs. If anything, collapsing pads should result in more treble. Just to make sure we're on the same page, leaving the volume knob at the same position will result in very different volume levels from headphones with different sensitivities.

Are you sure the bass is actually at 70Hz on that track? What happens if you listen to, eg. "Lose Yourself to Dance" by Daft Punk? That mix sounds like it actually has a fair amount of sub-bass.

 

[Robbo99999]

Seal doesn't matter as much with open backs. If anything, collapsing pads should result in more treble. Just to make sure we're on the same page, leaving the volume knob at the same position will result in very different volume levels from headphones with different sensitivities.

Are you sure the bass is actually at 70Hz on that track? What happens if you listen to, eg. "Lose Yourself to Dance" by Daft Punk? That mix sounds like it actually has a fair amount of sub-bass.

(collapsing pads/more compressed pads as they age normally results in an increased frequency response below 1kHz, so a warmer headphone, not a brighter headphone).

 

[Theriverlethe]

(collapsing pads/more compressed pads as they age normally results in an increased frequency response below 1kHz, so a warmer headphone, not a brighter headphone).

You’re right, my memory is faulty on that. HD6XX does lose some sub-bass but a lot of treble with worn pads.

 

[justmusic]

Just to make sure we're on the same page, leaving the volume knob at the same position will result in very different volume levels from headphones with different sensitivities.

Sure, I know that. That's why I adjust the knob to different level when comparing.

What happens if you listen to, eg. "Lose Yourself to Dance" by Daft Punk? That mix sounds like it actually has a fair amount of sub-bass.

After comparing the song you recommended and focusing only on frequencies below 70Hz, the feeling is almost the same, or R70X is slightly more. However, when considering the entire frequency range, Noire X definitely feels thinner and less deep compared to R70X. Is it possible that the treble in the Noire X is much brighter, which could be influencing the perception of the bass? Do you have the same feeling?

I just want to make sure this headphone can be trusted for mixing.

Thank you.

 

[Theriverlethe]

Sure, I know that. That's why I adjust the knob to different level when comparing.

Volume matching done by ear isn't considered very reliable.

After comparing the song you recommended and focusing only on frequencies below 70Hz, the feeling is almost the same, or R70X is slightly more. However, when considering the entire frequency range, Noire X definitely feels thinner and less deep compared to R70X. Is it possible that the treble in the Noire X is much brighter, which could be influencing the perception of the bass? Do you have the same feeling?

I just want to make sure this headphone can be trusted for mixing.

Thank you.

I consulted with a knowledgeable friend about "La La Land." Apparently, it was industry practice at that time to sharply roll off sub-bass below 100Hz with pop music intended for FM broadcast. It was common to boost 80Hz - 150Hz for club playback. I really don't hear much sub-bass in the track, myself, but the whole thing is so horribly brick-walled that it's hard to tell. You absolutely should not use this track as a reference for mixing quality in 2025.

I'm more confused by your reaction to "Lose Yourself to Dance," because I hear a lot of sub-bass with my Noire X. There could be something wrong with your headphones, or the seal. Did you try the finger-rubbing test around the perimeter of the earpads?

 

[justmusic]

Hi, I don't take La La Land for reference actually, I just pick up that song with a noticeable prominent sound around 70Hz. My reference is "Nobody" from OneRepublic. It's clean and balanced.

However, when considering the entire frequency range, Noire X definitely feels thinner and less deep compared to R70X.

Sorry that I should describe more. The part I said is the chorus part (around 3:12 in official MV), not in the beginning.
Actually because of R70X and the frequency response, I just confused the low end performance with my Noire X. If I only have Noire X, I might feel enough.

Did you try the finger-rubbing test around the perimeter of the earpads?

Sorry I don't know what it is. I can feel that earpads are sitting good with enough pressure.

Thank you.

 

[Theriverlethe]

Sorry I don't know what it is. I can feel that earpads are sitting good with enough pressure.

Thank you.

Lightly rub your fingers together in the air around the perimeter of the ear pads, without touching them. If you hear your fingers at any point, you don’t have a seal (or you touched the ear pads).

 

[justmusic]

Lightly rub your fingers together in the air around the perimeter of the ear pads, without touching them. If you hear your fingers at any point, you don’t have a seal (or you touched the ear pads).

