Potato score: 90.1

90%

Dan Clark Audio NOIRE XO #1
Dan Clark Audio NOIRE XO variant 1
Dan Clark Audio NOIRE XO variant 2
Dan Clark Audio NOIRE XO variant 3
Dan Clark Audio NOIRE XO variant 4

Dan Clark Audio NOIRE XO

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NOIRE XO is available immediately. Shipments begin May 12.


NOIRE XO™ updates our iconic AEON 2 open by integrating DCA’s state-of-the-art Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System™ (AMTS™) with an improved driver, all carefully wrapped in a gorgeous ergonomically-enhanced design.
NOIRE XO’s dramatic black-on-black aesthetic, improved ear pads, self-adjusting headband, and beautiful open cups sumptuously hint at the numerous exciting upgrades within, all designed to maximize your listening pleasure.

Exquisite Acoustic Performance, Improved Comfort, and a Breakthrough Value!

NOIRE XO™ updates our iconic AEON 2 open by integrating DCA’s state-of-the-art Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System™ (AMTS™) with an improved driver, all carefully wrapped in a gorgeous ergonomically-enhanced design.

NOIRE XO’s dramatic black-on-black aesthetic, improved ear pads, self-adjusting headband, and beautiful open cups sumptuously hint at the numerous exciting upgrades within, all designed to maximize your listening pleasure.
With NOIRE XO, DCA sets a new standard in midrange headphone performance, comfort, and value!

No Open Headphone Compares

NOIRE XO is a unique open headphone in that it is one of very few designs that can actually track the industry standard Harman target curve. What does this mean for the listener? For starters, this is one of the very few planar magnetic headphone designs that can actually produce a truly balanced sound signature, with the powerful bass more typically associated with closed back designs. But that bass doesn’t come at the expense of soundstage and clarity!

NOIRE XO is designed around our new, updated, and improved NOIRE audio driver. The new driver is significantly more rigid than its predecessor, with superior unit-to-unit consistency, reduced distortion, improved reliability, and smoothed frequency response.

Extensive R&D investments were made to optimize other aspects of NOIRE XO’s planar driver. New manufacturing processes combined with highly optimized V-Planar knurling deliver a remarkably smooth frequency response with low distortion throughout the listening range, achieving levels of detail heretofore found primarily in our top-of-the-line headphones.

Leveraging our state-of-the-art Audio Precision 555B and B&K 5128 measurement system, we’ve carefully integrated NOIRE XO’s new driver with our patent-pending AMTS and redesigned ear pads to create an experience we’re sure you’ll never forget.

Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS)

Perhaps the most important feature of NOIRE XO is the addition of DCA’s critically-acclaimed AMTS tuning system, previously found only in our top-of-the-line Stealth, Expanse, E3 and Corina headphones.

Truly a revolution in acoustic engineering, AMTS uses advanced metamaterial design concepts to shape 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 these standing waves, NOIRE XO with AMTS delivers remarkably balanced, nuanced, and airy treble free of the fatiguing artifacts that diminish your listening experience.

Luxurious Comfort with Upgraded Ear Pads

NOIRE XO includes all-new ear pads to ensure an exceptionally comfortable experience. Using Alcantara synthetic suede on the contact surface reduces heat and moisture buildup, ensuring cool comfort during extended listening sessions, even in warmer or more humid environments.

In addition, the NOIRE XO Ear Pads are designed to reduce “foam rolling,” so the pads will have a longer usable life, and a more consistent fit and operation. NOIRE XO Ear Pads are backward compatible with our AEON 2 NOIRE, AEON RT Closed, and AEON 2 Closed headphones.

Self-Tensioning Headband

Our self-tensioning headband reduces listening fatigue by distributing pressure evenly across your head for a balanced, barely-there fit.

The uniform pressure distribution helps prevent hot spots and pressure points, making NOIRE XO ideal for long hours of immersive listening, free from adjustments or strain.NOIRE XO’s striking minimalist aesthetic is completed with the tone-on-tone understated color-scheme.

