Over-Ear
Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo
80Outstanding
$1,300
Full review dataDan Clark Audio Noire Xo vs HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled - Outstanding overall at around $1199.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
84Outstanding
$1,200
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled leads on 3 of 4 measures.
- Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo
- HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
HearWiki score
80
84
Sound
8.9
9.4
Value
8.4
8.0
Price (USD)
$1,300
$1,200
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo (2025) against HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled (2024). These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.
- Noire Xo20251 yr newer
- Arya Unveiled2024
Specifications
Noire XoArya Unveiled
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $1,300
- $1,200
- HearWiki score
- 80
- 84
- Released
- 2025
- 2024
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 62 mm planar magnetic
- planar magnetic
- Driver type
- planar
- planar
- Driver size
- 62 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- -
- 8 Hz - 65 kHz
- Impedance
- 13 Ω
- 27 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 90 dB/mW
- 94 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Controls
- buttons
- -
- Voice assistant
- No
- -
- Weight
- 1542 g
- 413 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- -
- Connector
- 4.4 mm balanced
- 6.35 mm
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- Yes
- Model code
- XNXO
- -
What reviewers said
Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo
The Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo is a premium open-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers a balanced, natural sound with impressive detail and a wide, layered soundstage. Its comfortable design and 13-ohm impedance make it easy to drive, though it truly shines with a quality amplifier. While it lacks ANC and wireless features, its wired, balanced 4.4mm connection caters to audiophiles seeking a high-fidelity, reference-style listening experience. Its hefty 1542g weight and $1299 price point are notable considerations for potential buyers.
- Pro:Excellent planar magnetic clarity and detail
- Pro:Wide, layered soundstage with precise imaging
- Pro:Comfortable fit suitable for long sessions
- Con:Heavy weight may cause fatigue over extended use
- Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless options
- Con:Price is high, especially without upgraded accessories
HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
The HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled is a high-end open-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers exceptional detail, tonal accuracy, and a balanced soundstage, making it a strong contender for audiophiles. Its grill-less design reduces reflections for cleaner audio, and it offers easy drivability for its class, though the exposed drivers require careful handling. With a neutral-to-warm tuning and broad frequency extension, it provides a compelling blend of technical performance and musicality.
- Pro:Excellent detail retrieval and tonal accuracy
- Pro:Spacious and well-defined imaging
- Pro:Comfortable for extended listening sessions
- Con:Exposed driver design requires careful handling
- Con:Limited connectivity options out of the box
- Con:Ear-cup material may not appeal to everyone
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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