Dan Clark Audio
E3 Closed Back Planar Magnetic Headphones
$1,999.99 USDFeatures
New, Innovative Dual-Mode Bass Port and Gorilla Glass technology
Same lightweight frame as DCA's Stealth and Expanse headphones
What's in the Box?
Warranty
Dan Clark's latest innovation in high-end headphones, the Dan Clark Audio E3 Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones deliver exceptional audio performance in a striking black and blue aesthetic. The E3 features several new upgrades such as Gorilla Glass 3 clad cups, meticulous tuning, and state-of-the-art engineering to achieve Dan Clark's legendary "open-back listening experience" in a closed-back audiophile headphone. Meticulous tuning and engineering integrate their patent-pending Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS) with an all-new 5th generation driver to achieve a listening experience that is not only incredibly musically accurate it’s also astoundingly fun! Perfect for all genres, from rock to acoustic and strings, the E3 headphones bring out the finest nuances of your most detailed recordings.
Naturally, the E3 is as comfortable as Dan Clark's entire headphone lineup, with the signature self-adjusting headbands and ergonomics suited for extended listening sessions. By unleashing top-of-the-line sound and comfort at midrange prices, Dan Clark Audio has set a new standard in headphone value, making E3 one of Dan Clark's most exciting projects to date by bringing uncompromising top-of-the-line high-end performance to a much larger audience.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Dan Clark Audio E3 with our Silver Dragon, Black Dragon, or Blue Dragon Premium Headphone Cables. Made with only the highest quality materials such as UP-OCC Silver or UP-OCC copper, our premium headphone cables bring out more of what you love in your music. The Silver Dragon Premium Headphone Cable shines at retrieving fine details for a more resolute sound quality. Our Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable adds warmth and detail lending itself to a warmer, smoother, and overall musical sound. Much like an eyeglass cleaner clearing any dust and dirt, our Blue Dragon Premium Headphone Cable delivers a clear, neutral, and uncolored sound to the performance of your headphones. For the E3 Headphones, we personally recommend the Blue Dragon Premium Headphone Cable, but the choice ultimately comes down to your listening style and what you'd like to bring out more in your sound.
Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS)
A critical feature of the E3 audiophile headphone is the enhanced AMTS tuning system, previously found only in Dan Clark Audio's TOTL multiaward-winning Stealth Headphones, Expanse Headphones, and Corina headphones. The E3 not only brings this ground-breaking technology to a more affordable headphone, but it does so with a new mode of implementation. All headphones are subject to high-frequency standing waves which can make treble sound harsh, fatiguing, or synthetic. AMTS is a patent pending inline device placed between the transducer and ear that integrates waveguides, diffusion control, and resonators into one compact structure that eliminates standing waves while giving DCA complete control of the high-frequency response profile.
DCA's AMTS tuning architecture is "not one size fits all,” it is custom-tuned for each headphone to deliver an optimized experience for each transducer. For the E3 headphone, Dan Clark Audio developed a new mode of deployment that departs from prior implementations. They won’t bore you with the details, other than to say that the AMTS in the E3 delivers an absolutely superbly rendered top-end that will surprise and delight, with a tone that is simply remarkably lifelike. In fact, the new E3 AMTS even reduces sensitivity to seal for a more consistent bass experience. Of course, while AMTS renders high frequencies with a refreshingly smooth, accurate, and detailed delivery, bad recordings will probably still sound bad; the engineers and designers at Dan Clark Audio are just humble magicians, not grand wizards!
