Dan Clark Audio Noire X

The latest in Dan Clark's powerhouse planar lineup

The Dan Clark Audio Noire X closed-back headphones can be seen as both the company's latest evolution and a return to their roots. Sure, DCA's top-of-the-line headphones (like their closed-back STEALTH) have earned rave reviews and served as headline attractions at personal audio shows like CanJam. But Dan Clark first made his name on headphones like these — planar magnetic 'models that performed as well as planars that cost three times as much.

For this model, DCA took the bones of their popular "Noire version" of the AEON 2 headphones and made improvements to the driver system and ergonomics. These headphones benefit from design breakthroughs made when creating the E3 closed-backs. The most obvious is the Gorilla Glass finish. But they also set out to incorporate the chief sonic attributes, like the lightning quick attack and decay, spacious soundstage, and tight, punchy bass response.

Incredible build and comfort

Aside from that sturdy Gorilla Glass, the Noire X headphones sport the familiar design of the AEON series. The teardrop-shaped earcups feel smooth and ultralight, with two bass ports on each to reinforce the low end. The nickel-titanium outer headband is strong and extra-flexible, and it helps everything slide into place.

DCA updated the design of their ear pads to keep them feeling cozy and breathable. Soft alcantara lines the area that touches your skin, while thick memory foam helps cushion the

Patented tuning smooths "peaks and holes" in upper frequencies

For the planar magnetic drivers in these headphones, Dan Clark Audio refined their pleated "V-Planar" diaphragm. Its accordion-like pattern helps it start and stop quickly, pushing more air. They also placed their patent-pending "AMTS" damping filter between the driver and the ear, to expand the soundstage and smooth out harsh high-end frequencies.

AMTS stands for "Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System," and it's essentially a slope shape baffle. It's pockmarked with a series of grooves, deliberate in their depth and placement. Each groove targets specific "problem" frequencies and standing sound waves to address distortion, sharp sonic spikes, and sudden, distracting dips.