Dan Clark NOIRE X Headphone Review

[amirm]

What causes the excessive distortion? I always use EQ anyway, so I concern about distortion more than FR.

The narrow peak at 6 Khz appears to be a resonance due to its sharp peak. Other than that, it is hard to diagnose sources of distortion from these measurements alone.

Note that if you pull down the response where distortion is high, you improve it with EQ! So there is happiness with negative PEQ filters.

 

[Dan Clark]

Do you measure a temperature rise for the ears? If not, what would you expect it to be?

Is it realistic to get an open back version with comparable frequency response?

We don’t measure temp rise, to my knowledge nobody does.

What causes the excessive distortion? I always use EQ anyway, so I concern about distortion more than FR.

Analog or digital clipping is the worst offender.

 

[solderdude]

Do you measure a temperature rise for the ears? If not, what would you expect it to be?

Temperature rise in the headphone depends on ambient temperature and your body temperature.
The headphone itself can only trap a temperature around your ears. Time plays a role too as well as the amount of air trapped in the headphone.
How sweaty the pads feel depends on the mentioned temperatures, the surface material and the surface area that touches the skin.

Is it realistic to get an open back version with comparable frequency response?

An open back headphone will not 'ventilate' or get rid of warmth/heat.
It is just open in the back but there can be a tiny bit more heat conduction via the driver or baffle.

There are a few closed headphones that sound a lot like an open headphone and there are some open headphones that sound similar to closed headphones.
Mostly this depends on the front volume (where the ears are) if you want bass extension in an open headphone to rival that of closed headphones. Also means seal becomes important.

Dan Clark is one of the few manufacturers that pulled it of to get a similar bass boost as closed headphones can have into an open version.

 

[jbro]

I received a pair over the weekend and I'll be returning them this week. I'll explain, I use HD800s with EQ and whilst the NX (certainly straight out of the box) sound good, they can't hold a candle to the Sennheiser. This may not be a fair comparison, but the HD800s can be bought for not much more than the NX, so maybe in reality it is. Without EQ the Sennheiser isn't great for me, but with it, everything falls into place and perhaps what I'd hoped for from a new closed back can wasn't going to be realistic. The resolution, separation, staging is not there and the treble in the NX is a little hot also. I also found the ear pads a little uncomfortable on my lower jaw.

In addition I really don't like the micro phonics, some from the cable, lots (more of a ringing noise) from the metal headband and as I listen quite a lot lying down, any small movement casing contact is very distracting. To a lesser extent, I don't like the case which means storing the cable separately and connecting it each time I use them - it's a small thing, but it would bug me.

Driving them from my DACS Purity amp was easy enough (same volume on the pot as the HD800s) but using the 4.4 connection on my Fiio FA2 from my iphone caused sound to cut out on the top 2 volume settings (this dongle drives the HD800s ok without issues.

The NX is a nice bit of kit and well made, but not a keeper for me on the above basis unfortunately, I'll keep looking for a closed back to complement my Sennheisers, I was interested in the Stealth originally, but the price was prohibitive, so was hopeful with these, but it's not meant to be this time.

 

[Joachim Herbert]

I'll explain, I use HD800s with EQ and whilst...

Oh well. I don't think this is a valid comparison. I owned the original HD800 for quite some time and never got used to their "spaciousness". Coming from the HE60 I did love their bass, though there was not much of it. But good luck in your quest for an open closed.

 

[sharock]

I received a pair over the weekend and I'll be returning them this week. I'll explain, I use HD800s with EQ and whilst the NX (certainly straight out of the box) sound good, they can't hold a candle to the Sennheiser. This may not be a fair comparison, but the HD800s can be bought for not much more than the NX, so maybe in reality it is. Without EQ the Sennheiser isn't great for me, but with it, everything falls into place and perhaps what I'd hoped for from a new closed back can wasn't going to be realistic. The resolution, separation, staging is not there and the treble in the NX is a little hot also. I also found the ear pads a little uncomfortable on my lower jaw.

In addition I really don't like the micro phonics, some from the cable, lots (more of a ringing noise) from the metal headband and as I listen quite a lot lying down, any small movement casing contact is very distracting. To a lesser extent, I don't like the case which means storing the cable separately and connecting it each time I use them - it's a small thing, but it would bug me.

Driving them from my DACS Purity amp was easy enough (same volume on the pot as the HD800s) but using the 4.4 connection on my Fiio FA2 from my iphone caused sound to cut out on the top 2 volume settings (this dongle drives the HD800s ok without issues.

The NX is a nice bit of kit and well made, but not a keeper for me on the above basis unfortunately, I'll keep looking for a closed back to complement my Sennheisers, I was interested in the Stealth originally, but the price was prohibitive, so was hopeful with these, but it's not meant to be this time.

