Dan Clark Audio E3 Review: Interview, Measurements, Impressions

[Quirkz]

I found the E3 to leak considerably more than the NX. When I covered the top vent holes on the E3, it leaked much less so that's the majority of the leakage. For my preferred listening levels, E3 would definitely bother my coworkers.

It does depend on how noisy the office is, and how loud you listen to. They're not the most isolating, but they're still leagues ahead of any openback.

At modest levels, in an average office (with background noise, people chattering, airconditioning humming), you'd need to be pretty close to hear anything.

If you work in a morgue, and like death metal, then yeah... the bodies are going to sit up and dance.

 

[mowgli-kun]

Hey y'all. I just received my E3 from an order I placed a while back. I loved listening to them at CanJam NYC (with my Qudelix 5K, Headamp's CFA3 and a Topping unit), but I have mixed feelings auditioning them at home on my RME ADI-2 Pro.

I find the tuning very well done and extremely balanced (these would be incredible studio headphones), but I'm find the dynamics a bit lacking. To be fair, this is in comparison to various dynamic driver headphones, which I've generally preferred to planars from Hifiman and Audeze for this quality and their natural decay (this varies depending on the diaphragm material of course).

Now the catch here is that I'm using the E3 single-ended on the ADI-2 Pro since I don't have a custom cable for them yet. From experience, the balanced output on this unit tends to sound more dynamic/lively. I'll wait and see if the E3 grows on me, or if I'll fall back on my trusty Verite Closed. With spring and summer on the way, and my window staying open, I find myself preferring closed backs over open-backs for daytime listening.

Curious to hear what differences folks have heard trying the E3 on different source gear, especially if you have thoughts on changes to the macro dynamics.

 

[dougq]

Hey y'all. I just received my E3 from an order I placed a while back. I loved listening to them at CanJam NYC (with my Qudelix 5K, Headamp's CFA3 and a Topping unit), but I have mixed feelings auditioning them at home on my RME ADI-2 Pro.

I find the tuning very well done and extremely balanced (these would be incredible studio headphones), but I'm find the dynamics a bit lacking. To be fair, this is in comparison to various dynamic driver headphones, which I've generally preferred to planars from Hifiman and Audeze for this quality and their natural decay (this varies depending on the diaphragm material of course).

Now the catch here is that I'm using the E3 single-ended on the ADI-2 Pro since I don't have a custom cable for them yet. From experience, the balanced output on this unit tends to sound more dynamic/lively. I'll wait and see if the E3 grows on me, or if I'll fall back on my trusty Verite Closed. With spring and summer on the way, and my window staying open, I find myself preferring closed backs over open-backs for daytime listening.

Curious to hear what differences folks have heard trying the E3 on different source gear, especially if you have thoughts on changes to the macro dynamics.

No differences. The ADI-2 Pro has enough power to completely max them out. I always find dynamic driver headphones to sound a little more punchy but the E3 wasn't any slouch either.

 

[Zibi]

Hey y'all. I just received my E3 from an order I placed a while back. I loved listening to them at CanJam NYC (with my Qudelix 5K, Headamp's CFA3 and a Topping unit), but I have mixed feelings auditioning them at home on my RME ADI-2 Pro.

I find the tuning very well done and extremely balanced (these would be incredible studio headphones), but I'm find the dynamics a bit lacking. To be fair, this is in comparison to various dynamic driver headphones, which I've generally preferred to planars from Hifiman and Audeze for this quality and their natural decay (this varies depending on the diaphragm material of course).

Now the catch here is that I'm using the E3 single-ended on the ADI-2 Pro since I don't have a custom cable for them yet. From experience, the balanced output on this unit tends to sound more dynamic/lively. I'll wait and see if the E3 grows on me, or if I'll fall back on my trusty Verite Closed. With spring and summer on the way, and my window staying open, I find myself preferring closed backs over open-backs for daytime listening.

Curious to hear what differences folks have heard trying the E3 on different source gear, especially if you have thoughts on changes to the macro dynamics.

