Этот обзор на русском.

Noire X are relatively new closed-back headphones from Dan Clark Audio, about which there is actually nothing to read on the Russian Internet. I looked at them, tested them, and decided that this slip-up needs to be fixed ASAP.

Once again, many thanks to Sergey for sending a sample for the review! In general, today we’re gonna talk about Noire X, closed-back planar headphones for some $1,080 you-know-where and for some $1,375 at official retail.

All but the sound

The headphones are delivered in a minimalistic and extremely compact box, which is typical for Dan Clark Audio (hereinafter referred to as DCA). Inside we can find a case with the headphones, a cable, and some papers. I didn’t take pictures of the box because there’s not much to look at there.

The case is a DCA standard hard case, which can contain headphones and only headphones when folded, and the cable fits no more.

The headphones repeat the geometry of and are identical in design with Aeon models or, rather, the earcups were taken off Aeon and the headband off E3.

The outer overlays of the earcups are made of Gorilla Glass 3 glass, while the edging is plastic. Nitinol, a metal that can withstand deformation well and restores its shape when heated, was used to make the headband arcs. This makes it possible to bend the headband over a very wide range without risk of damage. Noire X rest against the head with a wide leather pad, which has a pronounced texture and prevents the head from sweating.

The headphones seem to be completely black in the pictures, but this is not quite right: the plastic edges have small multicolored inclusions.

The headband is attached to the earcups via elegant two-piece metal arms.

The compensation holes are located at the back of the bottom of the earcups, covered with mesh.

The connectors – my favorite DCA SN-8-4 – are moved slightly forward and recessed into the earcups.

As for the fit, I have no right to complain: Noire X sit on the head well. They don’t squeeze your temples, they don’t fall off, they strain your neck in no way with their 385 g weight. The internal volume of the earcups and the earpads is of such a nature that they leave almost no space for varying the fit, but the auricles don’t touch the insides of the headphones either. The earpads are glued on, as is the proud tradition of DCA. Just imagine, you’ve bought, for example, a Dekoni model to try on. If you don’t like them, you won’t be able to put on the old earpads back. And you won’t adequately clean the insides of the earcups.

Sorry about that, but I’m not going to tune out this idiotic design concept.

Another problem of Noire X is that they’re a fingerprint magnet. The headphones are almost black and, what’s more, glossy. In other words, they pack a punch only in the first 5 seconds of their use.

Noire X easily show dirt from breathing, from looking at them, from thinking about them – the fingerprints are perfectly visible just because they’re black (no pun intended…). Well, not only the prints, but also the dust – it gathers in narrow grooves between the outer plates and the edges.

All headphones have places and spots where dust gradually works in. This is fine. But it’s only Noire X where this dust sticks out a mile because, yes, the headphones are glossy and black. In short, if you know that you suffer from anxiety or are a perfectionist, you in no event should buy Noire X, as you just have to get used to the fact that your headphones will look mudded all the time.

As for the cable, my kit contained a regular (non-VIVO) one. I’ve already scolded the VIVO cable in the E3 review for its overmuch weight and dumb braid, while an ordinary cable is just an ordinary cable, fairly soft, fairly thick, and absolutely average in weight.

If I had to choose between a VIVO and this one, I would definitely choose the standard one. It is just more convenient and practical.

I have nothing more to add about the design because the headphones are assembled for a full due, and I won’t even mention creaks or looseness, as there’s no trace of it all. In all honesty, it’s pleasant to use these headphones (especially if you put microfiber gloves on, as this is what I had to do to take pictures of them).

The sound

Let’s start with the measurements. You can read about my measuring rig here. Listening was performed through RME ADI-2 DAC fs, Hiby R6 III, and Moondrop DAWN PRO. Even with 94 dB of sensitivity and 27 Ohms of impedance, Noire X easily ‘rock’ through the DAWN PRO balanced output.

Frequency response of Dan Clark Audio Noire X in the standard position on the head:

Frequency response of Noire X when turned forward:

Frequency response of Noire X when turned backward:

Frequency response of Noire X in the standard position with a small air gap:

Let’s adhere to this very graph, since it reflects real auditory experience best, which, in its turn, can be described as ‘neutral sound with pronounced low frequencies’. The frequency response of Noire X doesn’t have the main feature of Harman tuning — a pronounced dip at 200 Hz — that clearly separates the bass from the subbass, as well as makes the subbass sharper. However, the typical focus of the subbass is right on cue. In fact, the tonal reliability does not suffer. It’s just that, compared to Harman tuning, the bass is only beating and not like BOOM-BOOM-KABOOM!!! And then, starting from 1000 Hz and to the very end, up to 20 kHz, real magic happens: Noire X have no significant tuning defects. They are not prone to sharpness, sibilants, etc. at all.

