Dan Clark Audio Noire XO Open-Back Headphones
The New Standard in Open-Back Headphones
Exquisite Acoustic Performance, Improved Comfort,and a Breakthrough Value!
NOIRE XO updates our iconic AEON 2 open by integrating DCAs state-of-the-art AcousticMetamaterial Tuning System (AMTS) with an improved driver, all carefully wrapped in agorgeous ergonomically-enhanced design.
NOIRE XOs 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 doesnt come at the expense of soundstage and clarity!
NOIRE XO is designed around our new updated and improved NOIRE audio driver. The newdriver 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 XOs 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, weve carefully integrated NOIRE XOs new driver with our patent-pending AMTS and redesigned ear pads to create an experience were sure youll never forget.
AMTS
Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System
Perhaps the most important feature of NOIRE XO is theaddition of DCAs critically-acclaimed AMTS tuningsystem, 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 withAMTS delivers remarkably balanced, nuanced, and airytreble free of the fatiguing artifacts that diminish your listening experience.
Self-Tensioning Headband
Our self-tensioning headband reduces listening fatigue by distributing pressure evenly acrossyour head for a balanced, barely-there fit. The uniform pressure distribution helps prevent hotspots and pressure-points, making NOIRE XO ideal for long hours of immersive listening, freefrom adjustments or strain.
NOIRE XOs striking minimalist aesthetic is completed with the tone-on-tone understatedNOIRE XO logo.
Luxurious Comfort with Upgraded Ear Pads
NOIRE XO includes all-new ear pads to ensure an exceptionally comfortable experience. UsingAlcantara synthetic suede on the contact surface reduces heat and moisture buildup, ensuringcool 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 havea longer usable life, and more consistent fit and operation. NOIRE XO Ear Pads are backwardscompatible with our AEON 2 NOIRE, AEON RT Closed, and AEON 2 Closed headphones.
Enhanced Connectivity with Versatile Cable Options
NOIRE XO offers a comprehensive range of cable terminations, including combo 1/4" and3.5mm, 4-pin XLR, and 4.4mm. For those seeking additional flexibility in cable length andtermination, its easy to upgrade to our ultra-premium VIVO cables for more choices, includingcustom cable lengths.
With these versatile cable options, you can pair your headphones with any amplifier, eliminatingthe 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?
Weve 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 XOs 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. ]\
- Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS) for unrivaled high-frequency accuracy and resolution
- NOIRE XO is one of the few open headphones that can follow the Harman target curve through the entire frequency spectrum, with near-perfect curve compliance as well as an extremely close fit to the B&K diffuse field curve, modified using Harman EQ points.
- NOTE: See the FAQ for 5128 measurements of the NOIRE XO and NOIRE X overlaid with theHarman Beta curve for the 5128
- NOTE: On a GRAS 45CA the NOIRE X will have better compliance to the Harman curve. However we feel the 5128 better reflects the listening experience and as such we are moving to that as our comparison target
- New driver design for improved consistency and reliability vs prior generation AEON headphones.
- Updated ear pads with new features to reduce foam movement within the pad, as well as an Alcantara suede surface where the ear pad rests on the head for improved comfort.
- Incorporation of our critically acclaimed self-tensioning headband
- Reduced distortion for improved clarity and a smoother overall sound
- Folds for convenient transport in the included compact carry case
- NOIRE XO is an open-back headphone with a uniquely rich, well balanced tone. Enjoy the sense of spaciousness, but also the powerful and clean bass that is so much less typical of open designs
- Be sure to enjoy the huge soundstage and precision imaging. We believe NOIRE XO is a true industry leader in presenting an accurately rendered wide and deep soundstage with crystal-clear layering of instruments and voices
- We find that vocalists have an incredible sense of being "in the room," and that complex vocal layering and harmonies are wonderfully articulated and easy to hear
- Pay particular attention to the rendering of percussion and cymbals. We believe the new AMTS tuning has one of the best high-frequency signatures we've heard, regardless of price. This was achieved by using our new 5128 measurement fixture to improve our AMTS tuning process
- Enjoy the vanishingly low distortion
- Play some music with very deep bass and experience incredibly low distortion and extended "sub-bass"