I have auditioned E3 (and Atrium Closed) on Ferrum stack. Both headphones performed very, very well. No complains about macro dynamics with E3 there. Actually, your doubts about RME ADI-2 Pro performance with E3 echo my problem that I had with my RME ADI-2 Dac FS (basic version) driving my Aeon2 Noire. Weak bass slam, shallow sound stage. I love RME DAC/DSP, but have doubts about current delivery capabilities with low impedance headphones by the AMP section.

 

[mowgli-kun]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts @dougq and @Zibi !

For now, I think my solution is to continue auditioning the E3 for a couple days and evaluate aspects other than macrodynamics (comfort, imaging, details). I'm confident that if I do keep this unit, either using it balanced or on a separate headamp should solve the lack of dynamics. The ADI-2 Pro single-ended is definitely quite...sterile, but man, the EQ, crossfeed and dynamic loudness are excellent once you dial them in, and the balanced output brings it just over the edge for me.

I will say, the large ear-shaped cups on the E3 don't seem to work quite as well for me as round cups (the "lobe" part of the pads tend to rest either on my neck or cheeks). It's good to know that clamp force can be eased by removing the gimbal screw, as others have shared in this thread. Will share more once I arrive at a decision, but for now, I find myself missing the VC when I use the E3, even though the VC is much less linear.

 

[Toddy]

I don‘t think the RME has enough power to drive the E3. On paper/in theory it might have (and for sure it is a fantastic DAC), but give the E3 more power, and it shines. I pair my RME with a Topping A90D or use one of my Cordas (Daccord-ff/Classic-ff or Soul II) and the E3 really comes to life.

 

[dougq]

I don‘t think the RME has enough power to drive the E3. On paper/in theory it might have (and for sure it is a fantastic DAC), but give the E3 more power, and it shines. I pair my RME with a Topping A90D or use one of my Cordas (Daccord-ff/Classic-ff or Soul II) and the E3 really comes to life.

It has plenty. It is a recommended dac / amp from DCA itself. It has enough current to absolutely max out the E3. More power won't give more life if the headphones don't demand it. With the RME you do not even have to go into high power mode.

 

[mowgli-kun]

I don‘t think the RME has enough power to drive the E3. On paper/in theory it might have (and for sure it is a fantastic DAC), but give the E3 more power, and it shines. I pair my RME with a Topping A90D or use one of my Cordas (Daccord-ff/Classic-ff or Soul II) and the E3 really comes to life.

The RME ADI-2 DAC or ADI-2 PRO (single-ended) can easily drive the E3 to comfortable volumes, but I agree that it does feel like its not being driven to its best. This is however, comparing against my auditory memory of what I heard at CanJam, and thus a bit unreliable.

I will say though, that even my easier to drive dynamic headphones sound notably better-controlled and less "flat" when driven balanced instead of single-ended on the ADI-2 Pro (this was volume matched). This tells me that there's probably more gains to be had once I upgrade to a better amp, when I have the space and funds for something like your A90D. How much of those gains I'll actually hear and appreciate is TBD.

 

[mcraghead]

The RME ADI-2 DAC or ADI-2 PRO (single-ended) can easily drive the E3 to comfortable volumes, but I agree that it does feel like its not being driven to its best. This is however, comparing against my auditory memory of what I heard at CanJam, and thus a bit unreliable.

I will say though, that even my easier to drive dynamic headphones sound notably better-controlled and less "flat" when driven balanced instead of single-ended on the ADI-2 Pro (this was volume matched). This tells me that there's probably more gains to be had once I upgrade to a better amp, when I have the space and funds for something like your A90D. How much of those gains I'll actually hear and appreciate is TBD.

When you heard the E3s at CanJam, what amp and DAC were you using? I wonder if the combination was tonally different than your RME setup. Just a thought.

 

[mowgli-kun]

When you heard the E3s at CanJam, what amp and DAC were you using? I wonder if the combination was tonally different than your RME setup. Just a thought.

I heard them on a CFA3 (didn't notice the DAC) and a larger Topping unit (either an A90 or a DX7 Pro+). I was unfortunately too focused on the headphones. Definitely have lots to learn and try with regards to source gear and synergy, but I'm putting that off for the moment.