It may be a consequence of using a sound equalizing insert, which DCA refers to as AMTS, and yes, it’s present here. Anyway, with or without the insert, this is an amazingly good result for closed-back headphones and, what’s more, not the most expensive ones.

In actual fact, the sound of Noire X is great. It’s full-fledged and natural. I really don’t know how to describe their sound in a more specific way. You put them on your head, and after 3-5 tracks you realize, “It’s okay, it’s all right.” Noire X sound like a good multimedia system should — impressive, powerful, but accurate at the same time. Since no frequency response intervals are dipped or raised, Noire X adequately build the virtual sound stage, let you clearly feel the position of the sound sources in the recording, and are able (if the track requires so) to ‘wrap the sound over your head’.

It’s magnificent tuning.

Let’s finish with the graphs.

Here’s nonlinear distortion of the left and right headphones at 94 dB volume; the maximum distortion level varies significantly, although the overall distortion is the same:

Minimum phase response (again, my rig shows something odd, so I’m showing this measurement just for form’s sake):

Group delay:

Spectrogram in the ‘Burst decay’ mode:

There’s something going on at 900 Hz, but it’s not fatal.

What I’d like to comment on:

1. The nonlinear distortion graphs of the left and right headphones are different.
2. The left channel is at variance with the right one by 2.5 dB at 350 Hz and by 3 dB at around 2 kHz.
3. My measurements differ from other ones made on standard rigs.

These are all pictures from DIFFERENT rigs, and we definitely must never compare them directly. However, as far as I know, the readings of measuring rigs in the range of 200-500 Hz differ very slightly. And I see this ‘Harman dip’ at 200 Hz on someone else’s graphs, but never on my own.

Based on this, I’m inclined to conclude that the difference between different headphones samples appears to be the case, and it’s kind of noticeable. And it would be great if DCA improved their quality control. After all, we’re talking about headphones that are $1,000 worth, especially since my E3 didn’t show much accuracy of the left and right channel tuning either. Just look at the measurements.

And here’s the story of my peer Dmitry: he went to a flagship audio store, bought Noire X in a sealed box, and opened it at home. The store is well-known, so there was no reason to check them upon the spot. What did Dmitry see at home?

The leather on the headband was shabby.

There was a dent on the cable.

Well, everything was working, but that’s not what you’d expect for more than $1,000. The payment was refunded, Dmitry was all right with that, but the cases like this one kind of imply that DCA has room for improvement in terms of quality control, to put it mildly.

Comparisons

In my review, I honestly called DCA E3 some of the best closed-back headphones, so let’s make a comparison with them.

Frequency responses of DCA Noire X and E3:

Key differences:

1. Noire X have a more pronounced subbass;
2. E3 have a better separation of subbass from bass;
3. Noire X have a smoother 1-4 kHz range;
4. Noire X have no pronounced accent at 2.8 kHz.

What’s more:

1. Noire X have a more stable, less variable fit (see the E3 review) due to the smaller earpads;
2. the difference of almost $100 worth is to the advantage of Noire X.

Compared to each other, the E3’s sound is more sonorous, airy and shrilly, while the Noire X’s one is massive and natural, but less ‘detailed’.

And, as someone who already has E3, I would choose Noire X even not counting the cost issue.

Summary

There are many disadvantages to Noire X: controversial decisions regarding the choice of colors and materials, poor channel matching at different frequencies, the hypothesized significant frequency response variation depending on the specimen, earpads held on an adhesive layer. But the very sound of Noire X is just great and, above all, very versatile. On the one hand, it’s very easy to fall in love with it for its weighty bass and the feeling of dynamics in the sound; on the other hand, there is nothing to scold it for even if you want to be picky – there’s a great smooth middle (especially if you turn the headphones through a small angle back), extended tops, everything is in place. The sound of Noire X is like a great burger. Clear, understandable, predictable, hearty. Who said they don’t like burgers?! Come on, tell me another!

This is a natural, frequency-wise sophisticated, comfortable sound with weighty bass and subbass.

Deliciousness!

I’ll repeat myself, Noire X are better than E3 in terms of sounding and fitting from the perspective of my personal preferences, I’ll be damned.

To buy or not to buy: go right ahead, but overhaul them from all sides and listen to the sine at different frequencies first.