Only ONE of these headphones is the right choice... DCA E3 review
Рет қаралды 5,102
Buy Dan Clark Audio E3: danclarkaudio.com/e3.html
More about the DCA tech in the E3: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p9aAlpN9ut7HaZ8.html&pp=ygULaGVhZC1maSBkY2E%3D
And some more about AMTS in the Stealth review: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mqqFbJqFnLWro5s.html&pp=ygULaGVhZC1maSBkY2E%3D
Missed the Liric 2 review? Here you go: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mZZxataHx7KZqnk.html
Buy from Linsoul to support the channel! bit.ly/LinSoul
Get your Passion for Sound merchandise: passion-for-sound.myspreadshop.com.au/
A review of the Meze Audio Liric 2 closed back planar magnetic headphone including frequency response measurements and comparison with the Dan Clark Audio E3 headphone.
My top recommended HEADPHONES (prices in USD)
HarmonicDyne Athena - $179 - bit.ly/3QvQdlq
Moondrop Para - $299 - bit.ly/3QvQdlq
Sivga SV023 - $449 - amzn.to/3UKXsZ5
Meze 109 Pro - $799 - amzn.to/3y6l6qi
ZMF Atrium - $2,499 - www.zmfheadphones.com/
Meze Elite - $4,000 - bit.ly/3UMIDWb
Focal Utopia (2022) - $4,999 - amzn.to/44xEHvx
My top recommended IEMS (prices in USD)
KZ ESX - $30 - amzn.to/4bpMyxC
Tangzu FUDU - $89 - amzn.to/3UvOrlk
Simgot EM6L - $129 - amzn.to/4a3SLy1
Thieaudio Elixir - $209 - amzn.to/3ULd9zr
7Hz Timeless - $220 - amzn.to/3QslVA8
Yanyin Canon II - $379 - bit.ly/YanCanII
Xenns Mangird Top - $530 - bit.ly/XENNSTopLin
Sennheiser IE600 - $700 - amzn.to/44AxcUQ
Sennheiser IE900 - $849 - amzn.to/4b66wxy
Westone Mach 70 - $1,400 - amzn.to/3ULUK5P
My top recommended TRANSPORTS (prices in USD)
WiiM Pro - $168 - amzn.to/4bpTDOw
SMSL PL200 CD - $669 - amzn.to/3Wsd0lJ
Eversolo DMP-A6 (Master Edition) - $1,299 - amzn.to/44sBMUR
Eversolo DMP-A8 - $1,980 - amzn.to/3QxRU1B
My top recommended DACS (prices in USD)
Topping E30 II - $149 - amzn.to/3JQyGkd
Topping E50 - $199 - amzn.to/3WucWSO
SMSL DO200 Mk2 - $469 - amzn.to/4a5Di0C
Topping D70 Pro OCTO - $599 - amzn.to/4a8bubZ
Geshelli J2S AK4499EX - $680 - bit.ly/J2SAKM
Schiit Bifrost 2/64 - $799 - www.schiit.com/products/bifrost-1
Gustard R26 - $1,650 - amzn.to/3QyZ0mB
Schiit Yggdrasil - $2,299 - www.schiit.com/products/yggdrasil
Chord TT2 - $5,295 - chordelectronics.co.uk/product/hugott2
My top recommended HEADPHONE AMPS (prices in USD)
Schiit Magni - $119 - www.schiit.com/products/magni-unity
xDuoo MT-604 - $169 - amzn.to/4bpNYrW
xDuoo TA-26S - $319 - amzn.to/3UJbfzx
Geshelli A3 Pro - $499 - bit.ly/GLA3Pro
Aune S17 Pro - $699 - amzn.to/4a75v7b
Schiit Mjolnir - $1199 - www.schiit.com/products/mjolnir-3
Burson Audio Voyager - $5,300+ - bit.ly/4a8Mwcq
My top recommended DONGLE DACS (prices in USD)
Moondrop Dawn Pro - $50 - amzn.to/3y2dd57
Simgot DEW4X - $80 - amzn.to/4b68rlK
Questyle M15i - $349 - amzn.to/4doMSyp
My top recommended WIRELESS 'PHONES (prices in USD)
Soundpeats Air3 Deluxe - $40 - amzn.to/3UIXQr4
Soundpeats Air4 Pro - $79 - amzn.to/3Wyj4tj
Edifier Neobuds Pro 2 - $130 - amzn.to/3WwMpEf
Sennheiser Momentum 4 - $379.95 - amzn.to/3WrEqZ0
HiFiMan Svanar Wireless - $499 - amzn.to/4amOhmx
Join the Passion for Sound community on Patreon: www.patreon.com/passionforsound
or here on KZfaq: kzfaq.info/love/93TsVvp47ZNKKywT0l2BlAjoin
Join the public Discord server: discord.gg/tMryJaeq
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
Join my Patreon: www.patreon.com/passionforsound
One-off donations: paypal.me/lachfen
Buy some merchandise: shop.spreadshirt.com.au/passion-for-sound/
Or put one of these links in your bookmarks for all of your future purchases of ANYTHING:
🌏 Linsoul: tinyurl.com/PfSLinsoul
🇺🇸 & 🇨🇦 Apos: tinyurl.com/Apos-P4S
🌏 Geshelli Labs: geshelli.com?ref=10
🌏 Sparkos Labs: shrsl.com/3t7rp
🌏 HiFiGo: bit.ly/3og89Tn
🌏 Aoshida: bit.ly/Aoshida
🇺🇸 Amazon: amzn.to/3dtyiWQ
🇨🇦 Amazon: amzn.to/3xUl1Rc
🇦🇺 Amazon: amzn.to/2U7lqOp
🇬🇧 Amazon: amzn.to/3xaUMo
🌏 Hidizs: bit.ly/HidizsP4S
🌏 Meze Audio: bit.ly/MezeAudioP4S
🌏 Ikko: bit.ly/IkkoP4S
(Affiliate links help to support the channel - thank you!)
