Dan Clark Audio E3 Planar Headphones Review

[@themastroiannis]

fantastic thorough review! just got a pair of these E3 and feel my modest Topping headphone amp is not doing the trick of making them sing... do you (or any of your viewers) have a suggestion for an affordable powerful transparent amp (don't want the E3 presentation to be changed by the amp)? my budget for the amp can't go beyond $500. thanks to anyone for the input...

[@nostgeoffhi-fi]

Anything 800mw -1Watt into 32 ohms (170-189mA current) is enough for portable. Same values for tube amps, but proper current will be more important. For portable I use an XDuoo XD05 Bal2 which is 1.5Watts into 32. Other options are the XDuoo XD05 Pro, iFi Gryphon, Earmen Angel, Questyle CMA18, Woo Audio Wa8, and Woo Audio Tube Mini, Enleum hpa23rm. For tubes: I like the Icon Audio Set HP8 Mk2 Set tube. There is also McIntosh MHA200 OTL, Feliks Audio Elise or Echo, Tor audio tube amps, and Willsenton, Woo Audio WA6, Schiit, Cayin, XDuoo TA26, TA66, Darkvoice, Bottlehead, etc. Anything that can impedance match to or have a native low output impedance of 32 ohms, with above 500mW, and 150-190mA current would work well. At the desk, preferably 3-4Watts+ into 32 ohms (327-500mA current) on solid state. Headamp GSX mini, GSX Mk2, Violectric v380-2, V280, Burson Soloist 3X, Topping A90, Aune S9C Pro, but honestly even lower wattage stuff like the Schiit mjolnir, Fiio K11 r2r, Sparkos Gemini, or Geshelli Erish would be enough if on a budget. With the E3's 90db sensitivity, it is not hard to drive. I've even used it on dongles just for convenience use (THX Onyx).

[@charleskingReal]

Ironically, measurements (from several different sources) of the E3 show a small _increase_ in frequency response relative to Harman around the 100Hz mark, and Dan Clark introduced this on purpose (to provide the warmth and 'dancey'-ness you mention) - you have the same thing in the Stealth. Maybe he should have gone further with this?

[@onepieceatatime]

I found this review to have a slight, and I want to emphasize slight, tilt towards the analytical side. Some viewers might have a preference for reviews that are slightly warmer. However, when amplified properly, this review really reveals all this headphone has to offer.

[@thomasmartin2219]

I'm looking for that amplifier, so if you have any suggestions...

[@gtrguyinaz]

Another great review Tom…. I have had Grado top of the line headphones for 10 years… how would these compare…

[@thomasmartin2219]

Almost certainly, the E3 will have more mid-bass and low bass. However, there are listeners (about 20% IIRC) who prefer a mid-focused sound and Grados excel at this.

[@JagadguruSvamiVegananda]

Nobody in the head-fi community takes Grado seriously. 😬

[@martyn420]

Do you prefer the Meze Liric II or Dan Clark Audio E3?

[@TASmagazine]

Close call. I like the DCA, but I tend to value detail and transparency more than some (many?) listeners. The Liric is probably more appealing on average.

[@khrole]

Which machine in the background is making those beeping noises?

[@hamidrezahabibi8111]

I’ll toss yet another $1K and go for Final D7000🎧

[@JagadguruSvamiVegananda]

That is an INVALID comparison, since one is a closed-back, whilst the other is an open-back design. Since it seems that you prefer open-back designs, you may consider the Mod Head Audio Tungsten.

[@John-jl9de]

FYI, your audio is bad, lots of hi frequency distortion.