New Noire X headphones deliver the X factor
Noire X, the latest headphones from Dan Clark Audio (DCA), are now available in the UK thanks to leading ‘head-fi’ distributor Electromod.
With a dark, brooding, effortlessly stylish aesthetic, Dan Clark Audio’s Noire X closed-back planar magnetic headphones bring top-tier DCA technologies to a more accessible price. Based in San Diego, USA, DCA is an artisan headphone maker of the highest order. The company focuses on technical innovation and holds six patents, its headphones earning global acclaim for their exceptional sound, build and ergonomic qualities.
A particular DCA specialisation is closed-back headphones with planar magnetic drivers, engineered to deliver an unusually ‘open’ sound. Closed-back headphones offer reduced sound leakage and superior noise isolation, but their acoustic characteristics tend to make them sound more ‘closed in’ than open- back headphones – for that reason, open-back headphones are often considered sonically superior, albeit less practical in some environments. But DCA’s closed-back headphones do a remarkable job of disproving the rule, their unique engineering delivering a supremely open and spacious sound.
The new closed-back Noire X headphones are a case in point. They utilise proprietary planar driver and metamaterial tuning technologies developed for DCA’s top-tier headphones like the closed-back Stealth and open-back Expanse, both of which retail at £4,100, delivering them at a fraction of the price. These technologies are combined with a dramatic ‘black on black’ aesthetic, superior ergonomics and excellent build quality, including ultra-tough Gorilla Glass 3 on the cups and a self-tensioning headband.
Dressed in black and blessed with immense musical talent, the Noire X is the Johnny Cash of headphones. With an RRP of £1000, its unique mix of attributes ensures it walks the line between performance and price with perfect balance, lifting it above the price-comparable headphone crowd.
Upgraded Aeon planar driver
Most headphones use dynamic drivers, which combine a stiff diaphragm with a voice coil to produce sound waves through pistonic movement. In contrast, the Noire X uses planar drivers, incorporating a thin membrane immersed in a magnetic field to cause it to vibrate. Among the advantages of planar magnetic drivers are increased accuracy, reduced distortion and superior soundstaging.
For the Noire X, DCA has developed an enhanced version of its Aeon planar driver. The new driver’s 62x34mm diaphragm is significantly more rigid than its predecessor, with superior unit-to-unit consistency, reduced distortion, improved reliability and a smoother frequency response. Extensive R&D investments were made to upgrade other aspects of the driver. New manufacturing processes combined with highly optimised V-Planar knurling deliver a remarkably smooth frequency response with low distortion throughout the listening range, achieving levels of detail that were previously the reserve of DCA’s top-tier headphones.
Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS)
A critical addition to the Noire X is DCA’s proprietary AMTS tuning system, previously found only in the company’s top-of-the-line Stealth, Expanse, E3 and Corina headphones. A significant advance in acoustic engineering for headphones, AMTS uses advanced metamaterial design concepts to shape frequency response and eliminate high-frequency standing waves which cause the synthetic-sounding high frequencies heard with many headphones. By eliminating these standing waves, Noire X delivers a remarkably balanced, nuanced and airy treble performance, free of the fatiguing artefacts that diminish the listening experience.
Built for comfort and style
The Noire X’s self-tensioning headband reduces listening fatigue by distributing pressure evenly across the listener’s head for a balanced, ‘barely there’ fit. This helps to prevent hot spots and pressure points, making the Noire X ideal for many hours of immersive, strain-free listening. Aesthetically, the Noire X is beautifully understated, with a high-class ‘black on black’ finish and exquisite detailing, from the stitched headband to the new Gorilla Glass 3 finish on the cups. Gorilla Glass 3 uses a thin sheet of alkali-aluminosilicate to make the glass far more scratch and damage resistant than conventional glass formulations. The headphone’s cool, classy aesthetic is completed by the understated tone-on-tone Noire X logo.
Superior ear pads
The Noire X sports newly designed ear pads for a supremely comfortable listening experience. Formed from improved, ultra-stable memory foam and wrapped in high-quality synthetic leather, the ear pads eradicate ‘foam rolling’ to ensure a more consistent fit and longer usable life. Using Alcantara synthetic suede on the ear pad’s contact surface reduces heat and moisture build-up ensuring cool comfort during extended listening sessions. The Noire X ear pads are replaceable and
backwards compatible with DCA’s Aeon 2 Noire, AEON RT Closed and AEON 2 Closed headphones.
Versatile connectivity
The Noire X offers a comprehensive range of cable terminations, including combo 6.3mm and 3.5mm tips, balanced 4.4mm and 4-pin XLR. Those seeking greater flexibility in cable length and termination can upgrade to DCA’s premium VIVO cables, which are available in multiple lengths and termination options.
These versatile cable options ensure the headphones can be paired with any amplifier, eliminating the need for costly third-party cables and optimising performance with any audio setup.
Closed-back headphones with a remarkably ‘open’ sound
Fusing DCA’s proprietary technologies and no-compromise ethos with an effortlessly cool new look and excellent ergonomics ensures the Noire X headphones deliver an exceptional value/performance ratio. Equally satisfying across all musical genres, the Noire X’s expansive soundstage, crisply defined bass, silky midrange, vibrantly smooth highs and layers of detail keep the listener utterly engaged with the music, without a hint of fatigue no matter how long the listening session. Designed and built in San Diego, California, the Noire X is now shipping to the UK and available at selected retailers, at an RRP of £1000 inc. VAT. Dark and brooding on the outside and exceptionally capable within, the headphones come complete with a detachable cable and purpose-made travel case
into which the headphones fold neatly away.
The UK contact for consumers is Electromod, Dan Clark Audio’s official UK distributor.
W: electromod.co.uk
T: 01494 956558
DAN CLARK AUDIO NOIRE X – SPECIFICATIONS SUMMARY
Transducer principle Closed-back, over-ear, planar magnetic
Materials – chassis Aluminium and Gorilla Glass 3
Materials – headband Nickel-titanium alloy with leather-wrapped suspension band
Materials – ear pads Memory foam with synthetic leather outer, Alcantara synthetic suede contact surface
Frequency response Extended and tuned to the Harman Curve
Sensitivity 94dB/mW
Impedance 13Ω
Recommended min. power 250mW @ 16Ω
Weight 385g
Included accessories Detachable cable in fabric pouch; travel case; microfibre cloth; certificate of authenticity
Based in San Diego, USA, Dan Clark Audio (DCA) specialises in the design and manufacture of open- and closed-back planar headphones. In just a few years, the company has earned a reputation at the forefront of headphone design, its R&D-focused approach delivering unique technologies and exceptional performance. With six patents for technology and design already secured, DCA continues to push value/performance ratios to secure its position as the first choice for many head-fi enthusiasts.
www.danclarkaudio.com
Founded by Mark Dolbear, Electromod is a leading UK distributor specialising in head-fi gear, from DACs to amps to headphones and associated accessories. The company focuses on product excellence and a personal style of customer support, operating as the official distributor for class-leading brands such as Dan Clark Audio, Dekoni, Topping and Violectric. Mark has an engineering background and has worked in the audio industry since 1995, servicing products from the likes of Mark Levinson, Goldmund, Ayre Acoustic and Stax before forming Electromod.
www.electromod.co.uk