Dan Clark Audio NOIRE XO Review: Impossible Bass Response Meets Audiophile Soundstage
Read Time: Approx. 17 min.
Harman Perfected: Where Open-Back Spaciousness Meets Deep Bass Extension
In 2024, the Dan Clark Audio NOIRE X Headphones hit the market swinging as an iconic-sounding closed-back can. While we were all busy swooning over the NOIRE X, Dan Clark Audio was busy cooking up a plan: A plan to release the open-back counterpart, the high-end NOIRE XO Open-Back Headphones–right under our nose.
If you know anything about Dan Clark Audio, it's no surprise that the NOIRE X has finally received its open-back counterpart. Like peanut butter and jelly, you can't have one without the other. But the tricks don't stop there! The NOIRE XO Headphones sport a unique edge as one of the few models on the market accurately tuned to the Harman Target Curve. What does that mean for the sound quality? Well, let's find out!
PROS
- Deep, Extended Bass Response
- Perfect blend of open-back and closed-back sound
- Comfortable, lightweight, fatigue-free
CONS
Design
When it comes to design, Dan Clark Audio rarely strays. The NOIRE XO complements its closed-back counterpart with an all-black aesthetic, from the tension rods to the ear cups and ear pads. As an open-back headphone, the NORIE XO features a grille that's slightly sunken in, creating a natural curved shape.
Dan Clark Audio headphones always rank high on the scale of comfort for me. I love how the intentional self-tensioning headband design allows for head shapes of all sizes to enjoy a comfortable listening experience, and the removable adhesive ear pads make upgrading easy when it's time for new ones. The ear pads' surface is made from the same Alcantara synthetic suede as the DCA NOIRE X, which Dan Clark says reduces heat and moisture buildup, ensuring cool comfort while you listen. The ear pads are also backward compatible with the Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 NOIRE, DCA AEON RT CLOSED, and AEON 2 CLOSED Headphones.
The NOIRE XO features Dan Clark's folding architecture that enables you to fold the ear cups inward and stow them safely away in the included carrying case. The headphone is constructed with a combination of titanium, aluminum, and carbon, promoting an ultralight feeling on your head while maintaining durability for years of use.
At 408g, the NOIRE XO is slightly heavier than the NOIRE X (385g), but it's not noticeable, and it feels as lightweight as ever. Design-wise, not much has changed between the two models, and I'm never not impressed by a DCA headphone.
Included with the NOIRE XO is Dan Clark's iconic hardshell compact carrying case #score! They've kept the cable situation fairly uncomplicated with a detachable headphone cable featuring a 1/4" connector. This comes standard with the headphone, but they do have multiple connection options available during the time of purchase.
Sound
Dan Clark Audio is one of the few hi-fi manufacturers intentionally designing headphones around the Harman Curve. As audiophiles, we're all familiar with the Harman Target Curve on some level, and while at times it can be a controversial topic, it's a valuable tool for headphone measurements and testing. As a basshead, I don't give the Harman Target Curve much thought, but for discerning listeners, it's a desired and enjoyable sound quality. For unbiased listening, I have taken all of my preconceived notions and opinions of the Harman Curve out of the equation–and thrown them out the window! After all, it does have its place, and it fares well with many genres.
The NOIRE XO is one of the few audiophile-grade open-back headphones on the market (at the moment) that accurately follows the Harman Target Curve through the entire frequency spectrum. What does that mean for the sound? While most open-back headphones struggle to produce the bass output expected from the Harman Curve, the NOIRE XO manages to achieve a powerful bass response that's akin to a closed-back headphone.
The NOIRE XO's bass response is one of its most notable qualities. Anyone who's ever listened to an open-back headphone can probably count on one hand the number of times they've heard an incredibly impactful bass response–I know I can. We naturally associate bass with closed-back headphones, but if there's one thing about a Dan Clark Audio headphone, it's to expect the unexpected.
The DCA E3 Headphones dropped jaws with its ability to mimic an open-back sound quality in a closed-back headphone, and the same can be said about the NOIRE X. The NOIRE XO has dropped my jaw once more, delivering the hallmarks of a closed-back headphone in an open-back design. The bass response is visceral and extends low. Mind you, it's not subwoofer-level low, but the NOIRE XO delivers great mid-bass and sub-bass energy. Enjoying one of my favorite genres, hip-hop, I queued up some of the latest releases, most of which contain a distinct bass response. The NOIRE XO handled the bass response amazingly with low distortion and great extension.