How you tried the HD820?

I switch between the E3 and HD800s at home depending on whether I need isolation that day. I'm not sure I could pick a favourite.

Can the NoireX run off a Qudelix 5K? Probably overkill for office use.

 

[FrantzM]

How does something like the AKG 371 compare...is it 90% of the performance for 15% of the price?...does a bit of EQ make it 99% of the performance...$1000 for a pair of headphones seems ridiculous....

I used to dismiss the notions of built and comfort. No longer. I have 3 HiFiMan headphones, yes three: Original HE6, HE560 and HE6SEv2... and I bought the AKG and gifted it to a freind.
The earpads of the HiMan I possess, are POS. The HE6Sev2, headband is also a POS, cheaply made and the feeling when you wear those 'phones is that of cheapness.. It goes further the flailing pleather induces (for me at least) skin irritation and retains sweat...
The AKG is also cheaply constructed and breaks in a hurry upon anything resembling rough handling or regular use ...

I, at this juncture, would be willing to pay a bit more for ergonomics and overall durability. If these headphones are such ... perhaps my next move.


Peace.

 

[markanini]

Temperature rise in the headphone depends on ambient temperature and your body temperature.
The headphone itself can only trap a temperature around your ears. Time plays a role too as well as the amount of air trapped in the headphone.
How sweaty the pads feel depends on the mentioned temperatures, the surface material and the surface area that touches the skin.


An open back headphone will not 'ventilate' or get rid of warmth/heat.
It is just open in the back but there can be a tiny bit more heat conduction via the driver or baffle.

There are a few closed headphones that sound a lot like an open headphone and there are some open headphones that sound similar to closed headphones.
Mostly this depends on the front volume (where the ears are) if you want bass extension in an open headphone to rival that of closed headphones. Also means seal becomes important.

Dan Clark is one of the few manufacturers that pulled it of to get a similar bass boost as closed headphones can have into an open version.

All good points. I think a bigger challenge is making an open-back with the bass quality of closed-backs, which is distinct to my ears.

 

[jbro]

How you tried the HD820?

I switch between the E3 and HD800s at home depending on whether I need isolation that day. I'm not sure I could pick a favourite.

Can the NoireX run off a Qudelix 5K? Probably overkill for office use.

I haven't (not read good things about them tbh) and it may be that as I have 800 exactly how I want it with a little EQ applied, a close back to 'better' that may just not be available, any headphone to better it may be very difficult to come by and if it can be done, the cost may not be worthwhile.

 

[Buckchester]

All of these latest headphones from DCA look great: Stealth, Expanse, E3, and now Noire X. It's great to see a manufacturer following the evidence in their designs. Its also great to see the gradual decline in prices as these newest products come out. Although, I still do feel 1k for a pair of headphones to be a little over the top. It's a shame that we don't have more over-ear offerings that conform to the best target. I'm surprised, actually. Is it that difficult to make an over-ear headphone with decent build quality that conforms to the best target for under $500?

 

[Yevhen]

We don’t measure temp rise, to my knowledge nobody does.

Ah, I thought it was a part of the test setup. Something like this:

Grado SR80e/SR80 Review

The Grado SR80e/SR80 are decent open-back headphones for neutral sound but a below-average choice for everything else. They're decently comfortable and have a we...

www.rtings.com

 

[Yevhen]

Temperature rise in the headphone depends on ambient temperature and your body temperature.

I think this is more or less a standardized measurement, check how rtings.com does that.

An open back headphone will not 'ventilate' or get rid of warmth/heat.

I just like the sound of the open backs. Didn't expect them to cool down my ears

I use the headphones only during the walks. And big closed-back headphones like my Sony WH-1000XM4 are a no-go in his case. They are either too hot in summer or make a scratchy noise with every step when touching my hoodie or hat in winter. Grados SR80 work way better with any weather, but their frequency response is meh...

So I'm looking for a higher-end open-back headphone upgrade but with the temperature rise 2-3degC max

2 degC

Grado SR80e/SR80 Review

The Grado SR80e/SR80 are decent open-back headphones for neutral sound but a below-average choice for everything else. They're decently comfortable and have a we...

www.rtings.com

8 degC

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Review

The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless are the successor to the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless. This generation has some improvements, including a longer continuous battery life...

www.rtings.com

 

[Teominious]

I realise it may seem a bit silly asking how these compare to something half their price, but as multiple sources (including ancient forums on this same site) have said, even though the Aeon 2 Noires are $400 more than them, the Aeon RTs are "95% the same headphone" as them, and given this same question's not seen any response on Reddit, I figured I'd benefit to ask here.

Thus, how much better are these than than the same, aforementioned less expensive varieties (Aeon RTs)? Is it worth paying double the price of those for all the improvements found in these, or are they just as negligible to the RTs as the 2s apparently are?

