Dan Clark NOIRE XO Headphone Review

[Robbo99999]

It's a measured difference between two similar models, so it doesn't matter what the starting point is. I was just asking if Amir changed measurement devices or compensation curves in the intervening months.

The answer would be a "no" for that.

 

[Hifihedgehog]

Not to knock on these, but for my preferences, the NOIRE X's were far more engaging and sounded right. The treble dip on the XO's from 9 to 12 KHz makes it a bit too warm for my tastes. As a treble head, I can do with the slight bass reluctance vis-a-vis. However, XO's treble is a bit too little in that region and below neutral for my preferences. I just got the XO's from Crutchfield and it was an instant return. @Dan Clark made the NOIRE X's just too good for their own good. That said, I could see people of the Sennheiser persuasion liking these for the warmth factor. The NOIRE X to me is the best middle ground of all headphones I have ever heard. Not treble happy, ear drills like a Beyerdynamic. Not overly warm like a Sennheiser. Not hindered by weird resonances like a Grado or AKG. Not sporting an upper midrange suppression like some planars like HiFiMAN. Honestly, the NOIRE X is the MVP of this headphone generation. It does so many things right and it is sealed. Basically, like the Ascend Acoustics SIERRA-LX pair I had. To be clear, the XO's are definitely not bad and whip the pants off of most if not all Sennheisers, all AKGs and Beyerdynamics, etc. They are missing something in the treble regions to sound right and not veiled (comparatively speaking, that is; these are not muted!).

 

[Theriverlethe]

Not to knock on these, but for my preferences, the NOIRE X's were far more engaging and sounded right. The treble dip on the XO's from 9 to 12 KHz makes it a bit too warm for my tastes. As a treble head, I can do with the slight bass reluctance vis-a-vis. However, XO's treble is a bit too little in that region and below neutral for my preferences. I just got the XO's from Crutchfield and it was an instant return.

Isn't the 9-10kHz dip a common feature of headphones? According to oratory1990:

Why do you never use EQ to remove that drop at around 9-10 kHz on over-ear headphones?​

That drop is caused by the shape of the pinna, it depends strongly on how your exact ear is shaped. It’s also very important for localization.
On well designed headphones this drop is always present - and it definitely is present when listening to regular loudspeakers (because it’s created by your ears).
This means that when a headphone exhibits a peak in that area (it’s often enough just to not exhibit a drop) is very often perceived as „hissy“, „sharp“ or „zingy“. Remember the Sony Z1R controversy?

 

[Hifihedgehog]

Isn't the 9-10kHz dip a common feature of headphones? According to oratory1990:

Yes and no. The one on the NOIRE X is about what you would expect--a slight dip or notch, in fact almost exactly what you see on Sennheiser HE-1's world-class FR, for instance--but the dip on the NOIRE XO is larger and more than the expected notch, extending into the 10-13 KHz area, and some hints off of spillage of recession in the 7-8 KHz region as well. See here:

This supression very much does translate into the perceived sound giving a sense of less "sizzle", or shininess and sharpness. It is less bassy and warmer as well, but that isn't as problematic to me for my preferences. Objectively speaking as well, the preference score technically than the NOIRE X which may also be explaining things. It is possible the slight 500-800 Hz scoopout could also be throwing things off ever so slightly for me. It is again nothing like the wildly off tonality and limited extensions of your standard fare headphones. In either case, it is a great headphone but straddles the line on the warm side of the neutrality line.

NOIRE X preference score:

Score no EQ: 88.1
Score Amirm: 91.9
Score with EQ: 97.7

NOIRE XO preference score:

Score no EQ: 81.7
Score Amirm: 80.8
Score with EQ: 89.2

Dan Clar NOIRE XO APO EQ Score 2 Flat@HF 96000Hz
May102025-131812

Preamp: 0.00 dB

Filter 1: ON PK Fc 118.8 Hz Gain -2.08 dB Q 0.84
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 333.8 Hz Gain -2.56 dB Q 2.30
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1098.9 Hz Gain -1.88 dB Q 2.98
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2232.6 Hz Gain -4.12 dB Q 2.43
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 5665.8 Hz Gain -1.90 dB Q 4.54
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 10459.4 Hz Gain 1.37 dB Q 1.86
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 13506.8 Hz Gain -11.40 dB Q 4.51

 

[Theriverlethe]

Yes and no. The one on the NOIRE X is about what you would expect--a slight dip or notch, in fact almost exactly what you see on Sennheiser HE-1's world-class FR, for instance--but the dip on the NOIRE XO is larger and more than the expected notch, extending into the 10-13 KHz area, and some hints off of spillage of recession in the 7-8 KHz region as well. See here:

View attachment 460920

View attachment 460918

View attachment 460919
This supression very much does translate into the perceived sound giving a sense of less "sizzle", or shininess and sharpness. It is less bassy and warmer as well, but that isn't as problematic to me for my preferences. Objectively speaking as well, the preference score technically than the NOIRE X which may also be explaining things. It is possible the slight 500-800 Hz scoopout could also be throwing things off ever so slightly for me. It is again nothing like the wildly off tonality and limited extensions of your standard fare headphones. In either case, it is a great headphone but straddles the line on the warm side of the neutrality line.