The NOIRE XO's sound quality is dynamic, rich, and balanced. With the right song playing, you're placed right in the middle of the action with a spacious soundstage and precise imaging. Female vocals were rich, harmonious, and full of character. The AMTS technology is working overtime with those high frequencies. From the second you hit play, Ain't That A Kick in The Head by Dean Martin leads with brass instruments and percussion, which can become easily fatiguing. Pushing the limits of the NOIRE XO, I turned the volume up on the Astell&Kern SP3000M DAP (as much as I could bear), and I'm delighted to report I enjoyed a sweet, smooth melody. The instruments sounded just as they would live.
This is one of my favorite songs, and I wish, for just one second, I could travel back in time to experience it live. I imagine the atmosphere of the room, the electricity on the dance floor, and the feeling of my heart beating out of my chest as I dance my socks off during the periods of instrumentation. The NOIRE XO brings me as close as I'll ever get to being present in that moment–and that's one of the most magical things about a beautiful headphone.
Dan Clark Audio has mastered the art of balance with the NOIRE XO. They've hit all the markers: Dynamic, balanced, rich, prominent, and spacious. Acoustic, classical, and folk songs are light and airy, delivering that signature open-back sound. With the impactful bass response and low-end extension, I enjoyed high-energy genres like R&B, hip-hop, and pop with little left to be desired. I could close my eyes and trick my mind into believing this was a closed-back headphone. The NOIRE XO is a great choice for the dynamic listener who doesn't necessarily favor one listening style over the other–analytical or warm and musical.
Ain't That A Kick In The Head
By Dean Martin
(The Capitol Years)
Dough
By Key Glock
(Yellow Tape)
No I'm Not In Love
By Tate McRae
(So Close to What)
Another Life
By SZA
(SOS Deluxe: LANA)
Features
Just like the NOIRE X, the NOIRE XO features Dan Clark's signature AMTS technology, which eliminates standing high-frequency waves associated with less-than-desirable high-frequency sounds. The AMTS technology enables the NOIRE XO to deliver a remarkably balanced sound that's nuanced, airy, and free of fatigue in the treble region. The NOIRE XO features the NOIRE Audio driver, which is significantly more rigid than the AEON 2 series driver. A redesigned V-planar diaphragm in the driver starts and stops quickly for a powerful, textured sound quality. You'll enjoy a remarkably smooth frequency response with low distortion throughout the entire listening range.
Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS)
The NOIRE XO isn't the first headphone to feature Dan Clark Audio's signature technology, the Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System. It's become regularly incorporated into their latest releases, making an appearance in the Stealth, Expanse, E3, NOIRE X, and Corina Headphones.
AMTS uses advanced metamaterial design concepts to share system frequency response while simultaneously eliminating high-frequency standing waves, which are responsible for the synthetic-sounding high frequencies found in all too many headphones. By eliminating standing waves, the Noire XO delivers remarkably balanced, nuanced, and airy treble free of the fatiguing artifacts that diminish your listening experience.
NOIRE Audio Driver
The NOIRE XO features the NOIRE Audio driver, which is significantly more rigid than the AEON 2 series driver. A redesigned V-planar diaphragm in the driver starts and stops quickly for a powerful, textured sound quality. You'll enjoy a remarkably smooth frequency response with low distortion throughout the entire listening range.
V-Planar Driver Processing
Improves bass response and lowers distortion
Travel Friendly
Packs Small!
Titanium, Aluminum, & Carbon
Ultralight, Yet Ultra-Strong
Comparisons
Now I know what you're thinking: how could I possibly compare an open-back headphone to a closed-back one? Of course, there will be clear sonic differences between the two, but if we've learned anything about the NOIRE X and NOIRE XO, it's that they don't fit the traditional mold of what an open and closed-back headphone should sound like. Dan Clark Audio has managed to break those molds and give us two headphones that perform beyond the bounds of their design type.
This section isn't meant to be a hard-and-fast comparison. It's meant to familiarize you with both headphones and help you in your buying journey, because at the end of the day, the best headphone for you will sound great, fit comfortably, and blend seamlessly into your existing lifestyle.
Design & Ergonomic Scenarios
Both the NOIRE X and NOIRE XO are fantastic headphones that stand proud on their own. As a closed-back headphone with sealed ear cups, the NOIRE X is going to be ideal for listening in communal spaces–think on the train or in the office. You get a great seal without that uncomfortable feeling of complete immersion. With Gorilla Glass 3-Clad ear cups, Dan Clark Audio has made the NOIRE X durable and scratch-resistant, which is great for everyday use.
Naturally, the NOIRE XO's open-back design lends itself to some sound leakage, lending itself to at-home listening and times where isolating noise isn't required. So with that being said, make part of your purchasing decision with your ergonomic scenarios in mind. Think about where you'll use these headphones the most.
