Noire X

Really enjoyed my Noire Xs but then I got my he1000 stealth at a great price and sold the Xs. I just didn't need a closed back so I had to make the choice. If I needed the isolation, and could only keep one headphone, they would have been my choice. Superb balance in sound and super comfy!

I'll write you a long reply, hopefully you read it all :) If you haven't considered it, maybe look into the Sony MDR-Z1R. I've been absolutely enamored by them. I could probably write several paragraphs about just how odd they are but also how tremendously good and fun they are. They do things I've never heard any other headphone do. Bizarrely expansive and layered soundstage, great instrument separation (so easy to pick out bass guitar!), layered, deep and impactful bass. The bass, the layering, it's so unique. You get good extension in the sub-bass, but it remains distinct from the mid-bass, and mid bass doesn't bleed over into the mids. Mids are a tad recessed, but only slightly, and the treble has good energy and sparkle. Resolution wise, they're a cut above the Meze 109s for example. For reference, on the higher-end side of things I've owned Focal Clears, and still own the HD800S, LCD-X, and Meze 109 Pros (they're my wife's now). I recently wanted a closed back headphone with a fun sound signature the Z1Rs absolutely accomplish that. I actually haven't reached for anything else in weeks. The Sennheisers both feel like they're missing so much low-end by contrast, it's fucking with my brain and I don't consider myself a basshead. Besides the sound, they're built very well and can easily be worn all day. The sheepskin pads are plush, deep, and feel great. The one letdown is the headband is pleather, most people get a fabric cover to put over it to keep it from cracking. Otherwise, it uses titanium and wood, and feels super premium in the hand. The box is also nuts, if that matters at all to you. I wanted to up the "fun" even more and recently went from a JDS Labs Atom 2 stack to a Nitsch Pietus Maximus + Mesh DAC and oh boy, the Z1Rs got even better. It's made the bass a little thicker, the mids seem a bit more forward and lush, and treble sparkle is slightly reduced which maybe reduces some fatigue there. If I had to give a brief critique to what you've been considering: Focals; I've owned the Clears and auditioned the Stelias. Gosh, for the money, Focal needs to do more to not make them feel so cheap. They creak a lot. The Stelias did sound really good though. Kind of a big let down for the money. I don't know how to the MGs compared to the OG Clears, but I sold them because the treble was too fatiguing for me and I couldn't move my head without the creaking driving me nuts. As for Hifiman, I won't recommend them until they get their QC issues under control, they seem so grossly over represented when it comes to issues, so in spite of otherwise great technical performance, its a risk I just won't take. The Audeze LCD-X are great. Their bass can be tremendous with EQ (rattle your brain), but I never found the mids or highs to be all that impressive. They were/are best suited for Hans Zimmer or EDM tracks, everything else, meh. I also can't wear them for more than an hour or two before my neck hurts though. As for the Dan Clarks, I haven't tried the E3, but have tried the Noire X. Very impressive neutral tuning and good soundstage for a closed back, but definitely very reference oriented/more analytical. I had comfort issues with them as well, kind of made a pressure point under my ear near my jaw.

I'd be inclined to agree. They kind of have a wow-factor as far as closed backs go. I might have picked them over my Z1Rs if it didn't create a kind of comfort hotspot for me under my ear. They're not just good closed backs, they're a honestly good contender at the $1k pricepoint and feel like a very tangible step up in terms of clarity, instrument separation, and solid bass over a lot of the other headphones I've owned and demo'd under $1k.

