Dan Clark Audio E3 Review: Interview, Measurements, Impressions

[ronin22]

Out of curiosity, what prompted you to get the E3 along with the Stealth? Considering the reviews and measurements stating they're very close together in sound signature with minor differences I am just curious since, now that I have the E3, the Stealth has been more intriguing

Also, what alternate cables are folks using? I love soft, flexible cables (like my Viking Weave cables) and definitely would like to move on from this stock cable ASAP. It's not the worst stock cable but I know there's plenty better out there

I know it wasn't directed at me but my two cents is that even though they are pretty similar in signature I felt the Stealth had a brighter/ Mid forward sound to me. Of course that is from memory but I'm very sensitive to mid range as once I hear it, thats all I hear as it sounds "honkey" for lack of a better word. The E3 doesn't have that to me so there must be some small adjustments that my ears like over the Stealth. Maybe just enough adjustments to certain frequencies that make the E3 amazing to me.

As far as cables I use a Hart Audio balanced which I think is pretty good but I do prefer the stock VIVO cable, single ended- it transfers very little microphonics for me.

 

[SLC1966]

Out of curiosity, what prompted you to get the E3 along with the Stealth? Considering the reviews and measurements stating they're very close together in sound signature with minor differences I am just curious since, now that I have the E3, the Stealth has been more intriguing

Also, what alternate cables are folks using? I love soft, flexible cables (like my Viking Weave cables) and definitely would like to move on from this stock cable ASAP. It's not the worst stock cable but I know there's plenty better out there

I like the Stealth so much, I wanted to take a deep dive into the E3 to tease out any and all differences. Just like I did when the Expanse came out.

I ordered the E3 with 4.4mm 1.1m length for the rare times I will use it with my DX300 Max Ti for transportability purposes when on a longer vacation or at work. I feel better transporting the E3 to other locations a lot more than I do with the Stealth just due to cost. My DCA and ZMF HPs are all outfitted with different cables from @doctorjuggles who owns Khanyayo Cable company. They are all 6ft and terminated XLR which works out well with my HP rigs. Justin at Khanyayo Cables is very closely associated with Viking Cables. His cables are super well made and everything I have had has great ergonomics. He is based out of London. Shipping cost from there to the States is minimal.

I also have some cables from Corpse Cable out of Montana. The ergonomics are not good but I like that they use Cardas cable. I have in the past had really good experiences with Christian at Plussound and Peter at Double Helix.

 

[SLC1966]

Had a quick listen with the E3. It definitely looks better than any of the pictures I have seen.

Super quick impressions: I hear for sure some Stealth and some Expanse in it. Which makes sense. I hear the mid bass of the Expanse. I hear the tonality/timbre of the Stealth. The E3 has more sparkle up top than the Stealth. I think the sparkle up top and the mid bass bump reduce the amount of mid range coming through and increase liveliness. E3 is livelier than Stealth and Expanse. Stealth most likely wins out with the depth and texture/layering in the mid range over longer sessions. Time will tell.

I need longer sessions and numerous sessions to really have an understanding of the E3 so take the above with a grain of salt since it was just a quicky while in the ga ga goo goo phase of our relationship.

 

[Rhamnetin]

I like the Stealth so much, I wanted to take a deep dive into the E3 to tease out any and all differences. Just like I did when the Expanse came out.

I ordered the E3 with 4.4mm 1.1m length for the rare times I will use it with my DX300 Max Ti for transportability purposes when on a longer vacation or at work. I feel better transporting the E3 to other locations a lot more than I do with the Stealth just due to cost. My DCA and ZMF HPs are all outfitted with different cables from @doctorjuggles who owns Khanyayo Cable company. He is very closely associated with Viking Cables. His cables are super well made and everything I have had has great ergonomics. He is based out of London. Shipping cost from there to the States is minimal.

I also have some cables from Corpse Cable out of Montana. The ergonomics are not good but I like that they use Cardas cable. I have in the past had really good experiences with Christian at Plussound and Peter at Double Helix.

The only one you're missing is the Corina! Just kidding.

 

[mrspeakers]

Just curious, what's the ordering process time from DCA the moment online order is completed till one receives delivery of the E3?

2-4 days between order and ship is typical, it's a bit hard to forecast with holiday weekends etc.

 

[SLC1966]

The only one you're missing is the Corina! Just kidding.

Thank goodness it is Electrostatic. I avoid some rabbit holes.

I am a fanboy of ZMF and DCA so I pretty much feel good about purchasing most things they put out.

