Happy new year Wave Theory! I really enjoyed watching your channel in 2024 and I look forward to seeing more reviews in 2025. Hopefully we’ll see more market disrupters after Fiio shook things up last year.
In order to complete your analysis of the closed back headphones you should ABSOLOUTELY test the AUNE SR7000 you will be blown away by its value for $ 599.-
I had the original Noire. Does the Noire X address the previous lack of microdynamics? My Noires were comfy and sounded good mostly, but I couldn't get over how "dull" they sounded in comparison to my Focals. Noted your reponse at 14:35
Also for people with really big heads like myself. I had to return the Noire X because it was a little bit too small. I maxed out the metal frame and the leather headband pushed so hard into my head that it was really uncomfortable. The Noire 2 is fitting fine tho.
As you mentioned that changing pads on the Bokeh was not particularly easy, I thought I should add that replacing the pads on the Noire X would be even worse as they are glued on. Hopefully pad wear is not too rapid on the DCAs!
Hello, any chance of you being able to review the new 2024 focal headphones especially the azurys vs your radiance and other 1k closed cans? long time follower of the channel and i love it.
I have just committed to the Noire x having purchased a aftermarket cable online and picking up the phones in Singapore next week,I’m all in. I was considering the Bokeh also and would have liked to see some comparisons earlier on. The Noire x will be replacing my Focal Celeste as my travel set as I work internationally and the portability really played into my decision; on the go I will be powering them from my ifi go bar kensei that looking at the numbers will have ample power to make the Noire x perform. When I’m home in Thailand I’ll just have to resist the temptation to run them on my OTL tube amp which obviously the Bokeh would have been nice on. I can’t wait for next week!
Thanks for comparison ... at least you have tried to do it, even though it is not extremely helpful ... but I fully understand the challenge of not having both headphones side-by-side for comparison. I want to buy a new closed back and I am more leaning towards Broken ... but Mark recently rated Broken with only 2 stars ... it is really hard to decide without actually listening to them.
@@_chiaki_nanami_ I haven't heard the DCA E3... but I've heard plenty of High end HP's and I'm a firm believer in Diminishing Returns. The FT1 will change the landscape of the headphone market for what it can do with a $150 price tag. FiiO has put all the other HP companies on notice with a $150 Giant Slayer HP
@@soulfulfool I'm not on a budget. I've got a stabilized ZMF Atrium, HE1000 Stealth, bunch of the Sennheiser 600 line HP's and expensive audio gear out the wazoo. That's why I'm able to compare the FT1 with much more expensive headphones and point out what a great value they are. DMS and Resolve from The Headphone Show also have the same take as me and many others on them. It's not the best HP on the planet, but for $150, the FT1 is the best bargain in the headphone hobby. They just need to up the QC on the FT1
I have both the Radiance and the Noire X with me right now. To my ears, the Radiance offers better “sound stage and imaging”, and the Noire X offers better comfort. But both are very good headphones overall, sound wise.
The Noire X are phenomenal but you are but a step away from the E3 and in 2025 the closed back section of cans will get infinitely better for the dollar. Although in the 6 months I had them were quite good....or was it the Burson Conductor 3 Reference amp? 😆But seriously, for me, there's nothing like well mastered 70's jazz fusion with those DCA's. Wow.
I own the E3 and the Bokeh closed; the E3 is one of the best closed backs on the market. There's almost no closed back beyond its price that offers the same level of performance. However, the E3 doesn't replace the Bokeh, or even some other closed back sets. If I'm mixing or doing critical listening work, or listening to specific genres, the E3 is the best pick for that. However, there are many times I'm going to reach for the Bokeh or Radiance when casual listening and I much prefer their tuning for a lot of my library. Important to remember there's no linear path to the "best" headphone.
I can see that point, but drivability becomes a factor. These are both significantly easier to drive than E3 so they will work better for most in OTG/Transportable situations.
![Burson V7 Series OpAmps Review - A Fun and Cheap[ish] Upgrade!](/img/n.gif)
Happy new year Wave Theory! I really enjoyed watching your channel in 2024 and I look forward to seeing more reviews in 2025. Hopefully we’ll see more market disrupters after Fiio shook things up last year.
Thanks for the comparison.
In order to complete your analysis of the closed back headphones you should ABSOLOUTELY test the AUNE SR7000 you will be blown away by its value for $ 599.-
Wow. Thanks for your comment.
I had the original Noire. Does the Noire X address the previous lack of microdynamics? My Noires were comfy and sounded good mostly, but I couldn't get over how "dull" they sounded in comparison to my Focals. Noted your reponse at 14:35
I have The Noire X and the Bathys, and the Bathys is significantly more dynamic than the Noire X.
