Dan Clark Audio Noire X vs HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth

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 HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth ranks #30, rated 4.2/5, at $949, $150.99 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.

What the Dan Clark Audio Noire X does well: 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 HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth does well: Planar magnetic drivers deliver a preference score of 87 with bass from 60 to 200 Hz about 1 dB above target and sub-bass only about 2 dB light, so low end has solid weight and extension. Watch for: The treble is uneven, with an 8 dB dip near 9.4 kHz followed by a 7 dB peak near 11.9 kHz and air above 10 kHz about 5 dB over target.

Buy the Dan Clark Audio Noire X. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $150.99 saving on the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth is not enough to make up the difference.

Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.

Specifications Side By Side

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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
  • AutoEQ results for the Dan Clark Audio Noire X (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Dan Clark Audio Noire X vs HIFIMAN HE600
  • Dan Clark Audio Noire X vs Audeze LCD-XC

HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth: $949.00 Amazon eBay

Pros: Planar magnetic drivers deliver a preference score of 87 with bass from 60 to 200 Hz about 1 dB above target and sub-bass only about 2 dB light, so low end has solid weight and extension. A 32 ohm impedance is easy to drive, although the 93 dB sensitivity still rewards a capable amp. Its rating matches the Sennheiser HD 800 S at a lower price.

Cons: The treble is uneven, with an 8 dB dip near 9.4 kHz followed by a 7 dB peak near 11.9 kHz and air above 10 kHz about 5 dB over target. That gives a sparkly, somewhat bright top end that can sound splashy or sibilant on certain recordings. At 458 g it is heavy for long sessions, and the open back leaks sound.

Full HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth review and specifications →

Back	Open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.10 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Planar magnetic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	87 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	32 ohms
Sensitivity	93 dB
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.0 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	+0.04 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	1 lbs (458 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -5.3 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	+5.7 dB	0.70
Peak	1,887 Hz	+5.8 dB	2.36
Peak	74 Hz	-2.9 dB	0.36
Peak	2,903 Hz	-4.1 dB	3.38
Peak	5,261 Hz	-2.4 dB	4.29
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-5.5 dB	0.70
Peak	994 Hz	-1.1 dB	2.91
Peak	646 Hz	+0.7 dB	2.43
Peak	244 Hz	-0.4 dB	1.71
Peak	135 Hz	+0.3 dB	1.72

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth (oratory1990 measurement)
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