In terms of detail retrieval they're pretty similar. You aren't going to miss anything with either, they're both extremely resolving. Sound stage / staging is very good on both, kind of surprising for closed-backs. The shapes of the stage between both are considerably different though. The Noire X has kind of a medium depth and width, maybe a bit better than my memory of my 109 Pros or LCD-X, but still shy quite of my HD800s. The Z1Rs have a kind of expansive and confusing stage, like nothing I've heard before. They're so hard to describe. In terms of presentation they're polar opposites as well. I'd classify the Noire X as neutral, very Harman target tuned, almost as textbook as it gets. The Z1Rs are anything but. They're tuned to some vision Sony had/has and I don't know how I'd describe it, these things are just odd. They're fun to listen to, though most would classify them into a love it or hate it bucket, without much in between. It's kind of odd, I've sort of noticed that more of the Japanese oriented productions (JPop, JRock, etc.) I've listened to sound like a match made in heaven for the Z1Rs. Maybe it's some subconscious bias/association happening. I'd warn that sometimes certain tracks kind of accentuate an almost V shaped presentation, where mids can at times seem somewhat distant or recessed. It's not like all the time though, which lead to believe they were tuned with a certain production style in mind. Utterly confusing. In terms of build quality the Noire X felt pretty good besides the stupid gorilla glass finger print magnet. The Z1Rs similarly have just one annoying build quality trait in the genuine leather (cheap shit) headband, but most put a strap around it. In terms of overall feel in the hand and on head though, the Z1R still feel more premium and well built, they're really special in that way, as they should be for this kind of money. At the end of the day, the comfort was a big issue for me, but this is going to vary a lot person to person. After having to move on from my LCD-X for the same reason I needed to get something I could listen to all day without any pain. The Z1Rs are supremely comfortable and I kind of fell in love with their unique sound signature. They form an excellent complement to my HD800s.

Really big fan of these actually. Almost picked up a pair.  I unfortunately have the wrong size head for them though, it produced a lot of pressure under my ear near my jaw. 

First let me start, I never thought a closed back could sound as good as an open back headphone. The Aeon 2 Closed proved me wrong with an incredibly detailed headphone that sounded remarkably wide despite not being open, but it had some wonkiness in the treble, while being very detailed it suffered from weird peakiness and dips leading some things like clapping and the crash of cymbals sounding not fully natural, as well as harshness on some tracks, the included filters helped but they also somewhat muffled the detail I fell in love with. None of these downsides are true for their successor the Noire X, the treble is much improved and incredibly smooth leading to a very honest presentation that I find addicting. The bass response is also much improved leading to some of the most impressive bass I’ve yet listened to out of a headphone, incredibly textured and fast without muddying the pristine mids. I also find them incredibly comfortable, easy to wear all day and lose myself in music. Like my own little private stage that can come with me anywhere without outside noise interrupting me. I love these guys.

They still wow me even after a month of owning for a month, lovely headphone.

The self adjusting headband is such a nice feature, I truly can just plop these on my head on not fiddle with it.

My end game is the Noire X, basically does everything I want out of a headphone while being portable. The work really well for gaming and music in my experience, and just by moving my mouse I can tell the imaging on these phones is dead on accurate so very suitable for FPS gameplay.

Yeah it’s a closed back DCA headphone. It’s a great headphone and not just for a closed back. Destroyed my bias towards open backs. Also folds up nicely into a small hard case you can just toss in a bag.

Noire X, insane comfort between the self adjusting strap and some of the most plush pads I’ve ever felt on a headphone. Your ears might get a little warm after a while though since it is a closed back.

People say the E3 only sounds a bit wider than the X and are really similar in detail and tuning. Oddly enough the XO only sounds a bit wider than the X and roughly same detail and tuning. I can attest that the X is an excellent headphone the only reason I can see to get the XO is the bass isn’t seal dependent and you can hear the going ons inside your home.

My favorite is the Noire X but since this is budget. Some great contenders for the list if you mind spending a bit more are the HD 58x or 6XX, the FiiO FT1 original and Pro, and the AKG K371. All amazing headphones that should last you years.

Interesting. My end-game choices were the Noire X (closed) and the Campfire Audio Aras. I'm big on American-made, too, so we resonate on that. What do you like about the Moon Rovers?

