Dan Clark Noire XO vs. Audeze LCD-X Comparison Review

Dan Clark Audio’s new Noire XO has been making waves in the audiophile community as a premium open-back reference headphone. Previously stacked up against headphones like the HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled and Dan Clark EXPANSE, the Noire XO consistently demonstrated refined soundstage and balanced tuning. Today, we compare the Noire XO to the Audeze LCD-X, another staple in the reference headphone world known for its dark timbre and natural sound reproduction. With only a $100 price difference, these two planar magnetic headphones cater to critical listeners, mixing engineers, and hi-fi enthusiasts alike. Let’s break down their differences in design, sound, and performance.

What Comes In The Box

Dan Clark Noire XO ships with everything a discerning listener might expect: the headphones themselves, Alcantara earpads, a detachable cable (with upgrade options), a travel-ready carrying case, a cleaning cloth, and a detailed user manual—all protected by a Dan Clark Audio warranty. Audeze LCD-X includes the robust LCD travel case, a 4-pin XLR cable, and a 4-pin XLR to 1/4" TRS adapter. While the accessories are slightly bulkier, they maintain Audeze’s reputation for premium, studio-ready gear and broad connectivity.

Design, Comfort & Build Quality

The Noire XO sports a sleek black-on-black aesthetic and inherits the lightweight, collapsible build of the AEON series. The open-back grille enhances airflow and acoustic transparency without compromising portability. Newly refined Alcantara earpads improve moisture control and heat dissipation—critical for long mixing sessions. The teardrop ear cups and auto-adjusting headband provide a secure and fatigue-free fit, while the range of terminations (3.5mm, 4.4mm, XLR) ensures seamless integration into any setup. The Noire XO remains surprisingly easy to drive, even from lower-powered sources.

In contrast, the Audeze LCD-X emphasizes robust industrial design. Its large 106mm planar drivers sit in generously sized, fully over-ear cups. The angled earpads offer a strong seal, though the headphone’s considerable 612g weight may lead to listener fatigue during marathon sessions. The adjustable headband mitigates this somewhat, but some users may benefit from taking breaks. With mini-XLR connectors and a highly durable case, the LCD-X is well-equipped for both studio and audiophile use—but isn’t exactly portable.

Tech Specs

Listening Review

Soundstage & Imaging

The Noire XO delivers a carefully sculpted soundstage that prioritizes spatial realism over exaggerated width. Its presentation is more intimate than ultra-wide flagships like the Sennheiser HD 800S, but it offers greater precision in stereo placement and vertical layering. Dan Clark Audio’s Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS) plays a crucial role here, smoothing high-frequency peaks while preserving clarity. As a result, instruments occupy a believable acoustic space: vocals are naturally centered, pianos stretch laterally without overextending, and ambient effects feel immersive without bloating the mix. This makes the Noire XO particularly adept at complex recordings, like chamber music or post-rock, where spatial cohesion and layering are essential to the listening experience. The height component of the stage is also noteworthy—percussion often feels as though it’s positioned slightly above the listener’s head, giving the mix vertical depth.

The LCD-X offers a massive, immersive soundstage that envelops the listener in a semi-holographic field. While the staging is more expansive in lateral width and depth compared to the Noire XO, it takes a different approach: rather than emphasizing vertical layering, the LCD-X spreads elements across a broad front-facing canvas, much like a cinematic mixing console. Instruments and effects sit in clearly defined pockets across the stereo field, and the imaging is surgically precise. Panning effects glide seamlessly, reverbs bloom naturally, and ensemble recordings like jazz quartets or orchestras feel like they're unfolding on a real stage in front of you. The darker tonality of the LCD-X doesn’t compromise imaging detail; if anything, it enhances the sensation of depth by letting the sound wash over you more gently. The result is a lush, enveloping experience that favors natural ambiance and realism over pinpoint analytical separation.

Bass Response

The bass response of the Noire XO is tailored for accuracy and texture rather than brute force. Sub-bass extension is present and tastefully tuned, reaching low enough to reproduce fundamental notes without exaggerated rumble. You won’t get chest-thumping impact, but you will get highly detailed transients—bass lines are tight, rhythmic, and full of tonal information. The XO’s bass character is slightly warm with a gentle emphasis on the upper bass and lower mids, adding fullness to male vocals and acoustic instruments without ever becoming bloated. Tracks with upright bass, like those from Esperanza Spalding or Nick Drake, come through with wood grain texture and nuanced decay. Electronic genres like house or IDM don’t hit as hard as they do on the LCD-X, but they still sound controlled and articulate. Overall, the Noire XO’s low end serves the music, not the ego, and excels in genres where fidelity and agility are more important than bombast.

