Over-Ear
Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo
84Great
$1450
Full review dataDan Clark Audio Noire Xo vs HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2 - Outstanding overall at around $2865.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2
88Outstanding
$2865
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo
Sound8.5
Value7.0
HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2
Sound9.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo | HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1450 | $2865 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2025 | 2016 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | planar |
| Driver size | 62 mm | 131.15 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 8Hz-65kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Neutral |
| Impedance | 13 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB/mW | 90 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Voice assistant | none | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 408 g | 420 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | - |
| Balanced connection | Yes | Yes |
What reviewers said
Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo
The Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo is a premium open-back planar headphone that delivers a balanced, natural sound with impressive clarity and a wide, immersive soundstage. Its comfortable build and amplifier-friendly design make it a strong choice for high-fidelity listening, though it may require a capable amp to fully shine and comes at a steep price.
- Pro:Wide, layered soundstage with precise imaging
- Pro:Comfortable fit and solid build quality
- Pro:Smooth, natural tuning that's easy to enjoy
- Con:Bass is controlled rather than punchy
- Con:High price without an upgraded cable
- Con:Needs a decent amp for optimal performance
HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2
The HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2 is a premium planar magnetic headphone offering a neutral, reference-grade sound signature with exceptional clarity and detail. Its large 131mm driver delivers a wide, airy soundstage while maintaining precise imaging, making it a strong choice for critical listening. Despite its high price, it earns top-tier marks for tonal accuracy and technical performance, though it requires a capable amplifier to shine.
- Pro:Excellent neutral tonality with accurate timbre
- Pro:Outstanding detail retrieval and resolution
- Pro:Very wide and open soundstage
- Con:High price point limits accessibility
- Con:Low sensitivity (90dB/mW) demands powerful amplification
- Con:Large ear cups may not suit smaller heads
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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