 

[hanumanbob]

I'm in the same crowd. Love the DCA fit.

 

[helloh3adfi]

Same as Ether, a little smaller than Stealth/expanse.


pretty good. Above 90 db there’s a little outward leakage but it’s reasonable. Inbound noise blocking is very good.

Hello mrspeakers, How would you describe the leakage of the E3 compared to Aeon 2 Noire?

How are the inner sizes of the earpads?

 

[bagwell359]

Big fan of the E2 bass (impact, timbre, speed), any comments vs. the 3?

 

[KarlStromberg]

Super quick impressions: I hear for sure some Stealth and some Expanse in it. Which makes sense. I hear the mid bass of the Expanse. I hear the tonality/timbre of the Stealth. The E3 has more sparkle up top than the Stealth. I think the sparkle up top and the mid bass bump reduce the amount of mid range coming through and increase liveliness. E3 is livelier than Stealth and Expanse. Stealth most likely wins out with the depth and texture/layering in the mid range over longer sessions.

Why didn't you keep the Expanse, but the Stealth, and how does it compare to the E3?

 

[SLC1966]

Why didn't you keep the Expanse, but the Stealth, and how does it compare to the E3?

I sold the Expanse mainly because I was needing funds to try out Susvara. I also prefer Stealth because my preference is for pinpoint notes and subbass. Stealth does that better than Expanse in my opinion. Expanse is also amazing and more ethereal than Stealth with a mid bass focus and more spatial than Stealth. I also love that expanse is not a completely open HP nor a closed HP. It does block out some ambient noise well and bleeds less than other open backs. E3 to me seems like a great combo of Stealth and Expanse. It is livelier than both but does not articulate as well as Expanse and Stealth. As in texture and layering. E3 is amazing at depth, texture and layering but just not as well as Expanse and Stealth. Which for 1/2 the price as those it should not. E3 is really good for the price.

 

[SlothRock]

I sold the Expanse mainly because I was needing funds to try out Susvara. I also prefer Stealth because my preference is for pinpoint notes and subbass. Stealth does that better than Expanse in my opinion. Expanse is also amazing and more ethereal than Stealth with a mid bass focus and more spatial than Stealth. I also love that expanse is not a completely open HP nor a closed HP. It does block out some ambient noise well and bleeds less than other open backs. E3 to me seems like a great combo of Stealth and Expanse. It is livelier than both but does not articulate as well as Expanse and Stealth. As in texture and layering. E3 is amazing at depth, texture and layering but just not as well as Expanse and Stealth. Which for 1/2 the price as those it should not. E3 is really good for the price.

Looks like you returned the E3 so the Stealth won out? I’m still in my return window and I love the E3 so much that it makes me more interested in the stealth haha

You and I have similar tastes as I had Susvaras I just sold, E3 now, atrium closed, etc haha still need to try utopias

I'm in the same crowd. Love the DCA fit.

E3 might honestly be the most comfortable headphone I’ve worn. Really, really nice!

 

[zach915m]

While I don't understand and definitely don'T share the love for ZMF, I think they start falling into the Hifiman trap: too many similar new models in too quick succession, devaluing older models... I don't see that trend to that extent with DCA so far, and for sure hope this won't change.

We typically don't release new products without significant ergonomic, technical or tuning changes.

I think here may be some misunderstanding here. Our models are meant to have different tunings and not follow the "good, better, best" pricing and performance structure. Our prices are based more on COGS than perceived value.

This doesn't speak to the way the market perceives them, aside from the intention being to make a collection of headphones, not a conceptual market value.

 

[mrspeakers]

Hello mrspeakers, How would you describe the leakage of the E3 compared to Aeon 2 Noire?

How are the inner sizes of the earpads?

About the same for leakage, much larger inner size.

I think here may be some misunderstanding here. Our models are meant to have different tunings and not follow the "good, better, best" pricing and performance structure. Our prices are based more on COGS than perceived value.

This doesn't speak to the way the market perceives them, aside from the intention being to make a collection of headphones, not a conceptual market value.

Hi Zach, I didn’t think I was implying that about your products it was meant as a comment on ours but thanks for the note and sorry if that came off wrong!

 

[Lohb]

@mrspeakers can we expect more trickle down tech to the Aeon2 pricing level or was E3 a direct successor to A2 line-up ?

Would be nice if the roots of the company audience (Fostex modder scene)/budget crowd can get a slice of the E3 tech level...