The LCD-X's low end is bold, spacious, and masterfully controlled. This headphone is known for its authoritative bass response, and it doesn’t disappoint—sub-bass digs deep with a rich, physical presence that gives music undeniable weight. However, this isn’t a bloated or flabby bass; it’s taut and disciplined, providing foundational support without clouding the mids. There's a slight warmth that infuses the overall tonality, making the LCD-X particularly rewarding for hip-hop, R&B, and cinematic scores, where low-end layering is essential. Kick drums hit with satisfying heft, and synth basses feel full-bodied and dimensional. Compared to the Noire XO, the LCD-X gives you more of a visceral experience—one that’s both analytical and musical. It walks the fine line between studio accuracy and audiophile indulgence, making it a favorite among both engineers and bass lovers alike.

Midrange Frequencies

Midrange is where the Noire XO arguably shines brightest. It strikes an ideal balance between neutrality and emotional weight, offering clean vocal reproduction and instrument clarity without any noticeable dips or colorations. Acoustic guitars have tactile realism; piano chords have harmonic depth; layered vocals stay untangled. Even in dense arrangements—like progressive rock, cinematic folk, or modern jazz—the XO keeps each element distinct. The slight warmth inherited from the low mids adds body without bloat, making it easy to enjoy everything from dry studio vocals to lush orchestral arrangements. This is a headphone that invites close inspection of your mix or favorite album, thanks to its transparent midband resolution and absence of midrange grain. Those who work in vocal mixing, string arrangement, or dialogue editing will especially appreciate the XO's honest and revealing mids.

The LCD-X midrange is immediate, expressive, and full of presence. Vocals are forward without being shouty, making them ideal for both critical monitoring and immersive listening. There’s an unmistakable sense of density and tactility in this range—string instruments feel lush and velvety, electric guitars snarl with harmonic richness, and complex mixes retain their cohesion without becoming congested. This fullness, coupled with a natural timbre, gives the LCD-X its famed “you are there” quality. Male and female vocals alike sound intimate and believable, while synths and brass instruments benefit from the weight and depth of the lower mids. Compared to the Noire XO, the LCD-X’s mids feel more anchored and warm, which can be a boon for mastering engineers or listeners who prefer slightly more saturated textures in their mids without sacrificing transparency.

Treble Response

The treble on the Noire XO walks a careful line between extension and smoothness. With help from the AMTS system, high-frequency content is free of unwanted peaks or sibilance, making the XO suitable for long listening sessions without fatigue. This is not a headphone that aims for brilliance—it avoids the overly bright "audiophile sparkle" that some brands pursue. Instead, it delivers refined and airy treble that favors harmonic realism and decay control. You’ll hear every detail in a hi-hat or vocal sibilant, but it’s presented naturally, never hyped. The slight lift in the upper treble (~10kHz and beyond) adds just enough air to keep the sound open and expansive, enhancing imaging and spatial cues. Genres like folk, classical, and ambient really benefit from this kind of top-end—cymbals shimmer, strings resonate with dimension, and ambient textures breathe effortlessly.

While the LCD-X’s treble is less forward than its bass and mids, it still offers solid resolution and surprising sparkle. The presentation is smooth and slightly relaxed, which contributes to its darker overall tonality. Highs are detailed but never sharp—ideal for listeners who are treble-sensitive or working with bright, digital recordings. Cymbals have realistic decay, and the high-frequency content contributes to soundstage width without ever taking the spotlight. On treble-heavy tracks, like orchestral overtures or ambient electronic music, you’ll notice that the LCD-X doesn’t exaggerate details but presents them faithfully, allowing for an accurate and fatigue-free monitoring experience. Compared to the Noire XO, the LCD-X is more laid-back up top, but it still offers more than enough resolution for pro-level audio work.

Final Thoughts

Both the Dan Clark Noire XO and Audeze LCD-X excel in the high-end headphone space, but cater to different listener priorities. The Noire XO favors clarity, midrange realism, and fatigue-free detail—making it perfect for analytical listening and vocal-focused work. The LCD-X provides a weightier, warmer sound signature with a wider soundstage, ideal for immersive music enjoyment and deep mix evaluation.

If you prefer ultra-precise imaging and neutral midrange, go with the Noire XO. If you're after rich low-end, lush mids, and a more cinematic presentation, the LCD-X is your match.

The Dan Clark Noire XO and the Audeze LCD-X are both available at Audio46.

Quick Comparison Chart