Thank you for your explanation. I'll test it and update result after I get home.

 

[justmusic]

Lightly rub your fingers together in the air around the perimeter of the ear pads, without touching them. If you hear your fingers at any point, you don’t have a seal (or you touched the ear pads).

Hi, I didn’t hear any sound of my fingers rubbing after testing, so it's a good seal!

 

[Rayman30]

Just got mine today, I needed a good closed back for the office.

First impressions, better physicality to the bass (macro dynamics) compared to the original, definitely tuned a little hot in upper mids, but I don’t find it sibilant for most tracks, I like the elevation personally, only nit pick is they sound a little dry? but these are very good! definitely prefer it to my Fiio FT1.

Using Amir’s EQ tames the slightly shouty upper midrange, but I don’t dislike the sound stock. Im impressed overall.

 

[justmusic]

By the way, does this mean my Noire X might be defective? Or does the R70X just naturally have more bass than the Noire X from a listening perspective?

 

[Rayman30]

By the way, does this mean my Noire X might be defective? Or does the R70X just naturally have more bass than the Noire X from a listening perspective?

Just EQ in a bass shelf.

 

[Psycher1]

Hi everyone, may I ask if it's normal for the low end on Noire X to sound thin and less deep?

I got Noire X recently, and after listening for about a week, I found that the low end feels thinner and less deep compared to my previous R70X.
I originally used just Babyface Pro FS, and after adding Topping L30 II as an amp, the result is still the same compared to R70X.
According to the frequency response graphs, Noire X should have deeper bass than R70X below 100–125 Hz. Furthermore, as a closed-back headphone, it should generally deliver better bass response than an open-back design.

Did I misunderstand something, or could my Noire X be defective? Because I am not sure I could use it for mixing and mastering for accuracy.

Thank you.

Do you wear glasses?

Dan Clark Aeon Closed X - no bass, repaired and no change

Hello all, I kept feeling disappointed in the bass of these headphones. Reading up on these and similarly priced headphones by Dan Clark Audio (one of which was reviewed here: link) suggests that these should play well into sub-bass frequencies. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was...

www.audiosciencereview.com

With glasses, I like my Dan Clark's (not this headphone but same shape), But, they sound like they've got a sharp high pass filter @150hz. Without glasses, they sound a little better with the upper/mid bass (Definitely improved!), but there have been a couple of times that the sub bass made me almost nauseous with how much power it had. Felt like a vacuum combined with a pressure chamber - the power is there, you just need to find it.

I also have long hair, I can't be certain as I'm not going to shave my head to test the headphone, but this could also be a variable.

Just EQ in a bass shelf.

not possible. I broke a fairly high powered headphone amp trying to do this (before I learned about how damaging glasses were). EQ can't fix a physics problem.

 

[Rayman30]

Do you wear glasses?

Dan Clark Aeon Closed X - no bass, repaired and no change

Hello all, I kept feeling disappointed in the bass of these headphones. Reading up on these and similarly priced headphones by Dan Clark Audio (one of which was reviewed here: link) suggests that these should play well into sub-bass frequencies. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was...

www.audiosciencereview.com

With glasses, I like my Dan Clark's (not this headphone but same shape), But, they sound like they've got a sharp high pass filter @150hz. Without glasses, they sound a little better with the upper/mid bass (Definitely improved!), but there have been a couple of times that the sub bass made me almost nauseous with how much power it had. Felt like a vacuum combined with a pressure chamber - the power is there, you just need to find it.

I also have long hair, I can't be certain as I'm not going to shave my head to test the headphone, but this could also be a variable.

not possible. I broke a fairly high powered headphone amp trying to do this (before I learned about how damaging glasses were). EQ can't fix a physics problem.

I am using Amir's EQ, with added bass shelf with no issues (Its a small 1.0 DB adjustment with low Q at 30 Hz) used on all of my amps (Element II, Topping A30 Pro and even iFi Uno) but also I do not notice any sound differences with glasses vs. no glasses with the Noire X (thin frame) these aren't big bass monsters, but they produce textured quality bass imo.

OP, do you have the option to use EQ?