 

[DrFlimFlam]

would a closed headphone of this quality affect at all to gaming related things like positioning or soundstage that would give any kind of dissadvantage vs open headphones?

As for movies I think there would be no problem, but with closed ones, I head a lot of theories about gaming.

 

[solderdude]

I think this is more or less a standardized measurement, check how rtings.com does that.


I just like the sound of the open backs. Didn't expect them to cool down my ears

I use the headphones only during the walks. And big closed-back headphones like my Sony WH-1000XM4 are a no-go in his case. They are either too hot in summer or make a scratchy noise with every step when touching my hoodie or hat in winter. Grados SR80 work way better with any weather, but their frequency response is meh...

So I'm looking for a higher-end open-back headphone upgrade but with the temperature rise 2-3degC max

2 degC

Grado SR80e/SR80 Review

The Grado SR80e/SR80 are decent open-back headphones for neutral sound but a below-average choice for everything else. They're decently comfortable and have a we...

www.rtings.com

View attachment 411128

8 degC

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Review

The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless are the successor to the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless. This generation has some improvements, including a longer continuous battery life...

www.rtings.com

View attachment 411129

The Grado is a foam on ear.
Also how hot/sweaty something feels is not just about temperature increase over a certain time period but dependent on several factors.

Small on-ears like Koss or IEMs are the way to go if hot ears are an issue.

Thus, how much better are these than than the same, aforementioned less expensive varieties (Aeon RTs)? Is it worth paying double the price of those for all the improvements found in these, or are they just as negligible to the RTs as the 2s apparently are?

Only you can tell really. What person A finds a worthwhile difference may not be significant to person B.

 

[johny_2000]

The Grado is a foam on ear.

And cotton wool in the ear canals.

 

[Robbo99999]

would a closed headphone of this quality affect at all to gaming related things like positioning or soundstage that would give any kind of dissadvantage vs open headphones?

As for movies I think there would be no problem, but with closed ones, I head a lot of theories about gaming.

I used to think the soundstage quality of headphones was an important aspect when it comes to gaming, but I changed my mind when I bought the Crinacle Zero Blue IEM and tried them with Virtual 7.1 Surround gaming and they were the best gaming experience I had in terms of creating a 3D shaped scene with accurate positional cues in that 3D space. I think the most important aspects for headphones in gaming is the frequency response and also a good matching of left & right drivers (so good channel balance). I'm still left with an earlier experience though where HD600 was my worst gaming experience with not being able to track lateral movement accurately in a gaming environment where it felt very left blob / central blob / right blob and nothing inbetween which you'd think would be soundstage related, so I'm not sure how to explain that one. Mind you my HD600 doesn't have fantastic channel matching so maybe that was the problem (see following pic):

My initial reaction with these DCA headphones is that they would be good for gaming because the frequency response is good (maybe you could decrease the bass a touch for competetive online fps gaming) and you have good channel matching. I would think these DCA's would be good for gaming. Out of my various headphones a stock HD560s seems to be the most reliable - I'm discounting the Crinacle Zero Blue IEM because I just can't wear them, I hate sticking stuff in my ears.

 

[Joachim Herbert]

I realise it may seem a bit silly asking how these compare to something half their price, but as multiple sources (including ancient forums on this same site) have said, even though the Aeon 2 Noires are $400 more than them, the Aeon RTs are "95% the same headphone" as them, and given this same question's not seen any response on Reddit, I figured I'd benefit to ask here.

Thus, how much better are these than than the same, aforementioned less expensive varieties (Aeon RTs)? Is it worth paying double the price of those for all the improvements found in these, or are they just as negligible to the RTs as the 2s apparently are?

It probably never is. Depends on what you are looking for. Rule of diminishing return.

 

[popthere]

Thanks! Actually, it's kind of been a guiding principal behind the company since I started it... We try to trickle our technology down as fast as we can, and we never try to "de-feature" products at lower price points. Hope you have a chance to hear and enjoy one!

Looking forward to your new open-back headphones.

 

[Teominious]

It probably never is. Depends on what you are looking for. Rule of diminishing return.

Thank you for the reply!

From what I'd seen, these are "Right on the edge" of the "wall of diminishing returns", so in that case, the question I probably should have asked to begin with, and am now is: What would I be getting in these that I would not in the RTs, sound-wise?

I'd be using them for literally everything that requires sound output from a device, and the sensitivity of my autistic ears means I would be cranking things up until they're just audible in both sides, then likely - if they're anything like my current pair - reducing the Operating System volume to below 10/100 farther, if that helps anything.

As for what I'm looking for, I would say "anything that would - for better or worse - allow me to hear every part of an audio work without anything being lost in the mix, or otherwise incapable of being reproduced by the device.