Over-Ear
Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo
84Great
$1,450
Full review dataDan Clark Audio Noire Xo vs HiFiMAN HE 1000se: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000se 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 1000se - Outstanding overall at around $1699.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
88Outstanding
$1,700
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 1000se
Sound9.5
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo | HiFiMAN HE 1000se |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1,450 | $1,700 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2025 | 2018 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | planar |
| Driver size | 62 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 1 | - |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz | 8 Hz - 65 kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 13 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB/mW | 96 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Voice assistant | No | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 408 g | 440 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 1000se
The HiFiMAN HE1000se is a high-end planar magnetic headphone that delivers exceptional detail retrieval and a spacious, airy soundstage. Its bright-neutral tuning offers strong bass and treble extension, though the prominent treble can become harsh with lower-quality recordings. While its 35-ohm impedance and 96 dB sensitivity make it moderately easy to drive, it still benefits from quality amplification to perform at its best.
- Pro:Outstanding resolution and micro-detail clarity
- Pro:Wide, airy soundstage with excellent instrument separation
- Pro:Strong extension at both frequency extremes
- Con:Bright, peaky treble can fatigue on poorly mastered tracks
- Con:Requires a decent amp despite moderate sensitivity
- Con:Midrange lacks warmth and body for some tastes
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.