Over-Ear
Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo
84Great
$1,450
Full review dataDan Clark Audio Noire Xo vs Sennheiser HD 800s: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 800s comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sennheiser HD 800s - Outstanding overall at around $1874.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 800s
88Outstanding
$1,870
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
Sennheiser HD 800s
Sound9.5
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo | Sennheiser HD 800s |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1,450 | $1,870 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2025 | 2016 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | dynamic |
| Driver size | 62 mm | 56 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz | 4 Hz - 51 kHz |
| Impedance | 13 Ω | 300 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB/mW | 101.64 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | - | 102 |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Voice assistant | No | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 408 g | 330 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | 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
Sennheiser HD 800s
The Sennheiser HD 800 S is a premium open-back headphone aimed at audiophiles, delivering a remarkably wide soundstage and a neutral, reference-style tuning that excels at detail retrieval. Its high impedance and sensitivity mean it truly shines with a quality dedicated amplifier, while the included balanced cable adds flexibility for high-end setups. However, its open design leaks sound significantly, and its pricing and lack of bass punch make it a niche choice for serious listeners rather than casual users.
- Pro:Exceptional soundstage width and imaging
- Pro:Detailed, neutral, and articulate sound signature
- Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- Con:Requires a powerful amplifier to perform at its best
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
- Con:Expensive for what it offers
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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