It's probably a bit too premature without optimal source gear and I've yet to demo a few that are out there, but I will say I've preferred dynamic drivers over all the planars I've heard. I can see why folks love the E3 though – it sounded very tonally correct and lithe (I'd only add a slight bass shelf and bump up the 1.5k range a tad), and imaged beautifully. The E3, MM-500 and LCD-X are the only planars I've truly enjoyed for what it's worth.

 

[Zibi]

It has plenty. It is a recommended dac / amp from DCA itself. It has enough current to absolutely max out the E3. More power won't give more life if the headphones don't demand it. With the RME you do not even have to go into high power mode.

I respectfully disagree with your statement "to absolutely max out the E3". I do not know what you mean. In so many comments I see "it's loud enough at 70% of the volume" statement. But since when loudness itself became the definition of the sound quality? My take on this (RME + E3) doubts is that it may be related to current delivery limits at low frequencies <100Hz.

 

[mcraghead]

I heard them on a CFA3 (didn't notice the DAC) and a larger Topping unit (either an A90 or a DX7 Pro+). I was unfortunately too focused on the headphones. Definitely have lots to learn and try with regards to source gear and synergy, but I'm putting that off for the moment.

It's probably a bit too premature without optimal source gear and I've yet to demo a few that are out there, but I will say I've preferred dynamic drivers over all the planars I've heard. I can see why folks love the E3 though – it sounded very tonally correct and lithe (I'd only add a slight bass shelf and bump up the 1.5k range a tad), and imaged beautifully. The E3, MM-500 and LCD-X are the only planars I've truly enjoyed for what it's worth.

I had a positive experience with the E3s at CanJam as well. I heard them with the ampsandsound Mogwai SE and the Laiv HP2A. I preferred them with the Mogwai SE, but it's not like I can afford that anytime soon. Not so much with the Laiv. Not that the Laiv is bad, but I didn't care for it with the E3s. I'm looking forward to my pair of E3s, whenever I get to that point. I hope yours work out for you in the long run.

 

[mowgli-kun]

I had a positive experience with the E3s at CanJam as well. I heard them with the ampsandsound Mogwai SE and the Laiv HP2A. I preferred them with the Mogwai SE, but it's not like I can afford that anytime soon. Not so much with the Laiv. Not that the Laiv is bad, but I didn't care for it with the E3s. I'm looking forward to my pair of E3s, whenever I get to that point. I hope yours work out for you in the long run.

Trying not to think too much about how much of an impact source gear can have, because this hobby is already very expensive haha.

I wish I got to hear them on the Mogwai SE (loved that amp with every headphone I've tried on it). Would love to read your impressions when you get a pair of the E3!

 

[hiImGrant]

I exchanged a set of noire x for the e3, the noire seemed to have a similar problem that my aeon 2 closed had before putting the noire pads on, which is a bit of sibilance at certain frequencies that I’m sensitive to. The e3 do a much better job in that area. I would still call them a bit bright in the same area but it’s not sharp in the same way the noire have been to me.

This is clearly a huge step forward for DCA in their more reasonably priced lineup. Honestly even the noire x was really well behaved and I would have kept them had they behaved a bit better in the higher frequencies. They were much cleaner than the aeons, but the E3, these are special.

These have really deep extension. I have a pair of abyss joal with ported hybrid pads that have some crazy low end. These, with the little experimentation I’ve done, seem to match that extension. They’re much more balanced and border on bright but don’t cross the line into sibilance. I’m really impressed so far with what I’m hearing. I’m also super satisfied with the cable, having used several dummer cables from DCA this is my first vivo and wow, it’s just much better as far as ergonomics. My several year old dummer from my aeons holds its original shape to this day. Very happy with this all around.

I think between these two I have my bases covered. Just rounding out my signal chain and I’m set for another few years at least.

 

[Quirkz]

I exchanged a set of noire x for the e3, the noire seemed to have a similar problem that my aeon 2 closed had before putting the noire pads on, which is a bit of sibilance at certain frequencies that I’m sensitive to. The e3 do a much better job in that area. I would still call them a bit bright in the same area but it’s not sharp in the same way the noire have been to me.

I had the Noire original, and I found them good, but very, very fatiguing due to how bright they were. I'm pretty sensitive to bright headphones.

The E3 has completely solved that, while also being even more open and spacious.

Complete upgrade in every respect.