Dressed in black and built to impress, Dan Clark Audio’s Noire X closed-back planar magnetic headphones artfully balance premium sound and craftsmanship with price-conscious sensibility – given they feature much of the engineering found in the brand’s £4,100 flagship models, the closed-back Stealth and open-back Expanse.
For those not overly familiar with Dan Clark Audio, the company is based in San Diego, and has carved a name for itself with a no-nonsense approach to headphone design, holding six patents and cultivating a global following among serious music lovers.
The Noire X have been designed to provide an unusually wide and open soundstage, all while offering the practical closed-back benefits of reduced sound leakage and improved noise isolation.
The Noire X have been designed to provide an unusually wide and open soundstage…
Closed-back headphones with an open-back soul
At the heart of the Noire X is an upgraded Aeon planar magnetic driver. Unlike traditional dynamic drivers that push a rigid cone back and forth, planar drivers use an ultra-thin membrane suspended in a magnetic field. This approach typically offers faster response times, lower distortion, and far better accuracy.
In the Noire X, the 62x34mm diaphragm has been completely re-engineered for more rigidity and better consistency between units.
But the innovation doesn’t stop there. DCA’s signature V-Planar knurling, a microscopic pattern pressed into the diaphragm, smoothes frequency response across the spectrum and delivers detail retrieval that it suggests flirts with reference-class status.
Then there’s the Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS). This mouthfiul, found in DCA’s top-tier models, tames treble and eliminates those pesky standing waves that often lead to harsh highs. What you’re left with is a refined, airy treble that remains engaging but never fatiguing.
The Noire X isn’t just about the sound though. Its black-on-black aesthetic is equal parts mysterious and elegant. Gorilla Glass 3 ear cups provide a hard-wearing, high-gloss finish that resists scratches while looking sharp. The self-tensioning headband adapts to the wearer, distributing pressure evenly to avoid discomfort.
Comfort is further enhanced by new memory foam ear pads, wrapped in high-grade synthetic leather, with Alcantara contact surfaces. These pads should stay cool and dry, even during long listening sessions – and they’re replaceable and backward compatible with previous AEON models.
The Noire X will play nicely with anything from portable digital audio players to high-end desktop headphone amps. The included cable offers both 6.3mm and 3.5mm connectors, and for the balanced audio crowd, there are 4.4mm and 4-pin XLR options too. Audiophiles seeking even more flexibility can upgrade to DCA’s premium VIVO cables, available in a range of lengths and terminations.
The Dan Clark Audio Noire X is available now in the UK through selected retailers, priced at £1,000. The headphones come with a fold-flat travel case.
Brooklyn-based manufacturer Grado Labs has released a fourth addition to its acclaimed Signature headphone line. The Signature S550 arrives with an emphasis on musical warmth and long-session comfort, wrapped in distinctive Grado style. At the heart of the new Signature S550 is a 50mm dynamic driver, known internally as the S2. Rather than introducing an…
Mother’s Day is the perfect time to spoil the most important lady in your life – and if you’re looking for a gift that feels extra special, you’ve come to the right place. Whether she loves indulgent spa days, fine champagne, stylish accessories, or cutting-edge tech, we’ve found the very best thoughtful, luxurious gifts she’ll…
Sony has begun shipping the WF-1000XM6, the latest generation of its flagship true wireless noise-cancelling earbuds. Evolutionary rather than revolutionary, the new model builds on a lineage that has become closely associated with premium design, advanced noise reduction and a focus on sound quality, shaped by professional studio expertise. A direct successor to the WF-1000XM5,…
The Luxe Review 
Dressed in black and built to impress, Dan Clark Audio’s Noire X closed-back planar magnetic headphones artfully balance premium sound and craftsmanship with price-conscious sensibility – given they feature much of the engineering found in the brand’s £4,100 flagship models, the closed-back Stealth and open-back Expanse.
For those not overly familiar with Dan Clark Audio, the company is based in San Diego, and has carved a name for itself with a no-nonsense approach to headphone design, holding six patents and cultivating a global following among serious music lovers.
The Noire X have been designed to provide an unusually wide and open soundstage, all while offering the practical closed-back benefits of reduced sound leakage and improved noise isolation.
Closed-back headphones with an open-back soul
At the heart of the Noire X is an upgraded Aeon planar magnetic driver. Unlike traditional dynamic drivers that push a rigid cone back and forth, planar drivers use an ultra-thin membrane suspended in a magnetic field. This approach typically offers faster response times, lower distortion, and far better accuracy.
In the Noire X, the 62x34mm diaphragm has been completely re-engineered for more rigidity and better consistency between units.
But the innovation doesn’t stop there. DCA’s signature V-Planar knurling, a microscopic pattern pressed into the diaphragm, smoothes frequency response across the spectrum and delivers detail retrieval that it suggests flirts with reference-class status.
Then there’s the Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS). This mouthfiul, found in DCA’s top-tier models, tames treble and eliminates those pesky standing waves that often lead to harsh highs. What you’re left with is a refined, airy treble that remains engaging but never fatiguing.
The Noire X isn’t just about the sound though. Its black-on-black aesthetic is equal parts mysterious and elegant. Gorilla Glass 3 ear cups provide a hard-wearing, high-gloss finish that resists scratches while looking sharp. The self-tensioning headband adapts to the wearer, distributing pressure evenly to avoid discomfort.
Comfort is further enhanced by new memory foam ear pads, wrapped in high-grade synthetic leather, with Alcantara contact surfaces. These pads should stay cool and dry, even during long listening sessions – and they’re replaceable and backward compatible with previous AEON models.
The Noire X will play nicely with anything from portable digital audio players to high-end desktop headphone amps. The included cable offers both 6.3mm and 3.5mm connectors, and for the balanced audio crowd, there are 4.4mm and 4-pin XLR options too. Audiophiles seeking even more flexibility can upgrade to DCA’s premium VIVO cables, available in a range of lengths and terminations.
The Dan Clark Audio Noire X is available now in the UK through selected retailers, priced at £1,000. The headphones come with a fold-flat travel case.
Grado Signature S550 open-back headphones boast big drivers and Brazilian Walnut housing
Brooklyn-based manufacturer Grado Labs has released a fourth addition to its acclaimed Signature headphone line. The Signature S550 arrives with an emphasis on musical warmth and long-session comfort, wrapped in distinctive Grado style. At the heart of the new Signature S550 is a 50mm dynamic driver, known internally as the S2. Rather than introducing an…
57 of the best luxury gift ideas for Mother’s Day 2026
Mother’s Day is the perfect time to spoil the most important lady in your life – and if you’re looking for a gift that feels extra special, you’ve come to the right place. Whether she loves indulgent spa days, fine champagne, stylish accessories, or cutting-edge tech, we’ve found the very best thoughtful, luxurious gifts she’ll…
Enhanced noise cancelling and fresh design distinguish studio-tuned Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds
Sony has begun shipping the WF-1000XM6, the latest generation of its flagship true wireless noise-cancelling earbuds. Evolutionary rather than revolutionary, the new model builds on a lineage that has become closely associated with premium design, advanced noise reduction and a focus on sound quality, shaped by professional studio expertise. A direct successor to the WF-1000XM5,…
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