Sound
Now, if sound leakage or noise isolation aren't factors for you, let's get into the sound of each.
As I mentioned, Dan Clark Audio has engineered its most recent closed-back headphones to deliver some of the hallmarks of an "open-back listening experience" in a closed-back headphone. While they're not guaranteeing an open-back headphone in a closed-back design, it's an impressive feat nonetheless, offering listeners the spacious soundstage and airy quality of the open-back sound without the unwanted sound leakage.
The NOIRE X has the hallmarks of a closed-back headphone: Bold, dynamic sound quality that's immersive and places you in the middle of the action. Overall, it's very immersive with great dynamic range from the top-end energy to the full-bodied bass. Compared to the bass response of the NOIRE XO, the NOIRE X has more rumble and presence. The NOIRE X is a great choice for the audiophile who needs noise isolation and total immersion but doesn't want to compromise on a dynamic, lifelike sound quality.
The NOIRE XO leads in the soundstage category with clear instrument separation, imaging, and layering. There are some subtleties like more articulation and nuance in the midrange, while still being dynamic and musical. You get a noticeable, lifelike, almost amphitheater-style sound that only a truly open-back headphone can mimic. Vocals are breathy and airy when they need to be, and the midrange bleeds harmony.
Both headphones will have no problem handling the demands of your music library and genre preferences, delivering two distinct sound qualities that are easy to love.
There is no winner in this comparison because each one of these headphones possesses unique sonic qualities that can't be compared. Like I said before, it comes down to what YOU want in a headphone. Do you need complete isolation and immersion? Between open, airy, and spacious, or bold, dynamic, and smooth, which do you enjoy more?
Dragon Cables
[Blue Dragon Premium Headphone Cable]
With no shortage of headphone cables to choose from, I was thrilled at how beautifully the NOIRE XO complemented our Blue Dragon Premium Headphone Cable. The Blue Dragon's sound signature is clear and neutral–the perfect choice for the NOIRE XO.
Because the NOIRE XO is tuned so precisely, it didn't need any added coloration or alteration. Think of the Blue Dragon as an eyeglass cleaner. It doesn't improve the prescription strength of the lens, it just cleans it so you can see more clearly.
If you feel the NOIRE XO is lacking in the low-end, add the Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable. It will add some bottom-end weight for a warmer, smoother, more musical sound. The Silver Dragon Premium Headphone Cable will add top-end resolution and clarity if you feel it lacks on the detail retrieval front. These are all personal choices based on your musical tastes. It's what makes our Dragon Audio Cables so special. You get to choose how your music sounds, and you don't have to buy an entirely new headphone to achieve your dream sound quality.
Verdict
Expect the Unexpected: Three words I've come to equate with Dan Clark Audio Headphones. In the last two years, DCA has managed to set a new standard for audiophile-grade headphones, delivering us premium headphones without the ultra-premium price tag. The Dan Clark Audio NOIRE XO Open-Back Headphones sit in a league of their own as one of the few models on the market tuned precisely to the Harman Target Curve. It's an impressive feat that not many have attempted, and Dan Clark isn't scared to stand on this island alone. Why? Because only the boldest make history.
The NOIRE XO Headphones possess everything you want from a midrange audiophile headphone. At $1,299, the NOIRE XO delivers a spacious soundstage, harmonious midrange, and a low-end so impressive you'll be second-guessing whether these cans are truly open. Who is the NOIRE XO for? The NOIRE XO Headphones are the perfect choice for the dynamic listener who enjoys both detail and articulation, as well as musicality and subtle warmth. Our Blue Dragon Premium Headphone Cable complemented the NOIRE XO's sound beautifully as a neutral and clear-sounding cable. It made everything a little clearer when it wasn't, and never added any unwanted coloration that negatively impacted the NOIRE XO's harmonious sound.
Harmonious. Balanced. Poised. While a picture uses a thousand words to describe itself, the NOIRE XO only needs three.
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What's in the Box
- Dan Clark Audio Noire XO Open-Back Headphones
- Compact carry case
- Detachable cable with multiple termination options (1/4" and 3.5mm combo, 4-pin XLR, and 4.4mm)
- User documentation
Specifications
Weight: 408g
Impedance: 16 ohms
Efficiency: ~94dB/mW
Recommended Minimum Power: 250mW
Driver Type: Planar magnetic with V-Planar Knurling
Design: Open-Back
Ear Pad Material: Memory foam with Alcantara suede contact surface
Cable Connections: VIVO-compatible for optional premium cable upgrades
