Dan Clark Audio continues to revolutionize the closed back headphone market with their latest offering, the Noire X. Building on the success of models like the E3 and Stealth, DCA now brings their acclaimed AMTS (Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System) technology to a more accessible price point. The Noire X promises cleaner sound and enhanced bass response, potentially setting a new standard for closed back headphones in its category.

Design and Build Quality

The Noire X makes a striking first impression with its piano black gorilla glass outer shell, a significant upgrade from the plastic construction of previous models. This aesthetic choice lives up to the "Noire" namesake while providing enhanced durability. While many manufacturers offer dark-colored headphones, DCA fully embraces this aesthetic direction, creating what might be the best-looking headphones in their price range.

Under the hood, DCA has completely redesigned the driver system. The new drivers deliver approximately 94dB/mW sensitivity, with a suggested minimum power requirement of 250mW. At 16 ohms impedance, these headphones strike a middle ground in terms of driving requirements – not particularly difficult but not exactly easy either.

The implementation of AMTS technology, previously found in the E3 and Stealth models, brings new capabilities to the Noire X. DCA has tuned these headphones to follow the Harman curve, resulting in enhanced bass response and clearer highs compared to previous iterations.

Comfort and Practicality

DCA's reputation for comfort needs little introduction, and the Noire X maintains this tradition. The self-adjusting headband design, shared with the E3 and Corina models, offers improved ease of use compared to the original Aeon. The headband maintains its position better, while a firmer seal actually improves comfort for glasses wearers.

The new earpads represent perhaps the most significant comfort upgrade. These rank among the highest quality stock pads available on any headphone under $1,000. The thicker design accommodates larger ears without touching the drivers, while the Alcantara surface and leather exterior promote long-term wearing comfort. These pads maintain compatibility with other Aeon models, adding value for existing DCA customers.

At 385 grams, the Noire X remains comfortable for extended listening sessions ranging from 4-12 hours. The folding design and DCA's versatile vivo cable system make these perfect for traveling professionals who refuse to compromise on sound quality.

Sound Quality

Soundstage and Imaging

The AMTS system proves its worth in the Noire X's soundstage presentation. This technology creates a more natural and enveloping soundstage than previous Aeon models, with an airy openness that provides excellent definition. While the bassier signature slightly reduces absolute definition, the imaging remains accurate and impressively wide for closed back headphones.

The presentation reminds me of the Audeze LCD-2's tuning, though with slightly less soundstage width. Listeners who enjoy Audeze's house sound but need a closed back option will find much to love here.

Bass Response

The Noire X fundamentally reimagines the bass presentation of its predecessor, delivering a fuller, more muscular sound that particularly shines in the mid and high bass regions. This isn't just a matter of more bass - it's about how that bass integrates into the overall signature. "Kiss It All Goodbye" by Herjaza reveals the true character of this low-end tuning, where each bass note blooms with a rich, organic warmth that feels more like a gentle wave than a sharp impact. The transients take their time to develop, creating a deliberate, almost analog-like presentation that prioritizes timbre and texture over speed.

What sets the Noire X apart from other bass-forward headphones lies in its ability to maintain clarity despite its warm tendencies. Where many similarly tuned headphones muddy the waters, the Noire X carves out distinct spaces for each element of the mix. The enhanced low end never feels like it's fighting for attention or overwhelming other frequencies. Instead, it forms a robust foundation that supports rather than dominates, allowing the entire frequency range to breathe and expand naturally within the soundstage.

Midrange Performance

Though DCA hasn't positioned the midrange as the star of the show, the Noire X delivers a remarkably sophisticated middle frequency presentation that reveals its true musical soul. The mids exhibit a warm, tactile quality that brings instruments and vocals to life with an almost physical presence. Each element feels touchable, with a three-dimensional quality that extends beyond mere sound reproduction.

"Palermo" by Daryl Jones showcases this sophisticated midrange handling beautifully. The synth notes emerge from the mix with startling realism, while vocals float above with natural warmth and body. The Noire X demonstrates remarkable skill in preserving the textural nuances of acoustic instruments while maintaining perfect separation between elements. Clean tracks reveal layers of subtle detail, with each instrument occupying its own distinct space in the mix. When challenged with heavier material, these headphones unveil a different character entirely - delivering an authoritative growl that brings electric guitars and aggressive vocals to life without ever crossing into harshness or sibilance.

What makes this midrange presentation particularly special is how it maintains clarity and definition while avoiding the clinical character that often plagues analytical headphones. There's a natural musicality here that makes extended listening sessions both engaging and fatigue-free. The Noire X manages to thread the needle between resolution and warmth, creating a presentation that serves the music rather than dissecting it.

Treble Extension

DCA's expertise in treble tuning manifests beautifully in the Noire X, showing their mastery of frequency balance. While these headphones won't satisfy listeners hunting for microscopic detail or razor-sharp highs, they excel at something potentially more valuable - creating a perfectly integrated treble response that enhances rather than dominates the sound signature. The high frequencies act like a sophisticated seasoning, adding sparkle and air without ever becoming the main course.

"Because they Want Our Seat" by Sara Landry and Nico Moreno serves as a perfect showcase for this balanced approach. The synthesizers slice through the mix with an initial sharp bite, then gracefully dissolve into a shimmering reverb tail that expands outward into the soundstage. Even as the thunderous bass pounds beneath, these high-frequency elements maintain their distinctive character without becoming harsh or fatiguing. The track's aggressive electronic textures reveal how the Noire X handles complex treble information - each synth retains its cutting edge and metallic sheen, yet seamlessly meshes with the fuller frequencies below.

What impresses most is how the expansive soundstage interacts with these treble elements. As synthesizer lines ping across the stereo field, they maintain their clarity and definition without smearing or losing focus. The reverb decays float naturally in the space, creating an almost three-dimensional sense of depth. This presentation brings excitement and energy to electronic music while keeping everything coherent and musical - a difficult balance that many headphones struggle to achieve.

Conclusion

Dan Clark Audio's Noire X successfully brings flagship technology to a more accessible price point while maintaining excellent build quality and comfort. The implementation of AMTS technology and Harman curve tuning creates an engaging listening experience that works well across multiple genres.

For listeners seeking a closed back headphone that combines isolation with expansive sound, the Noire X deserves serious consideration. It offers a compelling mix of technical performance and musical engagement, wrapped in a premium package that stands out both visually and sonically. While it might not match the absolute technical capabilities of DCA's flagship models, it brings many of their benefits to a more accessible price point.