Dan Clark NOIRE X Headphone Review

[Grimoire]

How do these do with hollywood style orchestras, EDM and pop music? I did place an order for them but just curious how other people are finding it for more general listening

Transparent.

 

[Arguile]

Transparent.

A second question, but I'm planning to drive them with my schitt stack (modi/Magni). This is probably a silly question but this DAC/AMP combo should be more than adequate correct?

 

[Grimoire]

A second question, but I'm planning to drive them with my schitt stack (modi/Magni). This is probably a silly question but this DAC/AMP combo should be more than adequate correct?

I don't know my Schitt, but I'm using the Fosi ZH3 on low gain without any problems if that helps.

 

[Arguile]

I don't know my Schitt, but I'm using the Fosi ZH3 on low gain without any problems if that helps.

Hopefully these fare better than my Aurorus Australis. I had some durability issues with those towards the end. Hoping they sound strong with EQ or without. Any settings I should try?

 

[Arguile]

For those who have it though, how's the durability? And durability witn Dan Clark stuff in general? They are on the way so I'm fairly excited to see what they can do.

 

[Grobbelboy]

Had a Noire, Expanse, Stealth and E3 and all of them were of outstanding quality. Engineering and choice of materials is top of the line.

 

[Arguile]

Trying these for a day and I have to say they sound great but so far, quite uncomfortable to wear. They clamp on the sides of my head in a way that causes my glasses to dig into the sides of my skull - also the headband starts to dig into the top of my head. Does anyone have a potential solution for this?

 

[Steakhouse]

I would say that those headphones are not really suitable for listening with glasses unless the glasses have really thin arms. I own the Noire X and with my glasses much of the bass is lost. Especially the closed ones lie, the Noire X and E3 have a high acoustic impedance and are prone to change of sound when seal is not perfect.

 

[Grimoire]

I would say that those headphones are not really suitable for listening with glasses unless the glasses have really thin arms. I own the Noire X and with my glasses much of the bass is lost. Especially the closed ones lie, the Noire X and E3 have a high acoustic impedance and are prone to change of sound when seal is not perfect.

Not my experience. I am wearing glasses and have long hair as I listen to them now. Supremely comfortable and they sound tip-top, even if I if I move them around a bit.

 

[Arguile]

I would say that those headphones are not really suitable for listening with glasses unless the glasses have really thin arms. I own the Noire X and with my glasses much of the bass is lost. Especially the closed ones lie, the Noire X and E3 have a high acoustic impedance and are prone to change of sound when seal is not perfect.

Is this mitigated with the Noire XO? Though my issue is comfort, not listening experience.

 

[Steakhouse]

You would have to try if the clamp force is lower. I would say that the clamp force is delibrately like it is to obtain proper seal.

 

[Ahmonge]

Temples compatible with my Aeon 2 Noires:

 

[sharock]

I appreciate this isn't an option for everyone, but laser eye surgery was life changing for me. Not needing glasses anymore was liberating!

 

[Arguile]

The clamping force is just too much for me so sadly I'll have to send them back.

 

[Alexander Gödde]

You can ask their support to send you an alternative set of screws for the hinges (for free AFAIK) which reduces clamp force. Worth a try.

 

[Arguile]

Support is also mentioning the seal will still be compromised to the same degree with the Noire X and Noire XO. They did mention a clamp force reduction by loosening the nylon screws

 

[jhaider]

This is a quote from the Senn 630 review, but the relates to ANX.

…My DAC Noire X are much weaker here and more resemble DMS's measurement where bass is also on the low side. I have to boost my Noire X by about 6 dB below 100Hz to get them on the same level als the HDB 630.

DCA Aeon Noire X Measurements & Official Discussion

This is the place to discuss all things to do with the DCA Aeon Noire X. DCA were kind enough to send us some units for testing. Check out DMS’s Aeon Noire X review: Here are the measurements: DCA Aeon Noire X Frequency Response (HpTF Variation) Resolve Unit (GRAS KB50XX & B&K...

forum.headphones.com

Can someone explain to me what this may mean?
“rather it’s that the AMTS just doesn’t cause sound to propagate at my eardrum the way it does on a HATS.”

Admittedly, I didn't realize until now that the metamaterial was actually in front of the drive unit. I thought it was "cabinet damping," similar to KEF or @Patrick Bateman's experiments with SB Acoustics tweeters. But regardless, I'm puzzled on what kind of mechanism may drive that.

FWIW, I recently picked up a Noire X. I liked the sound of the A2N when I was super still, but they made an oil canning sound every time I turned my head, and the cups slipped down over a longer listening section. So I moved on.

ANX does neither of those things. The gimbal design is much improved. I can turn my head without wincing because of the resulting ping. The bass seems fine with my glasses on (plastic arms). They only make the oil can ping when you tap the outer cup. Overall really nice headphones. Even getting a hint of spatial effects, which typically elude me in headphones (Senn HD800 and AKG N700NCm2 excepted).

I have not played with any EQ in my RME ADI-2 Pro or Quedlix yet. FWIW, Quedlix 5K doesn't have enough oomph for them with the standard connection, so I picked up a 2.5mm balanced cable from a fellow on eBay who goes by "Claremont Cables," and turns out lives just a couple blocks from my condo in law school. That works just fine, though probably a waste because I don't see these leaving my desk.

 

[Rayman30]

My left and right channels read 14.5 and 15.0 Ω. Is this a normal range of tolerance?

 

[A Surfer]

My left and right channels read 14.5 and 15.0 Ω. Is this a normal range of tolerance?

Drivers matching within.5 is quite good.

 

[w1nzt0n]

Has anyone compared them directly to the E3? I am interested to know which one has better vocals and slam, mostly for rock/metal.