Dan Clark Audio E3 Review: Interview, Measurements, Impressions

[jarnopp]

I'm guessing most people on this thread either need, for practical reasons or prefer, closed back headphones. However my question is: purely for sound quality, does the E3 outperform the open back Ether 2?

E3 is night and day different from the open Ether 2, with E3 being day and E2 being night (with any of the 3 pad choices). Both low distortion, though. E3 sounds more like speakers.

 

[ronin22]

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

Hard to say since there are demographics to consider and shipping options but to give you an idea- ordered Friday, mine shipped on a Monday and I received it on Wednesday with 2 day fed ex shipping from CA to NY area.

 

[fccn75]

wow, that's fast!! Thx for replying.

 

[ronin22]

wow, that's fast!! Thx for replying.

Sure. Just to clarify it wasn't this passed weekend I ordered- it was when they were first released a few weeks ago.

 

[ronin22]

Extract from the National Institute for Health regarding accuracy of iPhone mics/db measurement apps


Extract from above : Conclusion: This study has shown significant variation in the ability of iPhone apps (Apple) to accurately predict environmental dB levels. However, if the correct app is used, an iPhone represents a relatively reliable means of measuring noise exposure levels when a specialist calibrated sound level meter is not readily available.

FWIW- The Apple app store has a SPL app called NIOSH which is supposed to be set to NIOSH/OSHA standards taking into consideration the iphone mic limitations. There are others as well. They also have the ability to adjust the reading +/_ so if you have a calibrated mic (UMIK) you take a reading with that and adjust the app (pretty much what Dan said haha)

 

[zappazappazappa]

E3 is night and day different from the open Ether 2, with E3 being day and E2 being night (with any of the 3 pad choices). Both low distortion, though. E3 sounds more like speakers.

I assume that you mean Ether 2 is darker/richer sounding than E3?

 

[Somafunk]

FWIW- The Apple app store has a SPL app called NIOSH

Yep, got that app and a Umik that I used for room correction peq after acoustically treating my room

 

[SlothRock]

Oh hello!!

 

[jarnopp]

I assume that you mean Ether 2 is darker/richer sounding than E3?

Darker, yes. I haven’t had the E2 in a while, so to the extent “richer” goes with darker, then maybe, but E3 is a very full, rich, detailed headphone. You are at the front of the venue. E2 is more like what you hear when you are in the vestibule before you go through the velvet curtain.

 

[Rhamnetin]

I assume that you mean Ether 2 is darker/richer sounding than E3?

Here's a frequency response comparison if you haven't seen one, using the Stealth which is extremely close to the E3 (couldn't find an E3 vs Ether 2 direct).

 

[zappazappazappa]

Here's a frequency response comparison if you haven't seen one, using the Stealth which is extremely close to the E3 (couldn't find an E3 vs Ether 2 direct).

Thanks for the comparison. Unfortunately I'm not much good at interpreting such graphs in terms of how the different frequency responses relate to the different sound qualities between the two headphones.
My previous listening experience of comparing DCA open and closed headphones was some years ago. I listened to the Ether Flow Closed and the Ether Flow Open. The Ether Flow Open was much the superior model. At the time I put in my order for a pair of the Ether Flow Open I said as much to the importer and he agreed with my assessment and said the Ether Flow Closed was very good - 'for a closed back headphone'. After the Stealth and now the rave comments the E3 is getting I'm wondering if this superiority of open back over closed back within the DCA headphone line up has changed. Though As the E3 and Ether 2 are priced within a whisker of each other I presume Dan thinks the Ether 2 still offers a worthwhile alternative and is competitive with the E3 . I also assume that the Ether 2 is the best open back headphone he can currently make at that price.
Anyway hopefully I'll get to hear the E3 at next years London CanJam and be able to make up my own mind.

 

[SpaceInvader77]

After going back and forth, I decided to order myself an E3. So far, I'm having no trouble driving these balanced on my FiiO M15S on Ultra High gain. On most modern tracks, 50% volume is good for my comfortable listening levels. However, I'm excited to try these balanced on my Burson Conductor 3X.

Compared to Noir, I'm hearing a much meatier mid range. Highs are definitely smoother and lows are are more present, yet tight. More full overall, which I am enjoying on older classic rock recordings.

I'm noticing ear pad positioning makes a massive difference. With my ears in the middle of the cup, the mids are more pronounced. With my ears in the top of the cup, I think I'm hearing slightly clearer highs. I will need to experiment more to find my personal sweet spot.

 

[SlothRock]

OK, I'm really starting to like the E3. I will say that, at first, the sound signature was very jarring to me. Previous cans/current cans I'm used to: ZMF VC, HD660S, ZMF Atrium Closed, ZMF Atrium Open, Susvara, Sennheiser IE600. Outside of the Susvara, most of my cans have had quite a large bass emphasis and were cooler on the treble. At first, I found the E3 to be bass light and a bit sharp in the mid-range to my liking. After a few hours of listening to tracks, I started to take to the sound signature and just realized that it's just a legitimately accurate representation of the music.

In tracks where I was used to gobs of bass, the E3 won't show that if it's not actually there. In tracks that are bass heavy, the E3 does represent the bass to its fullest and most accurate. In addition, the mids and highs are very well represented and feel like a veil has been taken off from I've been used to in previous cans (Although I did think the Susvara did a fantastic job here). I love my Atrium Closed and I do think they're a great compliment to the E3 but it was interesting to go back and forth and hear the clarity difference when using the E3 vs. the AC.

I got a lot more testing to do!

 

[SLC1966]

E3 should arrive today. I am looking forward to spending a lot of time with it and also comparing to my other cans. I get about 80% closed vs. open listening time due to where and when I can listen. I am content with Susvara, Utopia OG, and HD HD660S2 for open back sessions but am always open to adding closed backs to my Stealth and Atrium closed cans. I have a feeling with E3 and eventually the Caldera closed-back coming out, the AC may lose out since I do prefer articulation and clarity over warmth.

 

[SlothRock]

E3 should arrive today. I am looking forward to spending a lot of time with it and also comparing to my other cans. I get about 80% closed vs. open listening time due to where and when I can listen. I am content with Susvara, Utopia OG, and HD HD660S2 for open back sessions but am always open to adding closed backs to my Stealth and Atrium closed cans. I have a feeling with E3 and eventually the Caldera closed-back coming out, the AC may lose out since I do prefer articulation and clarity over warmth.

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