AKG K361: incredible sound with extensive bass stage, might get treble fatiguing after a while. AKG K371: similar to the above, when those become too bright I grab these which in comparison are a bit bass heavy but smoother treble and with Dekoni Choice Suede pads are very comfortable. Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 ohm: the smoothest of them all, not as impressive but subtly incredible and great for relaxing and longer sessions. Very natural and elegant. I had them modded and now they have a short detachable cable with a mic. DCA Noire X: very strange tuning, most of the time, like 80% I don't like them and right when I'm about to sell them, I give them a chance. I like them temporarily quite a bit. I don't really know why this happens, but sometimes they do open up for me, but that joy doesn't last. When I like them, it's the bass soundstage depth, and what I dislike is the recessed range from the mids and up. Definitely not the best for complex music like classical or soundtracks, or TV. But at times they are great. Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X LE: this is nothing at all like the original, only in name and appearance; comes with detachable cable (doesn't support mic), the sound is totally different, very forward V shape, impressive when you have that high energy and excitement, otherwise can get too intense. Will get sibilant and the bass is heavier. I used to love it for a long time, not so much anymore. Don't like: Fiio FT1: my least favorite despite the hype. They do have a very impressive deep bass, but that's it; they totally disregard the treble, even the mids, totally recessed in the upper range, might appeal bass-lovers. Focal Azurys: very good dynamics but totally flat soundstage, zero depth to the sound. Disappointing. Focal Elegia: strange tuning, but the culprit is the way the bass reverbs, it ruins the whole thing. Not worth it. Audiotechnica ATH M50x: similar issue with the reverb as the Elegia, plus horrifying painful clamp on the head. They have no redeeming quality. Sennheiser HD25: these are on-ear, totally unnecessary, painful clamp, tiny congested sound. I think DJ's like it for work, otherwise nothing good about them. Sennheiser HD569: the worst cheap sound I have ever heard in my life. Sennheiser hd620s: these are interesting; they don't sound necessarily bad by themselves, but the tuning is mid-centric and might take a few days or longer to adjust to their tuning, then you might really like them. They sound very similar to the Azurys in the good technical performance, but the HD620s actually have good soundstage, however unfortunately, the clamp of the headband is a torture. Conclusion: If someone with DIY skills dares, I suggest they build a headphone with a tuning between the K361 and K371, right in the middle, and actual durable materials that don't die in a year (mine did, I re-purchased them, get the extended insurance!), and comfortable pads. This would be my end-game forever ❤️

I have the noire x for 6 months now and I can't get used to it. Sometimes I get the "brain burn in" over time, but it's not happening here, and I don't like how the darker tuning with too relaxed treble, and can't hear the "soundstage" everyone else does in reviews. Disappointingly I might end up selling it soon. Same with the hd800s but for entirely different reasons, although at first its crazy wide soundstage wowed me, it's too scattered and distant. Plus too bright and gritty in the mids.  In comparison I find the Edition XS superior in every way. For closed back the AKG K371 are very good and even my PX7 S2e is still very solid and satisfying. I'm eyeing the AKG N9 Hybrid

same, watched all the video i can watch on youtube, picked up a used pair for 100$USD, never be happier. my background, have multiple high end headphones....(zmf, hifiman organic, DCA norie X, mest ii etc) the comfort of wireless is just unbeatable. 95% of time in front of pc, is just youtube video or gaming or web anyway. ANC is weaker (i had the xm5 and bose 700) but doesnt matter imo, unless you travel a lot which indeed values more. I paired it with BTD700 for best performance i assume since both are from same company? (i had a cheap aptx dongle before, it always cuts off my fiio wireless tws). sound quality is like 70% of my DCA, lose bass, less resolution, less everything, do i care? nop. the freedom of lightweight and wireless, less bulky, is all part of the exprience, i no longer have to be careful when i stand up so i dont pull my cord on my arm rest. it is indeed good enough. finally bluetooth audio is great. one big thing, you dont notice cos you havent used any decent headphone before, get a better earpads. unfortunately, all the stock M4 pads are trash (the factory ones), fake thin leather and shallow, the worst of the worst. after market one require you know how to adapt them tho, since the mounting here isnt the universal one(i just 3D print one), day and night diff.

man I love my noire X closed, I’m so happy you like the open ones. I’m still blown away by them every day.