NOIRE X preference score:

NOIRE XO preference score:

Mmmm, no, it looks like the notch on HE-1 is around 10-15dB depending on channel balance/measurement position. Noire XO's notch is much closer to HE-1 than Noire X, which is less than 5dB. You have to look at the left side of the graph (very important on ASR).

 

[Hifihedgehog]

Mmmm, no, it looks like the notch on HE-1 is around 10-15dB depending on channel balance/measurement position. Noire XO's notch is much closer to HE-1 than Noire X, which is less than 5dB.

Yes, and on the right. I looked on both sides. I personally hear the 10-13 KHz shortfall. In either case, different strokes for different folks. Even with world-class headphones like these Dan Clarks, you are going to have some who prefer the bass and treble of the NOIRE X over the midrange focus of the NOIRE XO. Objectively speaking, the preference score is technically higher on the X. What that means here is more people should prefer it. That was exactly where a family member told me as well.

On the outrageous end of the pricing spectrum, HE-1 by no means is perfect and is just a flagship that represents their best shot at aiming for a perfect sound. One issue that is apparent on it to those who have had the chance of demoing is the 2 KHz suppression, though nowhere as bad or obvious as the HE 800's bizarre tonality. Neither of the Dan Clark headphones have this tonality issue which gives them a clear advantage and arguably makes them far more neutral and realistic sounding in the midrange. The human ear is most sensitive at that frequency.

Suppressing 2 KHz is, in a way, a designer trick that Sennheiser has used with the Orpheusese and HD 700 and 8000 to make everything else outside of that range perceptibly easier to hear. So suddenly, everything sounds clearer in the treble, thumpier in the bass. The caveat is it messes with the midrange tonality, adding a muted, hallow sound. The HD 800 goes too far, and the HD 700 takes this further still, and I personally cannot stand how off they sound. And with their price points, heavy EQ shouldn't even be in the conversation.

 

[a5ehren]

My Noire XO came in Friday, gave them a bunch of nice sessions over the weekend. These are great cans, love the alcantara pads and the sound. Sounds like Harman without having to mess with EQ.

 

[Bucking]

Anyone knows how these compare to the HD800S?

 

[Robbo99999]

Anyone knows how these compare to the HD800S?

Well the stock frequency response is quite different, so there's an answer there. If EQ'd to the same curve then the Dan Clarke would do better bass. Those are the most definitive things I think you could say about a comparison.

 

[Theriverlethe]

Anyone knows how these compare to the HD800S?

Significant differences in tonality before EQ, since the Dan Clarks are Harman-tuned. I would say the HD800’s have a little better “soundstage,” but nothing comparable to a pair of JBL LSR305’s at one meter, or any half-decent stereo/surround speaker setup.

 

[zuglufttier]

Was anyone able to compare these to a Sennheiser HD650 for example? I've been using the Sennheiser for a looong time and always came back to them. Even tried some Staxes and listened to the OG HD800 for a while. The Focal Clear (not MG) was very good but there was something in them which kept them from being as smooth in comparison. And on top of that, they weren't that comfortable for longer sessions plus those damn pads became greasy very quickly.

I'm looking for something with a great soundstage and deep bass - areas where the HD650 is seriously lacking. I want to be able to pinpoint source in the mix since I'm also going to use them for mixing and arranging in my music. Loudspeakers don't really work out for me for various reasons but I mainly hate the fact that you rarely ever sit in the sweet spot and I change my listening position quite a bit while working on something.

PS: I don't plan to use an EQ because I change my gear very often and will use the headphones in different places.

 

[zuglufttier]

Not to knock on these, but for my preferences, the NOIRE X's were far more engaging and sounded right. The treble dip on the XO's from 9 to 12 KHz makes it a bit too warm for my tastes. As a treble head, I can do with the slight bass reluctance vis-a-vis. However, XO's treble is a bit too little in that region and below neutral for my preferences. I just got the XO's from Crutchfield and it was an instant return. @Dan Clark made the NOIRE X's just too good for their own good. That said, I could see people of the Sennheiser persuasion liking these for the warmth factor. The NOIRE X to me is the best middle ground of all headphones I have ever heard. Not treble happy, ear drills like a Beyerdynamic. Not overly warm like a Sennheiser. Not hindered by weird resonances like a Grado or AKG. Not sporting an upper midrange suppression like some planars like HiFiMAN. Honestly, the NOIRE X is the MVP of this headphone generation. It does so many things right and it is sealed. Basically, like the Ascend Acoustics SIERRA-LX pair I had. To be clear, the XO's are definitely not bad and whip the pants off of most if not all Sennheisers, all AKGs and Beyerdynamics, etc. They are missing something in the treble regions to sound right and not veiled (comparatively speaking, that is; these are not muted!).

