Will disagree with anyone that the DCA E3 can't compete with any open headphone for space and soundstage. But for me it doesn't meet the requirements that you listed. It's almost a stock Harman Curve headphone and I don't usually think of that curve as presenting "excitement" in music. For that definition I would look at Audeze or Meze for planar/hybrid or Focal for a dynamic headphone.
They are a bit different as the E3 is closed and the XO is an open headphone. If you don't need a closed headphone, get the XO. If you do and If fidelity to the Harman Curve and a large soundstage are critical to you, get the E3. I have the Noire 2 (not the X) and I really like it as a slightly more fun sound than the E3. But if I want reference sound in a closed headphone I go to the E3.
I'm going to say no based on the following selection of headphones that I own: Dynamic: Verite Open, Focal Elegia, Beyerdynamic T5/3rd generation and HD650, Planar: DCA E3, DCA Noire, Hifiman HE1000 Stealth, Audeze LCD-2f. IEMs: FiiO FH7s, Westone Mach 40; earbuds: Galaxy Buds Pro 2, Galaxy Buds Pro 3, Jabra Elite Active 8, Sennheiser True Momentum 4, Bose QC II, Bose QC Ultra and ANC headphones Bose NC700, Bose QC Ultra, Sony XM5 and B&W Px8.
Think you get a different experience as you start to move up the price point for headphones. Not a better experience. If you have the HD650, the next headphone that would make sense would either be a planar and if you need a closed headphone the open box DCA E3 (\~$1700 open box) would be my choice. Otherwise if you want an open planar and use EQ consider the Arya Organic, HE1000SE, or the LCD-X or 3.
I've tested all of these and have similar conclusions. The E3 absolutely floored me. It's my new "white whale" headphone that I hope to be able to afford one day. Utopia and HEKSE are also excellent. I didn't have any issues with the Arya organic's treble but I would still EQ them to make them more in line with my preferences.
I just wrote this comment about a week ago on another post:
Off the top of my head, the best headphones I've heard are:
1. Stax x9000
2. Hifiman Shangri-la Sr
(After these 2, it's in no particular order)
3. Focal Utopia
4. LCD-5
5. DCA E3 (I prefer it over the stealth and expanse, my current dream headphone.)
Other favorites: ZMF Atrium Open, Hifiman HEKSE (not a fan of the Susvara line), RAAL Magna (prefer over Immanis), Austrian Audio Composer
I've been to Axpona 4 times so I've tested a lot. Still have not tried the HE-1 though.
If I was going to pick up a DCA headphone, it would be either the Noire X or Stealth.
I compared the Noire X recently to the E3 and I MUCH preferred the Noire X: more comfortable and a more pleasing expression to me.
It’s an excellent choice. Enjoy!
I sank a lot of money into a DCA E3 (sold a STAX 007mk2 setup to get it!), only to get the upgrade bug again and now I'm liking the much cheaper Heddphone D1 more than the E3. So don't assume that DCA is magical, either.
My E3’s feel much more substantial and well built compared to my other headphones. I have no concerns about my E3’s breaking during anything normal. They would have to be run over or thrown from a building to break I feel like.
Interesting question. I own roughly 17 headphones from low to high end. It’s maybe an obsessive hobby for me that turned into a collecting endeavor. I’ve owned the older DCA Noire, the DCA E3, Audeze LCD2, HiFiman Arya V2 and HE1000V2, ZMF Atrium and Aeolus, Beyerdynamic T1 and DT1990 and DT880, Meze 99 Classic, both Aune AR5000 and SR7000, Sennheiser 6xx, and some bass cannons like the Modhouse Argon and Harmonicdyne Eris. And a bunch of others that don’t really meaningfully stand out.
I tend to notice a disparity between my “best” headphones and the ones I listen to the most. The DCAs and HiFimans are objectively excellent, but I rarely pick them up. For me, personally, I’m in love with a rich, full-bodied and impactful sound. The ZMF Aeolus on an OTL Tube amp takes the win for me every time. It just makes every single song sound so enjoyable. It is soulful and “weighty”. Many of my headphones are technically better in many categories, but if enjoyment is the most important factor then the ZMF Aeolus hits the mark every time. It is just so well rounded and engaging with every type of music.
Top Headphones (Over / On Ear) on Reddit
1
Sennheiser
HD 560S
79% positive of 619 users
Budget gaming king with clear sound, but tight fit.
Acceptable-Win-3669
