At CanJam Dallas 2024, I was given a quick preview of Dan Clark Audio’s newest offering the Dan Clark Audio NOIRE X Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphone under NDA with a promise to be one of the first to have the opportunity for a review in time for the official release. So it was with great anticipation that I received the review sample.

The Dan Clark Audio NOIRE X Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphone

The Dan Clark Audio NOIRE X is an update to the iconic Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 NOIRE integrating Dan Clark Audio’s state-of-the-art Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS) with an improved driver. Featuring a dramatic black-on-black aesthetic, improved ear pads, a self-adjusting headband, and Gorilla Glass 3 clad cups the NOIRE X is designed to set a new standard in midrange headphone performance, comfort, and value.

Dan Clark Audio designed the NOIRE X  around an updated and improved AEON audio driver. The new driver is significantly more rigid than its predecessor, with superior unit to unit consistency, reduced distortion, improved reliability, and smoothed frequency response. Extensive R&D investments were made to optimize other aspects of NOIRE X’s planar driver including a new manufacturing process combined with highly optimized V-Planar knurling to deliver a remarkably smooth frequency response with low distortion throughout the listening range.

Leveraging a state-of-the-art Audio Precision 555B and B&K 5128 measurement system, Dan Clark Audio carefully integrated the NOIRE X’s new driver with their patent-pending AMTS and redesigned ear pads using Alcantara synthetic suede on the contact surface to reduce heat and moisture buildup, ensuring cool comfort during extended listening sessions even in warmer or more humid environments. In addition, the NOIRE X Ear Pads are designed to reduce “foam rolling,” so the pads will have a longer usable life, and more consistent fit and operation. NOIRE X Ear Pads are also backward compatible with Dan Clark Audio  AEON 2 NOIRE, AEON RT Closed, and AEON 2 Closed headphones.

 This is coupled with Dan Clark Audio’s self-tensioning headband which reduces listening fatigue by distributing pressure evenly across the listener’s head for a balanced, barely-there fit. The uniform pressure distribution helps prevent hotspots and pressure points in order to make the NOIRE X ideal for long hours of immersive listening, free from adjustments or strain.

In appearance the NOIRE X is similar to the  AEON 2 NOIRE  except with a stitched headband and a Gorilla Glass 3 (a thin sheet of alkali-aluminosilicate that makes the glass stiffer and more scratch and break resistant than conventional glass formulations ) finish on the cups.

Dan Clark Audio offers a comprehensive range of cable terminations at the base price, including combo 1/4″ and 3.5mm tips, 4-pin XLR, and 4.4mm for the NOIRE X and for those seeking more flexibility in cable length and termination Dan Clark Audio’s ultra-premium VIVO cables, are available in multiple lengths with multiple termination options.

Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System

Previously found only in their top-of-the-line STEALTH, EXPANSE, E3, and CORINA headphones,  Dan Clark Audio’s critically acclaimed AMTS tuning system 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 many headphones. By eliminating these standing waves, the NOIRE X with AMTS is able to deliver remarkably balanced, nuanced, and airy treble free of fatiguing artifacts.

Living with the Dan Clark Audio NOIRE X Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphone

I received the Dan Clark Audio NOIRE X Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphone housed in an elegant black magnetic clasp box with silver foil printing. Inside was a hard-shell zipper case containing the NOIRE X, two velveteen bags, one containing the balanced cable with a 4.4mm TRRRS connection and the other containing the single-ended cable with a 3.5mm TRS connection and screw on ¼” TRS adaptor, a certificate of authentication, and a “Quick User Guide”. Both cables were a new style made from a thin rubber-coated cable. (Note: I have been informed that the NOIRE X will only come with one cable, a second cable was included with the review sample for review purposes, the cable choices include the Dual connector single-ended cable, the balanced cable in either 4.4mm TRRRS or XLR, or the Dan Clark Audio Dummer cable, or you can upgrade to the Dan Clark Audio VIVO cable at an additional charge.)

I burned in the NOIRE X using my HIFIMAN EF600 R2R DAC & Headphone Amplifier putting time on both cables as they were different than the Dan Clark Audio cables I already have and I would be using both in this review. As such, I began my listening test with the EF600 and the balanced cable. I cued up Linkin Park’s new album “From Zero” (24-bit/48kHz – Qobuz) and my first immediate impression was amazing clarity. The tonal balance appeared to be spot-on linear, with deep powerful bass and a massive soundstage, wide and three-dimensional. The snap of the percussion was incredible, cymbals had shimmer without spit.

Next up was “Daughter of a Temple” (24-bit/48kHz – Qobuz) by Ganavya. The piano was rich and full, Baldwinesk, with a strong sense of depth of field in a vast soundstage. The feel of space only increased with the addition of choral and saxophone which was sweet and clear. As the distant string instruments and woodwinds kicked in the soundstage grew further still.