Enhanced Connectivity with Versatile Cable Options

NOIRE XO offers a comprehensive range of cable terminations, including combo 1/4" and 3.5mm, 4-pin XLR, and 4.4mm. For those seeking additional flexibility in cable length and termination, it’s easy to upgrade to our ultra-premium VIVO cables for more choices, including custom cable lengths.

With these versatile cable options, you can pair your headphones with any amplifier, eliminating the need for costly third-party cables and ensuring you get the most out of your audio setup.

So You Ask: How Does NOIRE XO Sound?

We’ve gone all-in with NOIRE XO to deliver the most exciting possible sonic experience, regardless of price. As is our custom, we never de-feature a headphone at lower price points, instead, we try to take the technology, comfort, and performance of our flagship headphones and cost-reduce them to realize superior performance at lower prices. Combining our no-compromise audio performance ethic with an exciting new look and great ergonomics establishes NOIRE XO among the greatest value/performance ratio headphones in the market.

Equally satisfying with all genres of music, NOIRE XO’s expansive soundstage, punchy bass, silky midrange, vibrantly smooth highs, and layers of detail will keep you engaged with your favorite music for days on end. Never fatiguing, NOIRE XO will have you revisiting your entire music library to experience your music like never before.

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Overall Score 90/100

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Deliciously Crispy

The NOIRE XO opens with uncommon bass authority for an open-back, pairing deep, controlled low end with airy, fatigue-free treble thanks to its AMTS acoustic tuning and refined driver. Reviewers from ecoustics and Best of High End applaud its expansive soundstage and low distortion, making it a standout value in its class.

ecoustics

"Yeah, you read that right—an open-back that actually delivers bass without making you wish you had a subwoofer nearby."

Pros

  • Open-back planar with unusually deep, controlled bass that rivals closed-back designs.
  • Reduced high-frequency standing waves and airy, non-fatiguing treble thanks to AMTS tuning and driver refinements.
  • Comfortable, durable ergonomics — Alcantara ear pads and a self-tensioning headband suit extended listening sessions.
  • Flagship-level performance and Harman-target tracking at a strong mid‑range price, offering exceptional performance-per-dollar.

Sound Quality

91/100

Bass

92/100

Reviewers repeatedly note sub-bass extension and authority 'usually reserved for closed-back' designs; delivers unusually deep, controlled bass for an open-back headphone, with claims of rivaling closed-back models and 'bass authority' without boom.

Mid

90/100

Mids described as detailed, clear and well-bodied — follows Harman target tendencies while retaining warmth and vocal presence; reviewers cite improved detail and clarity over predecessors.

Treble

90/100

AMTS and driver refinements reduce standing waves and high-frequency fatigue; treble is praised as nuanced, airy and refined with fewer harsh artifacts across extended listening.

Soundstage Imaging

91/100

Open-back soundstage retained despite strong bass; reviewers highlight clarity, width/depth and ability to track Harman/B&K diffuse-field targets, producing a stable, well-focused image.

Dynamics

90/100

Reduced distortion, stiffer driver and V-Planar knurling deliver strong micro/macro dynamics and punch for the form-factor; reviewers note improved headroom and lower distortion compared with prior models.

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Build Quality

89/100

High-quality materials and ergonomics: Alcantara pads, self-tensioning headband and refined driver construction cited; comfort and fit noted for long listening sessions, with solid craftsmanship implied.

Features Connectivity

82/100

Passive baseline applied. Includes multiple terminating cables (1/4", 3.5mm, 4-pin XLR, 4.4mm) giving flexible pairing with amps and sources; AMTS noted as acoustic feature for HF control.

Value for Money

91/100

At ~$1,299 reviewers call it a 'must-hear mid-priced reference' and say DCA 'raised the bar' and competes with higher-priced rivals (Audeze, HIFIMAN, Meze), indicating strong performance-per-dollar.

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