Dan Clark Audio Stealth Review, Interview, Measurements

[paradoxper]

Still waiting for my Stealth's. Should be Wednesday?

@Netforce and @TaronL and team relayed more batched shipments are incoming this week, I'm expecting mine hopefully by Friday.

 

[TMRaven]

I very much doubt that. When I heard it, despite only listening to it for a couple minutes, I immediately picked up on the fact it sounded very compressed, almost as if there was a blanket between you and the audio. Everything sounded similar volume, and it didn't sound "punchy" at all, more like "floppy", like a fish out of water. The Aeon 2 was an improvement for sure, but it wasn't even that much different.

If you're used to a sonic signature different from the Ether2, then it will sound just weird and for those couple minutes that you listen to it. Ether2 has a depression in the 4-5khz area. See my measurements of two different sets of them here: https://i.imgur.com/ImBsUWy.jpg

Depending on your preferences in sound, that depression can either make them sound laid-back, warm, and sweet, or it can make them sound muffled, dark, and lacking in energy.

Compressed is not a word I would use to describe the Ether 2 though. It's very open and free from distortion. The bass extends low and is impactful as well. The 4-5khz depression is not a result of acoustic limitations, but a tuning choice from DCA, so it's rather easy to EQ up if you want more 'snap' to your sound.

 

[xirxes]

How did those who own break in the Stealth?

I’ve listened to them nightly for 3-4 hours and I’m “feeling the burn” as they reach their ultimate delicious gooey center over time.

 

[DarginMahkum]

Well, I am ready for my delivery - for which I will have to wait at least another week. I took a last look and update at my Qobuz list for my favorite auditioning music which I will go through initially.

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/5935480

 

[xirxes]

Well, I am ready for my delivery - for which I will have to wait at least another week. I took a last look and update at my Qobuz list for my favorite auditioning music which I will go through initially.

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/5935480

If you’ve got tidal, this short list has been a GO TO for me on initial impressions:

https://tidal.com/playlist/abe0bf4b-2f61-4601-be0a-c24fa8e6c521

 

[DarginMahkum]

If you’ve got tidal, this short list has been a GO TO for me on initial impressions:

https://tidal.com/playlist/abe0bf4b-2f61-4601-be0a-c24fa8e6c521

Thanks. I don't have Tidal but I can see the list and can find them on Qobuz.

 

[iamoneagain]

Thanks. I don't have Tidal but I can see the list and can find them on Qobuz.

If you want some other good playlists in Qobuz look in the playlist section and scroll down to Hi-Fi Audio partners. These have been used for audio shows to show off their equipment. I prefer Chord’s list since it’s more alternative but you should find some excellent tracks for testing among these playlists.

 

[DarginMahkum]

If you want some other good playlists in Qobuz look in the playlist section and scroll down to Hi-Fi Audio partners. These have been used for audio shows to show off their equipment. I prefer Chord’s list since it’s more alternative but you should find some excellent tracks for testing among these playlists.

Thanks. Frankly, most of the time my own playlist is the one that I choose to listen to, as I listen to music that doesn't pop up in many playlists but it is always good to check to find new music to enjoy. I will check them, for sure.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Well, I am ready for my delivery - for which I will have to wait at least another week. I took a last look and update at my Qobuz list for my favorite auditioning music which I will go through initially.

https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/5935480

So you will be the First to compare Stealth to Rögnir.
Highly anticipating your impressions

 

[gearocdguy]

2 hours with the Stealth compared to Stellia on a Hugo 2, a few quick observations.

Grades are compared to each other not absolute

The Bad

Thumping - Stellia A+, Stealth B
Call it macro-dynamics, impact, or whatever. The only way to test for it is to listen to Take The Power Back by Rage Against The Machine and Tom Sawyer by Rush.

Stealth holds its own on Tom Sawyer. No contest on Take The Power Back. Stellia is god-tier when it comes to thumping.
Compare to other DCA headphones I have owned → A2C C-, Ether 2s C+, and Ether CXs B-.

Comfort - Stellia A-, Stealth D
Hugely disappointed with the comfort. This is really bumming me out as I love everything about the comfort of DCA headphones. Stealth is not heavy but has weak clamping force, so all the weight is carried by the strap. The elastic band system makes it feel like the Stealth is pushing against the top of my head as opposed to resting and the comfort strap is very stiff.

I have a big melon, so I am pushing the elastic band pretty hard, and I am super sensitive to weight on the top of my head, so YMMV.

The Good

Separation and Detail - Stealth A++, Stellia B
It’s hard for me to think about these two qualities separately. Don't get me wrong the Stellia has amazing detail, but when you combine separation and detail the Stealth kills the Stellia.

The separation is so good and the distortion is so low, the Stealth makes bad recordings sound good.

The studio version of Supper's Ready with Peter Gabriel is one of my favorite songs, but the recording is so bad, it’s like murder on the Stellia. It sounds better of the Stealth than I have ever heard it before. I need to go dig out all my bootleg tapes from the 80's and figure out how to digitize them.

Tunning - Stealth A++, Steallia B
I EQ the Stellia as I don’t love the Focal house sound. I take down the 150 Hz bump and increase everything above 5k to make them less mid-forward. The Stealth honestly sounds good no matter how much or little I EQ it.

Sound Stage, Stealth B, Stellia C-
I don’t think any headphones have a good sound stage. If you want sound stage listen to speakers. Stealth is as good as I have heard including the 800s. The Stellia are like injecting music directly into your head.


Initial Conclusion
Probably not the best headphones if you want to bang your head. But spending north of $1000 to listen to any head-banging stuff is probably a waste of money.