True Planar Magnetic Performance
The Dan Clark Audio E3’s all-new 5th generation planar-magnetic driver delivers the smoothest, richest, and most detailed hi-fi experience Dan Clark has created to date. Its innovative diaphragms are made on an all-new tensioning system for a more uniform and consistent performance, lower distortion, and enhanced consistency. After extensive research and development, Dan Clark Audio used new diaphragm materials combined with highly optimized V-Planar knurling to deliver a remarkably smooth frequency response with low distortion through the listening range. The result? Levels of details retrieved are typically found primarily in top-of-the-line electrostatic headphones, all with an effortless and fun tonal balance. Unlike many headphones where “detail” is created through exaggerated high-frequency energy, the Dan Clark Audio E3’s new drivers coupled with AMTS deliver exceptionally high resolution without the fatiguing distortions and rough frequency response users may be used to.
A Closed-Back Headphone that Looks Open
Don't let your eyes fool you, despite the ventilation holes on the outside of the ear cups, the Dan Clark Audio E3 are actually closed-back headphones. The E3's secret weapon is yet another Dan Clark innovation, a Dual-Mode Bass Port, that delivers unrivaled control of the bass frequency response, creating a superbly balanced, impactful bass experience that's full of power yet free of bloat or midrange creep. If that's not innovative enough, Dan Clark's all-new Gorilla Glass 3 finish on the ear cups adds a protective yet stylish element. The Gorilla Glass 3 is a thin sheet of alkali-aluminosilicate that makes the glass stiffer and more scratch and break-resistant. This combined with the styling of the pattern under the glass evokes the mesh of an open-back headphone, a design cue to highlight the exceptionally open-back listening experience the E3 delivers.
Exceptional Audio Performance, Impeccable Comfort
Those demanding the very best in comfort and sound quality will be delighted with the Dan Clark Audio E3 headphones. Equally satisfying with all genres of music, the E3's soundstage, punchy bass, silky midrange, smooth highs, and layers of detail will keep listeners engaged for days on end. Never fatiguing, the E3 headphones will have you revisiting your entire music library to experience your music like never before. The E3 is just too much fun. The E3's 5th-generation driver and AMTS deliver an amazing balance of delicacy, nuance, and explosive dynamics that will have you reaching for all your favorite recordings, and cranking them up. For the best possible performance, adding a headphone amplifier or DAC/Amp combo will drive the E3 headphones efficiently and effectively.
Equally as important as sound, comfort is another home run with the E3 headphones. They take advantage of every ergonomic trick Dan Clark has developed, including the acclaimed self-adjusting headband suspension system from the Dan Clark Audio Stealth and Dan Clark Audio Expanse, as well as the convenient and stylish folding gimbals that make E3 a conveniently compact travel headphone. Exceptionally plush earpads on the ear cups increase the superior comfort of Dan Clark Audio headphones, a staple for all DCA headphones like the AEON 2 Open, Ether 2, AEON 2 Noire, and the original Dan Clark Audio AEON and Dan Clark Audio Ether headphones.
Features
- Closed-back Planar Magnetic Headphone
- New, Innovative Dual-Mode Bass Port and Gorilla Glass technology
- Same lightweight frame as DCA's Stealth and Expanse headphones
What's In the Box?
- Dan Clark Audio E3 Headphones
- VIVO Cable
- Compact Carrying Case
- Cloth Headphone Bag
- Headphone Information Guide
- Certificate of Authenticity
FAQ
How do Dan Clark Audio Headphones compare to other high-end brands like Meze Audio and HiFiMan?
Dan Clark Audio (formally MrSpeakers) headphones are often considered among the top-tier offerings in the high-end headphone market, competing favorably with other prestigious brands like Meze Audio and HiFiMan. Known for their innovative planar magnetic designs, Dan Clark Audio headphones are frequently praised for their exceptional clarity, detailed soundstage, and comfortable fit. While Meze Audio is often lauded for its stunning aesthetics and warm, musical sound, and HiFiMan for its wide soundstage and value proposition, Dan Clark Audio generally distinguishes itself through its focus on cutting-edge technology and meticulous tuning.
Specifications
- Weight
- 455gr
- Impedance
- 27ohms
- Sensitivity
- ~90 dB/mW
- Distortion
- < 0.1% ref 80dB White Noise