Also for people with really big heads like myself. I had to return the Noire X because it was a little bit too small. I maxed out the metal frame and the leather headband pushed so hard into my head that it was really uncomfortable. The Noire 2 is fitting fine tho.
As you mentioned that changing pads on the Bokeh was not particularly easy, I thought I should add that replacing the pads on the Noire X would be even worse as they are glued on. Hopefully pad wear is not too rapid on the DCAs!
Hello, any chance of you being able to review the new 2024 focal headphones especially the azurys vs your radiance and other 1k closed cans? long time follower of the channel and i love it.
I have just committed to the Noire x having purchased a aftermarket cable online and picking up the phones in Singapore next week,I’m all in. I was considering the Bokeh also and would have liked to see some comparisons earlier on. The Noire x will be replacing my Focal Celeste as my travel set as I work internationally and the portability really played into my decision; on the go I will be powering them from my ifi go bar kensei that looking at the numbers will have ample power to make the Noire x perform. When I’m home in Thailand I’ll just have to resist the temptation to run them on my OTL tube amp which obviously the Bokeh would have been nice on. I can’t wait for next week!
Waiting for your sony mdr z1r and denon d7200 review
Thanks for comparison ... at least you have tried to do it, even though it is not extremely helpful ... but I fully understand the challenge of not having both headphones side-by-side for comparison. I want to buy a new closed back and I am more leaning towards Broken ... but Mark recently rated Broken with only 2 stars ... it is really hard to decide without actually listening to them.
I wouldn't listen to 1 negative review, when every other review has been pretty dam good. But actually hearing them for yourself is the best way.
what do you think about the HE1000 Stealth new price being 1200?
lower price than arya unveiled but those 2 should be compared
@ arya unveiled is cheaply built for a 1300 dollar headphone and the unveiled aspect is so unsafe i would just write it off
@ yes he1000 looks better in terms of used materials, new Arya really got super cheap built
Get both the Bokeh and the Noire x
Or skip out on both for E3?
😅
or get the Giant Slayer FiiO FT1 Closed Back and take the $850 you saved and buy another HP or some audio Gear
@JTB-- implying...it competes with those two and even the E3 directly?
@@_chiaki_nanami_ I haven't heard the DCA E3... but I've heard plenty of High end HP's and I'm a firm believer in Diminishing Returns. The FT1 will change the landscape of the headphone market for what it can do with a $150 price tag. FiiO has put all the other HP companies on notice with a $150 Giant Slayer HP
@@JTB-- dude chill out with your giant slaying xD we all understand that your on budget and excited by new headphones
@@soulfulfool I'm not on a budget. I've got a stabilized ZMF Atrium, HE1000 Stealth, bunch of the Sennheiser 600 line HP's and expensive audio gear out the wazoo. That's why I'm able to compare the FT1 with much more expensive headphones and point out what a great value they are. DMS and Resolve from The Headphone Show also have the same take as me and many others on them. It's not the best HP on the planet, but for $150, the FT1 is the best bargain in the headphone hobby. They just need to up the QC on the FT1
I don't have to know which one is right for me. You spent months brow-beating me into buying a Radiance, lol.
You're welcome 😆
I have both the Radiance and the Noire X with me right now. To my ears, the Radiance offers better “sound stage and imaging”, and the Noire X offers better comfort. But both are very good headphones overall, sound wise.
👍🌟👍
The Noire X are phenomenal but you are but a step away from the E3 and in 2025 the closed back section of cans will get infinitely better for the dollar. Although in the 6 months I had them were quite good....or was it the Burson Conductor 3 Reference amp? 😆But seriously, for me, there's nothing like well mastered 70's jazz fusion with those DCA's. Wow.
Except a Susvara. 🎧😍🎧
@@TheVeganVicar never heard, are they magical?
E3 is of no use if you want something portable/transportable - it’s essentially for desktop use only given how hard it is to properly drive
@@marcustomlinson3582 I ain't taking my E3 anywhere.
👌👍
FIRST! 🎉
Reverend Dr. Thomas,
✝️ The Vegan Vicar 🌱
I'd save for E3 and be done rather than half as*ing on either of these
If only it was VEGAN. 😢
I own the E3 and the Bokeh closed; the E3 is one of the best closed backs on the market. There's almost no closed back beyond its price that offers the same level of performance. However, the E3 doesn't replace the Bokeh, or even some other closed back sets. If I'm mixing or doing critical listening work, or listening to specific genres, the E3 is the best pick for that. However, there are many times I'm going to reach for the Bokeh or Radiance when casual listening and I much prefer their tuning for a lot of my library. Important to remember there's no linear path to the "best" headphone.
I can see that point, but drivability becomes a factor. These are both significantly easier to drive than E3 so they will work better for most in OTG/Transportable situations.
Buy used sony mdr z1r instead of that lifeless e3
some people also prefer the more relaxed/fun tuning of the noire over the e3.