Would you say that there's a big difference in sound stage between the two? And do your ears get warm easily wearing the X for a couple of hours?

 

[Chagall]

Was anyone able to compare these to a Sennheiser HD650 for example? I've been using the Sennheiser for a looong time and always came back to them. Even tried some Staxes and listened to the OG HD800 for a while. The Focal Clear (not MG) was very good but there was something in them which kept them from being as smooth in comparison. And on top of that, they weren't that comfortable for longer sessions plus those damn pads became greasy very quickly.

I'm looking for something with a great soundstage and deep bass - areas where the HD650 is seriously lacking. I want to be able to pinpoint source in the mix since I'm also going to use them for mixing and arranging in my music. Loudspeakers don't really work out for me for various reasons but I mainly hate the fact that you rarely ever sit in the sweet spot and I change my listening position quite a bit while working on something.

PS: I don't plan to use an EQ because I change my gear very often and will use the headphones in different places.

Welcome to ASR!

Headphones that have a wide spatial effect, low-end extension, and neutral tonality without EQ are very tough to find....

Open-backs usually give you wider spatial presentation, but they tend to roll off in the bass - HD800s or HiFiMan’s egg-shaped designs (Ananda, Arya, HE1000). On the other hand, something like Dan Clark Audio’s Stealth or E3 offers proper bass extension and a neutral tonality, but they aren’t as wide. Closed-backs also have other problems compared to open-backs. From memory, the HD600 sounded narrower than the E3 (I haven't tried XO).

Bottom line: the “perfect” headphone that does everything out of the box doesn’t really exist. It’s always a matter of picking which compromises you can live with.

 

[ry_]

Is anyone here in the Bay Area with these headphones? I’d like to audition them! The audio store here charges a non refundable deposit of $250 to audition anything.

 

[sharock]

Got a used pair of these last week for a (relatively) good price and have been using them with Maiky76's EQ with a touch extra bass.

I'd need to do more comparisons against HD650, HD800s and E3 before commenting too much on the sound. So far I'm enjoying them. Early thoughts are compared to the HD800s they don't seem that open/spacious sounding. Similar to the E3 perhaps even though that's closed, but more open than the HD650. They feel slightly more comfortable than the E3, maybe due to the smaller cups and my small head. They also make my ears hot which is surprising. Are they classed as semi-open rather than open? If it wasn't for the poorer isolation, I'd have guessed they were closed backs.

It's still early days and I've been wanting an open planar for a while, but I do wonder if these are necessary if you have the E3.

 

[CedarX]

I do wonder if these are necessary if you have the E3.

Necessary, no. If you have an E3, HD800S, or even HD650, each one of these can be your end game. The comparison is more about what, directionally, you like, what works for you—the sound, comfort, and even the look and build quality.
I don’t have the Noire XO, but I do have many other HPs (including some crappy ones) and I love comparing them! Humbly admitting that I often can’t say which one sounds better…
So, from that respect YES, Noire XO is absolutely necessary!

 

[sharock]

Necessary, no. If you have an E3, HD800S, or even HD650, each one of these can be your end game. The comparison is more about what, directionally, you like, what works for you—the sound, comfort, and even the look and build quality.
I don’t have the Noire XO, but I do have many other HPs (including some crappy ones) and I love comparing them! Humbly admitting that I often can’t say which one sounds better…
So, from that respect YES, Noire XO is absolutely necessary!

I think most people on ASR like to collect audio gear even if it's not "necessary".

My goal was to have a high quality headphone in each category: open dynamic, closed dynamic, open planar, closed planar. I think I'm pretty much there now.

Although, the closed dynamic could maybe use an update... still rocking a Denon D7000 with disintegrating pads and headband!

 

[theBoomer]

Do the Noire XOs leak much? I do most of my listening with my wife either reading or sleeping by my side; she says that my old HD518s don't bother her, but I can't really make it worse for her.
How do they sound at lower volume? I find that headphones tend to sound better at a volume that unfortunately I can't bear for long, so I'm looking for a pair that doesn't loose too much when I lower the volume.

 

[Bucking]

These should work fine on an RME ADI 2 Dac FS right?

 

[zuglufttier]

These should work fine on an RME ADI 2 Dac FS right?

I think that's what Amir is using to do his listening tests, so you should be fine