Dan Clark Audio E3 Review | Amazing Planar Magnetic Closed-Back Headphones

[@vadimkot2354]

Anti-poping processing of voice in this video is horrible, it totally cancels some letters in random moment

[@jamesewanchook2276]

Wow, great review. I use an MM500 for mixing straight out of a Macbook Pro; they're great, even without a pre amp. I'd like to add a pair of closed backs for mixing and recording vocals. Q1] Would E3 and MM500 be a good pairing? Q2] Also, could you suggest an ideal portable pre amp for travel which I might buy that would enhance? Thanks for any response, Cheers from Vancouver!

[@levinste2750]

I purchased the E3, absolutely amazing headphones, I'm using it with the RME ADI 2 DAC FS. Is it worth to get the Blue Dragon cable? Does it improve some sound quality ? I never bought custom cables for my previous headphones Any advices are welcome, thank you

[@nostgeoffhi-fi]

you want at least 800mw - 1 watt per channel for the E3. But I think optimally, it benefits from 2-3watts+ And I think the same goes for Stealth and Expanse. I really love the E3 with the XDuoo XD05 Bal2 with its 1.5watts per channel at 32 Ohms for portable (not to be confused with the original XD05 Bal 1Watt), and the XD05 Pro with 2 Watts 32 Ohms, Headamp GS-X Mini 6Watts 25 Ohm, or ifi DSD Neo 2 5.5Watts 32 Ohms for desktop.

[@Guiyo180]

How they compare to Hifiman Arya Organic? Is there a huge difference? Thanks

[@StevenFolberg-yw1oc]

Do you think the iBasso DX320 would drive these well out of the 4.4 MM balanced port?

[@sohailsyed1299]

I think so. My Hiby R6 can drive my Expanse.

[@AT-vj2mz]

It will be loud enough but most likely weak bass The e3 takes a ton of power to shine

[@ggdfggdfgdffgfddg34]

Which headphones have the most natural and natural sound so that instruments sound like in real life?

[@TheVeganVicar]

What distinguishes "IMAGING" from "SOUNDSTAGE"?

[@BloomAudio]

Soundstage is a part of imaging, with the soundstage being specifically the sense of space, while the imaging describes all of the characteristics around the positioning of instruments and the general sense that you're hearing musicians in a space and not sounds coming out of speakers on your head.

[@TheVeganVicar]

@@BloomAudio, thank you for the detailed explanation, Sir! I'll try to keep it in mind for future reference. Incidentally, you seem to be the only reviewer who prefers the Stealth over the E3.

[@muhamadsyazwan5170]

Could I drive this using Mojo?

[@BloomAudio]

I think the Mojo would be a little bit underpowered for the E3. Mojo might be fine as a second option, but you're not getting the full performance of the E3 with them.

[@muhamadsyazwan5170]

@@BloomAudio 🙏 thanks

[@nostgeoffhi-fi]

@@muhamadsyazwan5170 you want at least 800mw - 1 watt per channel for the E3. But I think optimally, you want 2-3watts+ And I think the same goes for Stealth and Expanse. I really love the E3 with the XDuoo XD05 Bal2 with its 1.5watts per channel at 32 Ohms for portable (not to be confused with the original XD05 Bal 1Watt), and the XD05 Pro with 2 Watts 32 Ohms, Headamp GS-X Mini 6Watts 25 Ohm, or ifi DSD Neo 2 5.5Watts 32 Ohms for desktop.

[@daniell80781]

What's the minimum one has to spend on a portable amp dac to drive these and realize the value? Any recommendations?

[@BloomAudio]

It at least somewhat depends on your preferences. For some, there's no portable solution that's going to *really* get the best performance out of these, but we've also had some good reports from customers pairing E3 with the Questyle M15. I'd probably recommend something at the level of the iFi Gryphon and the 4.4mm balanced cable as minimum, but there's probably room on either side of that, to either go cheaper or to go with a more expensive more powerful option.

[@daniell80781]

super helpful! Sounds like I could start with the Questyle M15 and go from there! Great review, thanks@@BloomAudio

[@joshuakarp2586]

I know this is a "rough" question but what do you think about Stellia vs E3?

[@BloomAudio]

Stellia has a bit of a more natural timbre, and there might be some stronger aspects to the midrange on Stellia (I wasn't able to do a direct comparison). Overall I'd probably take E3, but Stellia has a big advantage in efficiency for mobile use if you need a closed-back for travel and don't have a dedicated higher power portable.

[@joshuakarp2586]

@@BloomAudio good thing I have the iFi NEO 2 I bought from you (well two of them, one for office, one for home). I’ll be buying the E3 from you!

[@joshuakarp2586]

Mine came from you guys today! SICK!!!!!

[@joshuakarp2586]

Random Comment. My Burson Soloist Voyageur Deluxe came from you guys today. It’s total endgame! Highly recommended!

[@zapador]

I have not heard the E3 but I own the Stealth and I have spent quite some time with the Stellia. I'm not sure if you've heard Stellia but I'd go as far as to say it sounds bad, at least if you take into consideration that it's a 3500$ headphone. If it was 200$ I might think it is okay but it really isn't worth more than that.

[@paulcohen2556]

Can you compare this to the Hifiman Aryas or HE headphones?

[@BloomAudio]

E3 is pretty spacious for a closed-back, but it definitely doesn't have the sort of airy open feeling of the Arya or HE series. It would exceed the bass performance of most of HIFIMAN's offerings, but lack some of the detail in the midrange and it doesn't extend into the highs as generously.

[@OrphanSocks]

Having both the E3 and the HE1000se, Bloom’s description above is exactly my assessment as well. I think these two complement each other quite well.

[@gdubaz]

My 2 favorite closed-backs are the ZMF Verite C and Focal Stellia's (with the Bathys fast becoming a favorite for wireless use). You already compared the Stellia's - what are your thoughts on the Verite's? For what it's worth - between the 2, I prefer the Stellia's for more rock-oriented tracks (especially when I want to CRANK up the volume) and the Verite's for more laid-back, "analog" tracks (I often use a turntable/RTR deck and tube amp with them).