The stealth is the cleanest sounding anything I have ever heard. Trying to decide if that is a good thing or a great thing. But, may not keep them long enough to find out given my issues with the headband.

 

[silversurfer616]

2 hours with the Stealth compared to Stellia on a Hugo 2, a few quick observations.

Grades are compared to each other not absolute

The Bad

Thumping - Stellia A+, Stealth B
Call it macro-dynamics, impact, or whatever. The only way to test for it is to listen to Take The Power Back by Rage Against The Machine and Tom Sawyer by Rush.

Stealth holds its own on Tom Sawyer. No contest on Take The Power Back. Stellia is god-tier when it comes to thumping.
Compare to other DCA headphones I have owned → A2C C-, Ether 2s C+, and Ether CXs B-.

Comfort - Stellia A-, Stealth D
Hugely disappointed with the comfort. This is really bumming me out as I love everything about the comfort of DCA headphones. Stealth is not heavy but has weak clamping force, so all the weight is carried by the strap. The elastic band system makes it feel like the Stealth is pushing against the top of my head as opposed to resting and the comfort strap is very stiff.

I have a big melon, so I am pushing the elastic band pretty hard, and I am super sensitive to weight on the top of my head, so YMMV.

The Good

Separation and Detail - Stealth A++, Stellia B
It’s hard for me to think about these two qualities separately. Don't get me wrong the Stellia has amazing detail, but when you combine separation and detail the Stealth kills the Stellia.

The separation is so good and the distortion is so low, the Stealth makes bad recordings sound good.

The studio version of Supper's Ready with Peter Gabriel is one of my favorite songs, but the recording is so bad, it’s like murder on the Stellia. It sounds better of the Stealth than I have ever heard it before. I need to go dig out all my bootleg tapes from the 80's and figure out how to digitize them.

Tunning - Stealth A++, Steallia
I EQ the Stellia as I don’t love the Focal house sound. I take down the 150 Hz bump and increase everything above 5k to make them less mid-forward. The Stealth honestly sounds good no matter how much or little I EQ it.

Sound Stage, Stealth B, Stellia C-
I don’t think any headphones have a good sound stage. If you want sound stage listen to speakers. Stealth is as good as I have heard including the 800s. The Stellia are like injecting music directly into your head.


Initial Conclusion
Probably not the best headphones if you want to bang your head. But spending north of $1000 to listen to any head-banging stuff is probably a waste of money.

The stealth is the cleanest sounding anything I have ever heard. Trying to decide if that is a good thing or a great thing. But, may not keep them long enough to find out given my issues with the headband.

I assume there’s a difference between head banging and head nodding?

 

[gearocdguy]

I assume there’s a difference between head banging and head nodding?

Back in the day, yes. But, who knows with kids today.

 

[zappazappazappa]

A brief review on Headphone Guru: https://headphone.guru/dan-clark-audio-stealth-planar-magnetic-headphone-redefining-flagship/

 

[skootb]

2 hours with the Stealth compared to Stellia on a Hugo 2, a few quick observations.

Grades are compared to each other not absolute

The Bad

Thumping - Stellia A+, Stealth B
Call it macro-dynamics, impact, or whatever. The only way to test for it is to listen to Take The Power Back by Rage Against The Machine and Tom Sawyer by Rush.

Stealth holds its own on Tom Sawyer. No contest on Take The Power Back. Stellia is god-tier when it comes to thumping.
Compare to other DCA headphones I have owned → A2C C-, Ether 2s C+, and Ether CXs B-.

Comfort - Stellia A-, Stealth D
Hugely disappointed with the comfort. This is really bumming me out as I love everything about the comfort of DCA headphones. Stealth is not heavy but has weak clamping force, so all the weight is carried by the strap. The elastic band system makes it feel like the Stealth is pushing against the top of my head as opposed to resting and the comfort strap is very stiff.

I have a big melon, so I am pushing the elastic band pretty hard, and I am super sensitive to weight on the top of my head, so YMMV.

The Good

Separation and Detail - Stealth A++, Stellia B
It’s hard for me to think about these two qualities separately. Don't get me wrong the Stellia has amazing detail, but when you combine separation and detail the Stealth kills the Stellia.

The separation is so good and the distortion is so low, the Stealth makes bad recordings sound good.

The studio version of Supper's Ready with Peter Gabriel is one of my favorite songs, but the recording is so bad, it’s like murder on the Stellia. It sounds better of the Stealth than I have ever heard it before. I need to go dig out all my bootleg tapes from the 80's and figure out how to digitize them.

Tunning - Stealth A++, Steallia B
I EQ the Stellia as I don’t love the Focal house sound. I take down the 150 Hz bump and increase everything above 5k to make them less mid-forward. The Stealth honestly sounds good no matter how much or little I EQ it.

Sound Stage, Stealth B, Stellia C-
I don’t think any headphones have a good sound stage. If you want sound stage listen to speakers. Stealth is as good as I have heard including the 800s. The Stellia are like injecting music directly into your head.


Initial Conclusion
Probably not the best headphones if you want to bang your head. But spending north of $1000 to listen to any head-banging stuff is probably a waste of money.

The stealth is the cleanest sounding anything I have ever heard. Trying to decide if that is a good thing or a great thing. But, may not keep them long enough to find out given my issues with the headband.

how the sound leak from a few feet away? Would the guy 4 feet to my right at work be able to hear what I’m listening to?

 

[TMRaven]

@gearocdguy do you still have the Ether2 to compare the Stealth to on other aspects asides 'thumping?'