Dan Clark Audio Noire X Review

Dan Clark Audio has grown a lot since its early days. After moving on from the MrSpeakers monaker back in 2019. Since then, the company has gained notoriety for their boundary-pushing technical designs, as well as for their innovative build practices. Their new Noire X follows in this tradition. Continuing a design language that started with the Aeon series while pushing the boundaries of what can go into a $999 headphone. That’s right, the Noire X, which we’ll break down coming up, comes in at just $999. You’ll find out why that’s so impressive as we get into this review. So let’s jump in!

What’s in the Box: 

• DCA Noire X Headphones
• 2m DUMMER cable with 3.5mm termination
• Hard shell case
• Quick start guide
• Certificate of authenticity

Build

Dan Clark Audio is calling this an update to their Aeon 2 Noire, and they maintain the Noire’s iconic build. Back is the classic nitinol suspension headband, the ear-shaped cup design, and that legendary folding mechanism that the Aeon line introduced with the Aeon 2. It’s still all-black, just like the original Noire, but in a lot of other areas, it’s actually quite different. 

So let’s circle back to that headband. With this release, DCA introduces a self-tensioning headband. This system prevents improper distribution and, in theory, should completely negate the need for adjusting mid-listen. Then, moving down the headphone, past the stitched to the ear cups, we get the introduction of Gorilla Glass 3 on the earcups. This makes the earcups much more durable than standard glass formulations. 

One final note on build – DCA has also improved its earpads. Now using Alcantara synthetic suede, they reduce heat and moisture buildup, and make for a cooler and more comfortable listening experience. The ear pads are also now less prone to foam rolling, a phenomenon where foam inside the ear pads would clump up and make for an uneven seal. All told, I’m very happy with the sizable upgrades DCA has made to this build.

Design

The Noire X uses a new 62mm x 34mm DCA designed single-ended planar magnetic driver. It’s not impossible to drive, but at a 94dB SPL, you’ll definitely want to use this with a DAC and Amp. But most notable to the design here is the introduction of DCA’s Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System. This is a high end feature that Dan Clark Audio has used in the Stealth, Expanse, E3, and Corina. So when I was talking about how impressive the $999 price point is for this headphone, this is what I mean. You’re getting top of the line features in a sub $1,000 headphone. 

To back up for those who don’t know, DCA says of the AMTS: “AMTS uses advanced metamaterial design concepts to shape system frequency response while simultaneously eliminating high-frequency standing waves, which are responsible for the synthetic-sounding high frequencies found in all too many headphones. By eliminating these standing waves, NOIRE X with AMTS delivers remarkably balanced, nuanced, and airy treble free of the fatiguing artifacts that diminish your listening experience.”

So now that we have all of the design elements out of the way, let’s get into how this all translates to sound quality. 

Sound Impressions:

Low End:  

The Noire X goes for a sound signature that stays true to the Harman Target. And while I did find this to be true (there’s a nice elevation to bass and great attention to treble response), I do think this is a well balanced headphone overall. The bass is positively linear and uncolored, though I find it much more exciting to listen to than previous Aeon generations. There’s more bounce and slam to bass punches, and there’s just the right amount of midbass to keep things feeling warm but tight. Listening to the new Kendrick Lamar album on these was a joy, with precise bass hits and excellent midbass clarity. 

Mids: 

Now the Harman Curve implies a slight dip in the mids, and while that may be the case here, I really didn’t notice any feeling of midrange recession. Vocals felt clear, managing to steal the show without ever feeling overly forward in any way. The word that comes to mind here is control. There’s a sense of maturity in the Noire X that allows it to shine without causing any glare. Instrument separation, likewise, is extremely clean. Though you may not quite get the full open air feeling of being in a room with the music due to the closed-back nature of the headphone, it still sounds realistic and natural. 

Top End:

And speaking of realistic and natural sound, the treble is where some of the most obvious benefits of the AMTS come into play. There’s a unique sense of treble sparkle that I haven’t heard on many closed back headphones, especially in this price range. As intended, there’s plenty of headroom for high frequencies, allowing for cymbal crashes and the strumming of strings to feel visceral and resolving without any feeling of grain or compression. Listening to the new Father John Misty album, I was impressed with how the top end handled distorted sounds, replicating dirtier signals without coming across muddy or overcrowded. The presentation of detail is smooth and clear and a treat to the ears. 

Soundstage:

Dan Clark Audio is known for packing a vast soundstage into its closed-back headphones. What makes things stand out here is that, with the proper isolation, the imaging makes up for the more compressed space for the soundstage. While you won’t get that “in the room” feeling I described earlier, you’ll get an entirely unique listening experience that leans into the headphone’s strengths, rather than trying to work in spite of the closed-back design. 

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Noire X from Dan Clark Audio is a really nice product at $999. It arrives in an interesting price bracket and employs some state of the art technology in its design. It’s a really good overall product, and for those looking for a closed-back headphone under $1,000, Dan Clark Audio still has you covered. 

The Dan Clark Audio Noire X is available at Audio46.