Dan Clark Audio and Audeze have a lot in common. They’re both California-based makers of excellent headphones with an emphasis on planar magnetic drivers. But while they have those similarities, there’s also a lot that makes them unique. In build, design, and sound signature, DCA and Audeze have each carved out unique spaces in the audiophile world. So we wanted to take a look at two of their closed back headphones. We’ll review the new Noire X from Dan Clark and the LCD-2 Classic closed back, which received an update in 2024.
Both are excellent closed entries under $1,000, with the Noire X coming in at $999 and the LCD-2 at $899. These two headphones represent everything the companies have in common as well as what makes them unique. So we’ll take a look at both and help you decide which one might be the right one for you. Let’s get into it!
What’s in the Box:
| Dan Clark Audio Noire X | Audeze LCD-2 Classic closed back |
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Build:
Dan Clark Audio claimed a distinct look with their Aeon series headphones that they continue to use with the Noire X. With this design language, they incorporate both form and function to make a good looking and durable headphone. Using materials like nitinol for the suspension headband, Gorilla Glass 3 for the earcups, and Alcantara synthetic suede for the ear pads, DCA keep things comfortable but robust. The Noire X features a folding design that makes them portable and packable, and its all-black look is sleek and stylish. With the Noire X, DCA pulls off a build that can stand the test of time while feeling good on your head. With a weight of 385 grams, it’s hard to compete with its balance of durability and comfort.
The Audeze LCD-2 Classic headphones take a different approach to their build, putting an emphasis on its luxurious appeal. It is on the larger and heavier side, weighing in at 612 grams, over 200 grams heavier than the Noire X. But where the Noire X leans into portability, the LCD-2 goes for peak comfort and opulence. Sporting marble earcups, a robust suspension headband system, and an overall brawny build, this is a headphone for audiophiles who listen with a highly-curated sound setup. While it does weigh kind of heavy, it doesn’t put a strain on your head. Rather, it feels cozy and strong, adding to the high end listening experience as a distinguished piece of equipment.
Design:
To achieve its sound the Noire X incorporates a new 62mm x 34mm DCA designed single-ended planar magnetic driver. With an SPL of 94dB, it does want some power from a dedicated DAC/Amp. That said, even a portable DAC/Amp should be enough to take these headphones on the go and make use of their portability. Dan Clark Audio also added their Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System to the headphone. This technology is a staple of their higher end headphones like the Stealth and Expanse, so it’s really cool to see it added here too.
Like the Noire X, the Audeze LCD-2 Classic headphones use their own proprietary planar magnetic driver which is designed in-house by Audeze. Using a 106mm Neodymium N50 driver, it is designed to give a fun and exciting sound signature. With its SPL of 101dB and 70 ohm impedance, it too requires modest power to really reach its potential. Using the non-phazor edition of the drivers, the LCD-2 looks to increase soundstage and make for a more musical experience.
Sound Impressions:
Low End:
As far as sound goes, the contrasts between approaches continues. Starting with bass response, the Noire X has some emphasis to its lower frequencies. And since the Noire X is tuned towards the Harmon Target, its mid-bass transitional area winds up smooth and clean. This leads to a punchy and deep bass response that has more in the way of thump than it does with bloom. And while it’s somewhat elevated, it has an overall neutral timbre that helps keep it situated in a mostly balanced frequency response.
The Audeze LCD-2 headphones, on the other hand, add some of that bloom and warmth to the low end where it might feel a bit leaner on the Noire X. Where the Dan Clark Audio headphone is a bit more neutral, the LCD-2 feels a bit more warm. The two are similar when it comes to slam and sub-bass extension, but the variance in their mid-bass areas is what sets them apart. For a more musical and warm low end, the LCD-2 is up your alley. If you want a listening experience with the same strength as the LCD-2 but with a more neutral tonality, then the Noire X may be your best bet.
Midrange:
Like I said, the Noire X targets the Harman Curve, which would maybe imply a slight midrange dip. But upon listening, I didn’t feel like there was a hollowed out scoop, but rather a cooler and more flexible midrange that, again, has a neutral timbre and a nice scalability for midrange instruments and vocals. And if the Noire X looks to keep things more even and balanced, the LCD-2 looks to further its warm sound signature, making for a pleasant, and again musical, headset. The LCD-2 prioritizes vocal immersion over instrument separation, doing wonders to both male and female singers.
That said, it’s less amenable to instrumental detail than the Noire X due to its more elevated lower-mid tones. But it doesn’t necessarily lead to a congested feeling midrange, so much as a lofty one, moving in unison with a sense of scale. Meanwhile the Noire X has more attention to microdynamics and smaller details. So in terms of midrange, you may prefer the LCD-2 for its more musical and engrossing midrange, or the Noire X for its more accommodating and varied one.
Top End:
As for treble frequencies, the Noire X and LCD-2 once again contrast each other. The Noire X, with its AMTS system, has a sense of treble sparkle that can be elusive to closed headphones. High frequency notes hit with precision and dynamism, making for a tactile and sparkly sound. Meanwhile the LCD-2 is a bit more laid back in its treble presentation, again going for a coloration of warmth that adds to their overall musical tonality that prioritizes enjoyment over technical refinement. Here I’d say the Noire X is more for listeners who want to pick out every detail in their music while the LCD-2 is better suited for those who want to be immersed in the vibrancy of thor music.
Soundstage:
Soundstage is an area where these headphones actually have a lot in common. In the sub-$1000 price range, it is hard to find closed back headphones that do soundstage quite as well as these headphones. That said, they do have their own unique strengths. Where the Noire X excels at imaging and sound localization, the LCD-2 prioritizes sheer width with an expansive sound that pushes its left and right boundaries. So while the LCD-2 and Noire X do have their individual highlights here, I don’t think you can really go wrong with either as far as soundstage goes as far as listening experience is related.
Final Verdict:
All told, these headphones are both great options. And if your budget allows, they would really make excellent compliments to each other in a headphone collection. That said, if you have to choose between the two, I think it comes down to your overall preferences. If you want a warm and fun headphone that can bring your music to life with dynamism and texture, and you don’t mind their less-portable build, then the Audeze LCD-2 Classic closed back headphones are a great option.
However, if your priority is detail retrieval and technical capability, and you need a headphone you can take on your travels, then the Noire X is an excellent way to go. Ultimately, I personally like both headphones quite a bit. And in testing each, I was struck by how varied the audiophile world is and how there’s something great for everyone’s listening pleasure, which is something I think we all can get behind.
The Dan Clark Audio Noire X and Audeze LCD-2 Classic Closed are available at Audio46.
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