Short answer: the Dan Clark Audio Noire X. It ranks #10 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $1,099.99; the HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled ranks #20, rated 4.4/5, and costs $1,119, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for 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. Watch for: 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.
Why pick the HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled: One of the most accurate open-back headphones available, with a preference score of 90 and a standard deviation of only 1.5 dB from the Harman target across 4 hobbyist measurements on squig.link. The catch: Sub-bass sits about 4 dB below target and is down 5.2 dB at 30 Hz, so the deepest synth rumble and organ notes lack physical weight.
Buy the Dan Clark Audio Noire X. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
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.
Amazon $1,099.99 eBay
One of the most accurate open-back headphones available, with a preference score of 90 and a standard deviation of only 1.5 dB from the Harman target across 4 hobbyist measurements on squig.link.
Amazon $1,119.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Dan Clark Audio Noire X | HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099.99 | $1,119.00 |
| Ranked | #10 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #20 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 92 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 90 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.33 dB standard deviation | 1.54 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 13 ohms | 27 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 94 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (403 g) | - |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Frequency Response | - | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Dan Clark Audio Noire X from audioamigo, kuulokenurkka and vsg; the HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled from kuulokenurkka, sai, superreview and vsg, all via squig.link.
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