Over-Ear
Dan Clark Audio Stealth
88Outstanding
$4,500
Full review dataDan Clark Audio Stealth vs HiFiMAN Edition X V1: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Dan Clark Audio Stealth comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Dan Clark Audio Stealth - Outstanding overall at around $4499.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Edition X V1
78Great
$1,800
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Neither pulls ahead overall - they trade wins across the measures.
- Dan Clark Audio Stealth
- HiFiMAN Edition X V1
HearWiki score
88
78
Sound
9.5
8.5
Value
6.0
6.5
Price (USD)
$4,500
$1,800
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
The Dan Clark Audio Stealth is 5 years newer, but it is 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. For 5 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Stealth20215 yr newer
- Edition X V12016
Specifications
StealthEdition X V1
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $4,500
- $1,800
- HearWiki score
- 88
- 78
- Released
- 2021
- 2016
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 76 mm planar magnetic
- 131.2 mm planar magnetic
- Driver type
- planar
- planar
- Driver size
- 76 mm
- 131.2 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 8 Hz - 50 kHz
- Impedance
- 23 Ω
- 25 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 90 dB/mW
- 103 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 415 g
- 399 g
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- -
- Connector
- 4.4 mm balanced
- -
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- Yes
What reviewers said
Dan Clark Audio Stealth
The Dan Clark Audio Stealth is a premium closed-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers a highly refined, natural sound with impressive technical performance. It stands out among closed-back models for its clarity, detail, and smoothness, though it requires a powerful amplifier to reach its full potential, particularly for bass response. Its flagship-level build quality and included accessories further cement its status as a top-tier option.
- Pro:Exceptional clarity and detail retrieval
- Pro:Natural, smooth tonal balance
- Pro:Flagship build quality and accessories
- Con:Very power-hungry; needs a strong amp
- Con:Bass impact may be limited without ample power
- Con:Very high price point
HiFiMAN Edition X V1
The HiFiMAN Edition X V1 is a premium open-back planar magnetic headphone designed for serious home listening, offering a spacious and balanced sound with a slight warmth. Its low 25-ohm impedance makes it easy to drive from portable sources, while its comfortable build and included accessories add to its appeal, though its design is not suited for noisy or on-the-go environments. The headphone delivers a refined, smooth tonal character that suits critical listening sessions in quiet spaces.
- Pro:Easy to drive from portable devices
- Pro:Spacious and balanced soundstage
- Pro:Comfortable for extended listening
- Con:Strong sound leakage
- Con:Poor isolation for noisy environments
- Con:Large and bulky for travel
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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