The Noire X from Dan Clark Audio is a sealed over-ear model built around a planar magnetic driver. It follows the AEON 2 Noire as the company's closed model in a black-on-black design, and its list price is USD 1,099.99. An open-back sibling, the Noire XO, was introduced later.
Key specs that matter
Dan Clark Audio fits an upgraded, more rigid version of the AEON planar magnetic unit, with a diaphragm of 62 x 34 mm. Impedance is 13 ohm and efficiency is 94 dB per mW. The headphone weighs 385 g. Termination choices are broad at the base price, with DCA Dummer cables in 6.3 mm and 3.5 mm combo, 4-pin XLR and 4.4 mm versions.
Engineering and use context
According to Dan Clark Audio, the stiffer driver brings better unit-to-unit consistency, lower distortion and a smoother frequency response than the earlier AEON design. It works together with the company's Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System, known as AMTS, which uses acoustic metamaterial structures to shape the response inside the cup instead of relying only on damping. The outer cups are finished with Gorilla Glass 3. A self-tensioning headband distributes clamping pressure across the head without manual size adjustment, and it carries stitched detailing. The earpads were redesigned and use Alcantara synthetic suede on the contact surface to limit heat and moisture build-up during long sessions, and they remain compatible with the AEON 2 Noire, AEON RT and AEON 2. Optional VIVO cables are available as an upgrade. As a closed design, the Noire X keeps sound leakage low in both directions, which suits it for listening in shared spaces or during recording and monitoring work.
Pairing
The low impedance makes the Noire X a low-voltage, higher-current load, so it pairs best with a headphone amplifier that has a low output impedance and holds its output into low-impedance loads. Since balanced cables are included, the choice between a single-ended desktop amplifier, a balanced desktop unit or a portable player with a 4.4 mm socket needs no additional cable purchase. Swapping between these cables takes seconds, so one headphone can move between a home system and a portable rig, and the high efficiency means even compact DAC-amplifiers can drive it to useful levels.
Alternatives
The Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Noire is the earlier sealed planar headphone of the brand, with a folding frame and a Harman-aligned tuning.