Short answer: the Dan Clark Audio Noire X. It ranks #8 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $1,099.99; the Audeze LCD-XC ranks #16, rated 4.3/5, and costs $1,299, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
Why pick the Dan Clark Audio Noire X: A preference score of 92 with only 1.3 dB of deviation from target keeps the response smooth, and bass sits slightly above target, with sub-bass 0.6 dB and 60 to 200 Hz 1.2 dB over. The tradeoff: Treble is uneven, with the 6 to 10 kHz band about 2.5 dB low and a 3.9 dB dip near 6.4 kHz, followed by a 4.2 dB peak near 11.9 kHz.
What the Audeze LCD-XC does well: A preference score of 89 and a 1.9 dB deviation show an overall balance that follows the Harman target closely with a neutral tilt. The catch: Bass is clearly recessed, about 6 dB light in the sub-bass and about 2 dB light from 60 to 200 Hz, so kick drums and bass guitar lack weight.
Buy the Dan Clark Audio Noire X. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audeze LCD-XC and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dan Clark Audio Noire X | Audeze LCD-XC | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099.99 | $1,299.00 |
| Ranked | #8 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #16 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 92 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 89 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.33 dB standard deviation | 1.90 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-5.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 13 ohms | 20 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 100 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (403 g) | 1.5 lbs (677 g) |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Frequency Response | - | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Dan Clark Audio Noire X:
- Dan Clark Audio Noire X vs HIFIMAN HE600
- Dan Clark Audio Noire X vs HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth
- Audeze LCD-XC vs HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth
- Audeze LCD-XC vs Aune AR9000
- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 820
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Dan Clark Audio Noire X: $1,099.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 92 with only 1.3 dB of deviation from target keeps the response smooth, and bass sits slightly above target, with sub-bass 0.6 dB and 60 to 200 Hz 1.2 dB over. That gives kick drums and bass lines a full, warm foundation. Impedance of 13 ohms and sensitivity of 90 dB/mW work from a headphone amp, and the closed back isolates from surroundings.
Cons: Treble is uneven, with the 6 to 10 kHz band about 2.5 dB low and a 3.9 dB dip near 6.4 kHz, followed by a 4.2 dB peak near 11.9 kHz. That can make cymbals sound slightly dull then suddenly airy. The 403 g weight is heavy, and the high price is difficult to justify next to the HIFIMAN Arya Organic.
Full Dan Clark Audio Noire X review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.33 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 92 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 13 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (403 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -0.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 116 Hz | -1.8 dB | 1.71 |
| Peak | 5,274 Hz | +3.7 dB | 0.76 |
| Peak | 4,808 Hz | -6.3 dB | 3.05 |
| Peak | 2,137 Hz | -3.1 dB | 3.41 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 611 Hz | +1.4 dB | 2.67 |
| Peak | 294 Hz | -0.6 dB | 1.94 |
| Peak | 62 Hz | +0.6 dB | 2.74 |
| Peak | 6,601 Hz | +1.7 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audeze LCD-XC: $1,299.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 89 and a 1.9 dB deviation show an overall balance that follows the Harman target closely with a neutral tilt. Upper mids are within half a dB of target, so voices sit naturally in the mix. The closed-back planar design isolates better than most high-end headphones and runs from a phone or laptop at 20 ohms and 100 dB/mW sensitivity.
Cons: Bass is clearly recessed, about 6 dB light in the sub-bass and about 2 dB light from 60 to 200 Hz, so kick drums and bass guitar lack weight. An 8.5 dB dip near 9.3 kHz and a 3 dB shortfall through the treble also soften cymbals and sibilance. At 677 g it is a heavy headphone, and it is rated below the HIFIMAN Arya Organic and Dan Clark Audio Noire X.
Full Audeze LCD-XC review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.90 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 89 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 20 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-5.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (677 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +7.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,601 Hz | -2.7 dB | 1.10 |
| Peak | 4,062 Hz | +4.4 dB | 3.88 |
| Peak | 60 Hz | -4.2 dB | 0.64 |
| Peak | 416 Hz | +1.8 dB | 3.05 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -7.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,737 Hz | -3.4 dB | 5.99 |
| Peak | 4,665 Hz | +0.6 dB | 5.98 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +5.0 dB | 1.36 |
| Peak | 228 Hz | -0.3 dB | 3.02 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons