Dan Clark NOIRE X Headphone Review

[Mike_Trueman]

Is there much difference between the Noire X and the E3?

 

[Captain Thunderpants]

Is there much difference between the Noire X and the E3?

It depends on many factors. Let's say for me E3 is 10% better than NX, but those 10% are between almost perfect and completely perfect. Of I could afford E3 I would buy E3. If I could afford both I would buy both, E3 for home use and NX on the go. E3 has a bit more neutral and detailed sound. But in my opinion both have so much details one probably hit either hearing limit or source/record. If you have to choose one I'd recommend to listen to them, both are great but some people prefer NX to E3 and vice versa.

 

[Bren Derlin]

I'm listening right now to the SMSL D6 (not D6s), if you can find one it's a great little DAC, and has USB-C input.
But if you get another DAC, with regular USB input, you can just buy an adapter to USB-c.

Looked a few DAC/Amps with regular USB - and they USB port is the janky square port, not the typical USB-A port. USB-C has been the new standard data transfer port for the better part of 7 years. The iPhone has had USB-C since 2023. ...There's really no reason "new generation" DAC/Amps shouldn't have USB-C ports.

 

[Mort]

There's really no reason "new generation" DAC/Amps shouldn't have USB-C ports.

They break sooner. It's not considered as reliable.

 

[jhaider]

If I could afford both I would buy both, E3 for home use and NX on the go.

NX is a really, really nice headphone but it’s not really suitable for on-the-go IMO. (Never heard E3.) The way it folds makes it near impossible to fit into any reasonable briefcase, and Gorilla or not the sides are still glass.

 

[Bren Derlin]

NX is a really, really nice headphone but it’s not really suitable for on-the-go IMO. (Never heard E3.) The way it folds makes it near impossible to fit into any reasonable briefcase, and Gorilla or not the sides are still glass.

People still carry brief cases?

Thanks for the warning, but I manage to travel with my iPad Mini, iPhone and $15,000 worth of camera gear without breaking the any glass. I'm 100% sure stuff these headphones into their carrying case, drop them in my carry-on for a flight, or my bag for a 3-6 hour drive. Or even drop them in my padded camera bag. They'll be fine.

I should add: For a flight, I'm less likely to bring the DCA, and bring my much smaller Marshalls. They're less bulky and messy, and if they get stolen, I really won't care.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Ok, i bought the DCA Noire X today because of this good review. Delivery this week normally. (EU)

 

[z7x8c9]

We resolved the first issue in September production, the second was last month (it's far less common but it did need to be addressed). The second issue potentially affected other models (it was the Molex connector not holding as firmly as it should) but we have only seen two fail in the field, to my knowledge.

Inventory can take time to get through a channel, since it ships to distributors then to retailers then to you. I assume Thomann had stock they're working through but they buy through distribution not through us and of course I have no idea what their inventory situation is. I can't guarantee you wouldn't get another unit from Aug because what is in stock and where is out of our control, but it gets less likely every day. As I noted, should you have a problem, especially in Germany, we usually just replace it which unit gets sent back to us by the distributor at a later time.

The primary imbalance problem was specific to the A2/Noire driver and doesn't exist in our other models.

Hi,

I've purchased a unit from Thomann in EU. Initial impressions are excellent!

The date in the certificate is Dec 4th, 2025.

Can I assume both issues are resolved?

Thanks.

 

[Rayman30]

I've been using mine at work for months, they are slightly bright which leads to airy sound, so to my ears they sound more open than other closed backs, they are very competent overall with a balanced sound signature. I will say my only complaint is the bass, its tight and its controlled, I just wish it was a bit more present, I don't know how much glasses affects this, I never have them off long enough to truly decide, but a quick audition with no glasses does seem every so slightly more bassy but I cannot tell enough to know for sure.

Overall I really like them, they are superior to my Airpods Pro and Max. I prefer my other headphones (LCD-X and Arya Stealth) I suspect this could be down to driver size, I wonder if I would be best served with a DCA E3.

Question for others - I am constantly removing the cable ends at my desk setup, folding the headphones up and putting them back in the case. Will this cause excess wear and tear on them over time? I am very careful when I do it.

 

[Ahmonge]

Question for others - I am constantly removing the cable ends at my desk setup, folding the headphones up and putting them back in the case. Will this cause excess wear and tear on them over time? I am very careful when I do it.

For storage, I'd rather use a HP stand or a bigger case so that it is not necessary to plug and unplug the cables every time.

 

[Bren Derlin]

They break sooner. It's not considered as reliable.

Didn't see this. ...I've been using USB-C ports for quite a few years - never had a problem with a USB-C connector breaking.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Ok, the Noire X arrived today. That base and treble is so much better then my 660s2 and they sound so clear. They sound great for closed headphones.
They sound alot like my LS50Meta speakers, love it.

There is a paper inside that says between 50 and 100 hours burn-in period. I hope the sound will not change.

 

[Ahmonge]

There is a paper inside that says between 50 and 100 hours burn-in period. I hope the sound will not change.

My experience with its predecessor, the Aeon 2 Noire, is zero hours of burn-in.

 

[Grimoire]

My experience with its predecessor, the Aeon 2 Noire, is zero hours of burn-in.

And mine with the Noire X.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

My experience with its predecessor, the Aeon 2 Noire, is zero hours of burn-in.

Should i use HPA gain low or high for best sound on my amp?

 

[masterhw]

Should i use HPA gain low or high for best sound on my amp?

low gain unless it struggles to get loud enough

 

[Mike_Trueman]

low gain unless it struggles to get loud enough

More distortion on high gain?

 

[Ahmonge]

Should i use HPA gain low or high for best sound on my amp?

I select the amplifier gain that gives me plenty of headroom for volume control. I can’t tell any difference in the sound when I change the gain setting, apart from the obvious increase in volume.

 

[masterhw]

More distortion on high gain?

they’re usually not worlds apart, but most devices have slightly more noise+distortion on higher gain. certainly more where that’s the case than the other way around. so if you can use low without volume issues, then it’s typically better to. also gives you a bit more usable room on the volume knob.

 

[CrinacleBurger]

Hi,

I've purchased a unit from Thomann in EU. Initial impressions are excellent!

The date in the certificate is Dec 4th, 2025.

Can I assume both issues are resolved?

Thanks.

It should be but given the brand's history please test to the best of your ability.
If there is no audible channel balance then it should be at least in-spec(<= 0.5db 20hz-10khz, <=0.35db "weighted"(in what way???) on any given frequency, depends on if you trust the paper in the box or what DCA told me)
I'd suggest testing using white noise and a sine generator, use your ears or a sound meter and don't ignore the subbass because if the backplate or earpad weren't properly assembled then you will get subbass imbalance and it has already been proven that it can happen.