Dan Clark Audio continues to revolutionize the closed again headphone market with their newest providing, the Noire X. Constructing on the success of fashions just like the E3 and Stealth, DCA now brings their acclaimed AMTS (Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System) expertise to a extra accessible value level. The Noire X guarantees cleaner sound and enhanced bass response, doubtlessly setting a brand new customary for closed again headphones in its class.
Design and Construct High quality
The Noire X makes a placing first impression with its piano black gorilla glass outer shell, a big improve from the plastic building of earlier fashions. This aesthetic selection lives as much as the “Noire” namesake whereas offering enhanced sturdiness. Whereas many producers supply dark-colored headphones, DCA absolutely embraces this aesthetic route, creating what may be the best-looking headphones of their value vary.
Beneath the hood, DCA has utterly redesigned the motive force system. The brand new drivers ship roughly 94dB/mW sensitivity, with a prompt minimal energy requirement of 250mW. At 16 ohms impedance, these headphones strike a center floor by way of driving necessities – not notably troublesome however not precisely simple both.
The implementation of AMTS expertise, beforehand discovered within the E3 and Stealth fashions, brings new capabilities to the Noire X. DCA has tuned these headphones to comply with the Harman curve, leading to enhanced bass response and clearer highs in comparison with earlier iterations.
Consolation and Practicality
DCA’s repute for consolation wants little introduction, and the Noire X maintains this custom. The self-adjusting headband design, shared with the E3 and Corina fashions, presents improved ease of use in comparison with the unique Aeon. The scarf maintains its place higher, whereas a firmer seal really improves consolation for glasses wearers.
The brand new earpads characterize maybe probably the most vital consolation improve. These rank among the many highest high quality inventory pads obtainable on any headphone beneath $1,000. The thicker design accommodates bigger ears with out touching the drivers, whereas the Alcantara floor and leather-based exterior promote long-term sporting consolation. These pads preserve compatibility with different Aeon fashions, including worth for present DCA clients.
At 385 grams, the Noire X stays comfy for prolonged listening periods starting from 4-12 hours. The folding design and DCA’s versatile vivo cable system make these good for touring professionals who refuse to compromise on sound high quality.
Sound High quality
Soundstage and Imaging
The AMTS system proves its value within the Noire X’s soundstage presentation. This expertise creates a extra pure and enveloping soundstage than earlier Aeon fashions, with an ethereal openness that gives glorious definition. Whereas the bassier signature barely reduces absolute definition, the imaging stays correct and impressively broad for closed again headphones.
The presentation jogs my memory of the Audeze LCD-2‘s tuning, although with barely much less soundstage width. Listeners who get pleasure from Audeze‘s home sound however want a closed again choice will discover a lot to like right here.
Bass Response
The Noire X basically reimagines the bass presentation of its predecessor, delivering a fuller, extra muscular sound that notably shines within the mid and excessive bass areas. This is not only a matter of extra bass – it is about how that bass integrates into the general signature. “Kiss It All Goodbye” by Herjaza reveals the true character of this low-end tuning, the place every bass word blooms with a wealthy, natural heat that feels extra like a mild wave than a pointy influence. The transients take their time to develop, making a deliberate, virtually analog-like presentation that prioritizes timbre and texture over velocity.
What units the Noire X aside from different bass-forward headphones lies in its means to keep up readability regardless of its heat tendencies. The place many equally tuned headphones muddy the waters, the Noire X carves out distinct areas for every component of the combination. The improved low finish by no means feels prefer it’s preventing for consideration or overwhelming different frequencies. As an alternative, it kinds a sturdy basis that helps reasonably than dominates, permitting all the frequency vary to breathe and develop naturally inside the soundstage.
Midrange Efficiency
Although DCA hasn’t positioned the midrange because the star of the present, the Noire X delivers a remarkably refined center frequency presentation that reveals its true musical soul. The mids exhibit a heat, tactile high quality that brings devices and vocals to life with an virtually bodily presence. Every component feels touchable, with a three-dimensional high quality that extends past mere sound copy.
“Palermo” by Daryl Jones showcases this refined midrange dealing with superbly. The synth notes emerge from the combination with startling realism, whereas vocals float above with pure heat and physique. The Noire X demonstrates outstanding ability in preserving the textural nuances of acoustic devices whereas sustaining good separation between parts. Clear tracks reveal layers of delicate element, with every instrument occupying its personal distinct area within the combine. When challenged with heavier materials, these headphones unveil a special character completely – delivering an authoritative growl that brings electrical guitars and aggressive vocals to life with out ever crossing into harshness or sibilance.
What makes this midrange presentation notably particular is the way it maintains readability and definition whereas avoiding the scientific character that always plagues analytical headphones. There is a pure musicality right here that makes prolonged listening periods each partaking and fatigue-free. The Noire X manages to string the needle between decision and heat, making a presentation that serves the music reasonably than dissecting it.
Treble Extension
DCA’s experience in treble tuning manifests superbly within the Noire X, exhibiting their mastery of frequency steadiness. Whereas these headphones will not fulfill listeners attempting to find microscopic element or razor-sharp highs, they excel at one thing doubtlessly extra worthwhile – creating a superbly built-in treble response that enhances reasonably than dominates the sound signature. The excessive frequencies act like a classy seasoning, including sparkle and air with out ever changing into the primary course.
“As a result of they Need Our Seat” by Sara Landry and Nico Moreno serves as an ideal showcase for this balanced method. The synthesizers slice via the combination with an preliminary sharp chunk, then gracefully dissolve right into a shimmering reverb tail that expands outward into the soundstage. Even because the thunderous bass kilos beneath, these high-frequency parts preserve their distinctive character with out changing into harsh or fatiguing. The monitor’s aggressive digital textures reveal how the Noire X handles advanced treble data – every synth retains its leading edge and metallic sheen, but seamlessly meshes with the fuller frequencies beneath.
What impresses most is how the expansive soundstage interacts with these treble parts. As synthesizer strains ping throughout the stereo discipline, they preserve their readability and definition with out smearing or shedding focus. The reverb decays float naturally within the area, creating an virtually three-dimensional sense of depth. This presentation brings pleasure and power to digital music whereas protecting the whole lot coherent and musical – a troublesome steadiness that many headphones battle to realize.
Conclusion
Dan Clark Audio’s Noire X efficiently brings flagship expertise to a extra accessible value level whereas sustaining glorious construct high quality and luxury. The implementation of AMTS expertise and Harman curve tuning creates an attractive listening expertise that works nicely throughout a number of genres.
For listeners searching for a closed again headphone that mixes isolation with expansive sound, the Noire X deserves critical consideration. It presents a compelling mixture of technical efficiency and musical engagement, wrapped in a premium bundle that stands out each visually and sonically. Whereas it may not match absolutely the technical capabilities of DCA’s flagship fashions, it brings a lot of their advantages to a extra accessible value level.
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