[jude]

Dan Clark Audio E3 Review: Interview, Measurements, Impressions

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The E3 is the latest headphone from Dan Clark Audio, and, though it's half the price of their actual flagship models, that just makes this very open-sounding closed-back headphone their most cost-effective flagship-class headphone to date.

I visited Dan Clark Audio's headquarters in San Diego recently, and sat down with Dan to talk about the new E3. I also give my subjective impressions, show you some measurements (including comparative measurements), and more,

The measurements in this video were conducted at the Head-Fi HQ measurement lab using:

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• Brüel & Kjær High-frequency Head and Torso Simulator (HATS) Type 5128
• Audio Precision APx555 Audio Analyzer
• Audio Precision APx1701 Transducer Test Interface
• Benchmark HPA4 Headphone Amplifier
• Herzan custom-designed acoustic & vibration isolation enclosure

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Dan Clark Audio E3 Review: Interview, Measurements, Impressions
produced by Brian Murphy, Ethan Opolion, and Jude Mansilla​

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[mrspeakers]

Hi all!

Really excited about this launch, we put our all into it.

I'm happy to answer any questions, and for information that will be of interest to lots of people I'll update this post as well as replying inline...

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Nomax]

NOMAX

PS.lol

 

[TaronL]

We got to check out the E3 in Socal for the first time and knew it was something pretty special! Stoked that it's finally out there in the world!

We also have them in stock and ready to ship right now at Headphones.com

https://headphones.com/products/dan-clark-audio-e3-headphones

DMS has also had a pair for a couple of weeks, check out his thoughts below!

 

[musicday]

NOMAX

PS.lol

How does it compare to your beloved Composer?

 

[plakat]

Looking forward to have a listen next week… closed back is a good start and the price almost civilized

 

[raps1514]

Would be great to know how E3 compares to Stealth, one of my favorite headphones.

 

[Currawong]

I was lucky enough to get a pair early to evaluate. The somewhat unique tuning has great instrument timbre, making for a "lively" sound.

 

[Nomax]

My first impressions.....

There is nothing to criticize about the highs/mids
The higher contact pressure/clamping force should also benefit many now
️No matter what you are told by others, the E3 is not easy to drive️
The M17 from FiiO is the only one of the mobile players that has enough power...even the new Kann Ultra from Astell&Kern doesn't make it by far
As always, Dan Clark has succeeded in creating a kind of soundstage that takes place in front of you, which is still a phenomenon even for me
The illumination of the room can be described as sufficient, even for me
It is also positive that the bass/low end now appear more compact and hit harder in comprison to the stealth
For the price I think the E3 will get a big fan base

The question of all questions - what bothers me personally?
More on this later

NOMAX

PS.lol

 

[TaronL]

Would be great to know how E3 compares to Stealth, one of my favorite headphones.

Here's some comparison measurements from DMS' 4128 rig

Compensated

Both headphones have positional variation and your HRTF will vary so it's not an exact representation on the sound differences but it gives a good understanding.

For me, when I heard them in September the word that kept coming to my mind was "lively". It's a fun step up from the Noire and it's great to see Dan continuing to innovate!

 

[Jimthecoffeeguy]

@mrspeakers
Does E3 share the same ear pads as stealth/expanse?

 

[Metalingus]

I'll be buying these no matter what, design is just cup of my tea and i miss my beloved aeons...

 

[Condocondor]

We got to check out the E3 in Socal for the first time and knew it was something pretty special! Stoked that it's finally out there in the world!

We also have them in stock and ready to ship right now at Headphones.com

https://headphones.com/products/dan-clark-audio-e3-headphones

DMS has also had a pair for a couple of weeks, check out his thoughts below!

Oh man, this hobby keeps getting better and "cheaper". The bar keeps getting raised and prices are dropping. First HiFiMan drops the HEK-SE down to $2000 now this. And this is the important thing...It's an American Company.

 

[Rasuti]

@mrspeakers
Does E3 share the same ear pads as stealth/expanse?

I'm not dan, but from what i've seen on Currawong's video on the e3, they're almost the same with the difference being perforation, and synthetic leather on the inside of the pad itself.

 

[XERO1]

For me, when I heard them in September the word that kept coming to my mind was "lively". It's a fun step up from the Noire and it's great to see Dan continuing to innovate!

That's good to hear, because the word I'd use to describe the sound of the Stealth and Expanse is "lifeless". Even though their FR looks quite good on paper, their SQ does absolutely nothing for me.

So it looks like Dan may have taken some of that criticism/feedback to heart, and the E3 is his response. To which I say....

And the E3 costing half of what the Stealth/Expanse cost is also a HUGE step in the right direction!!