I followed this up with late ‘80s Punk duo Mecca Normal and “Calico Kills the Cat” (16-bit/44.1kHz – Qobuz). All the raw essence and grit of this solo distorted guitar meets female singer performance was captured by the NOIRE X in an in-the-room presentation.

I switched to my Schiit Audio VALI 2++ Tube Hybrid Headphone Amplifier using the EF600 as DAC and the sense of realism increased noticeably. This magic continued with “Brighter Days”  (24-bit/96kHz – Qobuz) by Dwight Yoakam. Jangly guitars, tight thumping drums, and distortion-free musicality for days.

Before moving on to my reference system I felt a little classical was called for so I selected “Mozart: Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots, K. 35” (24-bit/96kHz – Qobuz) as performed by Camille Delaforge, Ensemble Il Caravaggio, Gwendoline Blondeel, Adèle Charvet, Artavazd Sargsyan, and Jordan Mouaïssia. You could hear the occasional breaths of the diverse performers in a spacious hall, with epic dynamic range, pinpoint imaging, natural timbre, air around the instruments, and above all musicality.

Powering up my reference system consisting of my  LSA VT-70 Tube Integrated Amp, Audio-gd R2R-1 DAC, Black Dragon Cables, Core Power Technologies A/V Equi=Core 1000, Vera-Fi Audio VBH-1 (Vibration Black Hole) isolation feet, and  Vera-Fi Audio LLC Main Stream – Master Class Dynamic Parallel AC Line Conditioner I cued up “Can-utility And The Coastliners” (“Foxtrot” – Genesis – DSD) my preferred subsonic test track. As noted above the soundstage was huge and enveloping. The tonal balance was solid and accurate, and the detail was phenomenal delineating the individual strings of the guitars as they were strummed. The sub-bass was deep, resonant, and articulate. The more shouty bits of multiple guitars and keyboards were rendered musical and smooth without loss of clarity.

A quick comparison to the Dan Clark Audio E3 Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphone showed that the sonic profile of the two headphones was similar, with the E3 being slightly more efficient, slightly more articulate on the bottom end, and slightly more pronounced in the sub-bass, with the NOIRE X proving to be slightly smoother on the harsher passages.

It was time for Robert Shaw and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s performance of “The Firebird Suite” (“Stravinsky: The Firebird; Borodin: Music from Prince Igor” – 16-bit/44.1kHz) which was rendered as beautifully as the above tracks with the subtle differences in the instruments laid bare with emotion and musicality intact. I took this opportunity to give a listen with the Dan Clark Audio VIVO cable which is available for purchase separately, while I can’t say there was a huge difference, there did appear to be slightly more dynamics and detail during the crescendos.

Older recordings are often much harder to playback without them sounding tinny so with this in mind I put on Judy Garland singing “Over the Rainbow” (“Miss Show Business” – 24-bit/96kHz) a hurdle the NOIRE X cleared with plenty of air, capturing the deep soundstage from this mono recording.

All that was left was my detail torture test “Birds of Fire” (DSD) by Mahavishnu Orchestra from the album of the same name. This is a fast-paced song where each of the musicians doubled up on two separate lead tracks playing simultaneously. As anticipated the clarity of the NOIRE X brought this through swimmingly.

Conclusions on the Dan Clark Audio NOIRE X Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphone

True to their word, the sound quality of Dan Clark Audio’s top headphones does trickle down to their most modest offerings and because of this the Dan Clark Audio NOIRE X Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphone is now my favorite Dan Clark Audio headphone. Yes the Dan Clark Audio CORINA is still the best sounding, and the Dan Clark Audio STEALTH steps in just below that, as the Dan Clark Audio E3 is yet another slight dip in performance, but the performance gap becomes ever so much smaller as each new headphone is introduced and the NOIRE X checks off every box making it a reference headphone. Expansive soundstage, ruler flat tonal balance, deep subsonic bass, musical honeyed midrange, extreme clarity, the absence of distortion that you didn’t even realize was there before, masterful speed and transient response, layers of detail, realistic timbre to instruments, excellent three-dimensional imaging, and fantastic build quality. All combined, this makes the NOIRE X not only a top-performing headphone but an incredible value to boot.

While the NOIRE X does take a bit of power to drive it worked well with every amp I tried, though your phone, if it has a headphone output, may find it a bit of a struggle, it worked well with mine but I did need to turn it up all the way and still it was not what I would call loud. I will say the clarity is such that you will probably be drawn to listen at volumes louder than you probably should. As it should be, the NOIRE X is completely genre-agnostic and performed well with every style of music. Well done Dan Clark Audio, as this is close to my last review of the year, I can definitely say that this headphone will get my vote for a Product of the Year Award, and my strongest recommendation.

Price: $999.99

Manufacturer’s Website: https://danclarkaudio.com/