New Noire Headphones From Dan Clark Audio Deliver The X Factor

Forbes

08-04-2025

Dan Clark Audio is based in San Diego and describes itself as 'an artisan maker of high-end headphones.' The company's focus is mainly on technical innovation and the brand holds six patents, earning its headphones a global reputation for their sound quality, build and ergonomic design.
A particular Dan Clark Audio specialization is closed-back headphones that use planar magnetic drivers that have been engineered to deliver a more open sound. Closed-back headphones may produce less audio leakage and better noise isolation, but their acoustic characteristics tend to make them sound more closed in than a pair of open-back headphones.
It's for this reason that open-back headphones are often considered to sound better even if they are less practical to listen to in some environments, especially if there's external noise. However, Dan Clark Audio claims its closed-back headphones do a great job of disproving the rule thanks to unique engineering that produces a more open and spacious sound.
The new closed-back Noire X headphones use proprietary planar drivers and metamaterial tuning technologies developed for use in the brand's top-tier headphones like the closed-back Stealth and open-back Expanse, both of which cost more than $4k.
The high-end technology in the Noire X headphones is combined with a dramatic black-on-black aesthetic, improved ergonomics and high build quality, including ultra-tough Gorilla Glass 3 on the earcups and a self-tensioning headband.
The Noire X headphones have an RRP of $999.99 and their unique mix of attributes walks a line between performance and price. While most headphones use dynamic drivers with a stiff diaphragm and voice coil to produce sound through pistonic movement, the Noire X headphones have planar magnetic drivers. This technology uses a thin membrane in a magnetic field to create sonic vibrations. Among the advantages this technology is increased accuracy, less distortion and an improved soundstage.
For the Noire X, Dan Clark Audio has developed an enhanced version of its Aeon planar driver. The new driver has a diaphragm that measures 62 x 34mm and is significantly more rigid than its predecessor while offering 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 optimized V-Planar knurling deliver a smooth frequency response with low distortion throughout the listening range. The makers claim the Noire X achieve levels of detail that were previously the reserve of the company's top-tier headphones.
A critical addition to the Noire X is Dan Clark Audio's proprietary AMTS tuning system, previously found only in the company's top-of-the-line Stealth, Expanse, E3 and Corina models. 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, the Noire X headphones deliver a more balanced, nuanced and airy treble that the designers say is free of the fatiguing artifacts that can spoil the listening experience.
A self-tensioning headband on the Noire X reduces listening fatigue by distributing pressure evenly across the listener's head for a 'barely there' fit. Dan Clark Audio says this helps to prevent hot spots and pressure points, making the Noire X ideal for long hours of immersive listening.
Aesthetically, the Noire X has a black-on-black finish and detailing on the stitched headband and the new Gorilla Glass 3 finish of the earcups. Gorilla Glass 3 uses a thin sheet of alkali-aluminosilicate to make the glass more scratch and damage-resistant than conventional glass formulations. The headphones have a cool aesthetic completed by the tone-on-tone Noire X logo.
The Noire X headphones have newly designed ear pads for more comfortable listening. Formed from improved and ultra-stable memory foam, wrapped in high-quality synthetic leather, the ear pads eradicate foam rolling to ensure a more consistent fit and longer service life.
The use of Alcantara synthetic suede on the ear pad contact surface reduces heat and moisture build-up, providing a cool level of comfort during extended listening sessions. The Noire X ear pads are replaceable and backward compatible with Dan Clark Audio's Aeon 2 Noire, AEON RT Closed and AEON 2 Closed headphones.
The Noire X can have a comprehensive range of cable terminations, including combo 6.3mm and 3.5mm tips, balanced 4.4mm and 4-pin XLR. For even more flexibility in cable length and terminations, users can upgrade to Dan Clark Audio's premium VIVO cables, which are available in multiple lengths and termination options.
The Dan Clark Audio Noire X planar magnetic headphones are available in the U.K. from Electromod while in the U.S. you can buy directly from Dan Clark Audio website. The price is $999.99 / £1,000 inc. VAT.