Dan Clark Audio Introduces Noire XO Open-Back Planar Headphones

Following the launch of the closed-back Noire X in late 2024, the San Diego-based headphone maker has reimagined its popular design with an open-back acoustic architecture tailored for listeners who prioritise spatial realism and natural tonality.

Building on the same platform as the Noire X, the Noire XO features a re-engineered acoustic design tailored to the unique demands of an open-back architecture. It sits comfortably between DCA’s Aeon 2 Open and Expanse models, delivering a compelling balance of advanced technology, musical refinement, and ergonomic design.

Although it may seem like a simple matter of removing the sealed back, Dan Clark Audio says the transition from closed to open required significant tuning and acoustic redesign. The different behaviour of open-back headphones—especially in bass response and spatial presentation—meant every element had to be reconsidered to preserve the brand’s signature balance and musicality. According to the company, the result is a headphone that expands the soundstage, improves imaging, and introduces a lighter, more breathable treble presentation that some listeners may find more engaging, particularly in quiet, dedicated listening spaces.

Like its closed-back sibling, the XO incorporates Dan Clark Audio’s proprietary Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS). Previously reserved for flagship models like the Stealth and Expanse, AMTS is designed to eliminate high-frequency standing waves—those subtle but fatiguing distortions that can give headphones a harsh or artificial treble edge. By addressing these artefacts, the XO aims to deliver smooth, airy highs that retain clarity without sounding forced or exaggerated.

Powering the experience is DCA’s enhanced 62x34mm planar magnetic driver, developed for the Noire platform. This new diaphragm is stiffer and more precise than earlier designs, which, according to the company, enables better unit consistency, lower distortion, and improved responsiveness. Combined with DCA’s V-Planar knurling technology, the XO is said to produce a smooth and extended frequency response with high levels of detail retrieval across the spectrum.

The tuning is also designed to track the widely regarded Harman Curve, a frequency response target based on listener preference research. While achieving this profile can be particularly challenging in open-back designs—where bass naturally rolls off—DCA claims the Noire XO delivers satisfying low-frequency weight while preserving tonal balance through the mids and highs. If accurate, it would mark an impressive achievement for a headphone at this price point.

Despite the XO’s focus on high-end sound, comfort, and usability haven’t been overlooked. Weighing in at 408 grams, the XO sits in what we’d call a reasonable range for planar magnetic designs—neither featherweight nor cumbersome. It features a self-tensioning headband to evenly distribute pressure across the listener’s head, avoiding fatigue during extended sessions. The newly designed memory foam ear pads, finished in synthetic leather and Alcantara, aim to reduce heat build-up and improve long-term wearability. The headphones also fold flat for transport, and their black-on-black finish keeps things stylishly understated.

As for comparisons, the closed-back Noire X is widely regarded as a strong performer in its class, known for combining effective passive isolation with wide sound staging and refined dynamics. It remains well-suited to shared or noisy environments where leakage is a concern. The open-back XO, meanwhile, is claimed to take things further in terms of spatial presentation—delivering deeper imaging, greater nuance, and a more expansive sense of space. While we’ve yet to evaluate the XO first-hand, these design goals suggest it could appeal strongly to those seeking a more revealing, room-like experience.

The Dan Clark Audio Noire XO is available now via selected UK retailers and is priced at £1,299. Each pair includes a detachable cable (with a choice of 4.4mm balanced, 4-pin XLR, or 6.35/3.5mm connectors), a dedicated carry case, microfibre cloth, and a certificate of authenticity. Pricing and availability for additional regions are expected to be confirmed shortly.

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