Like the music in this video? You can get it here: www.epidemicsound.com/referral/ofkioc/
00:00 Introduction
01:38 Sound quality
03:41 Sound isolation
04:34 DCA E3 vs Meze Liric 2
18:13 Sound summary
20:51 E3 design, comfort & accessories
24:58 Updated DCA tech
26:18 Wrap-up
#audiophile #audioreview #headphones
@ipman8646 Ай бұрын
I am glad to see reviewers now giving credence to 'the experience' instead of just technicalities. Hearing every detail in a recording with super clean resolution gives you a 'wow' experience and is definitely a part of the audiophile journey, but at some point you just want rich balance and emotion and are willing to give up some details to get that experience. Can't wait to do my second CanJam this year so I can continue on my journey. For me there is no 'end game', just a fun hobby that evolves. I also revisit my lower tier gear occasionally and find enjoyment when synergy is spot on (e.g. old Sony DAP with IE600).
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
Great point that synergy can be more important than ultimate fidelity!
@W1LLi4m_ 21 күн бұрын
I love your attitude.
@ImreImbrium Ай бұрын
I personally found the E3 overly power hungry and shouty. The higher register was pushed back in favor of strong mid-bass and bass. You had to turn them up a bit too much to get to the mids and treble to come up to listening volume, and that made the lower registers much too loud. I loved the build, they are very nicely made headphones. I just did not jive with their sound.
@turbomustang84 Ай бұрын
After DCA posted on Facebook what seemed to me as begging for investors I decided they weren't for me. I know several people that have them and really praised them but rarely actually use them
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
Some of the research they are doing would take a lot of time and, possibly, expensive equipment. I didn't see the post, but I imagine there was good reason. As for people not using them a lot, that's how I would see them living in my collection (if I were to buy them): a headphone I appreciate intellectually, but don't reach for because other headphones are more enjoyable.
@turbomustang84 Ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound if a company makes a superior product at a reasonable price that should be all the funding they need IMHO but they were not offering a return on the money it was more like panhandling
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
I didn't see it and don't know the circumstances so can't comment. I just know that product R&D can be a very expensive process when there is new technology and approaches in play.
@Daryl42 13 күн бұрын
@@turbomustang84DCA asked for capital? The owner must be a capitalist.
@SpykerSpeed Ай бұрын
I own the E3 and I must say you nailed it when you described how you would EQ it. The headphone is capable of adapting to EQ incredibly well.
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
Thanks for confirming my hunch about EQ on the E3!
@carlsitler9071 Ай бұрын
I got the $180 copy (same driver and wooden cup) of a $1000 open back planar magnetic (M570).
@DirectorsGarage Ай бұрын
Hey Lachlan, one thing I noted reviewing these is how difficult the E3 is to drive. I found them to be power hungry which defeated the wonderful compact take-it-anywhere design. I do think these are the best tuned Dan Clark headphone ever, even better than both the Stealth and Expanse. The Meze would be my preference because I can drive them direct with a DAP.
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
That's a great point! I found the Mojo 2 (as an example) was up to the task, but many dongles will struggle so the compact form factor of the headphone gets negated by carrying a larger source (as you said). 🙂
@arthurhaywood2184 Ай бұрын
If connecting to the music on an emotional level to you is of primary importance, I think that might actually prefer the ZMF Bokeh at almost half the price!
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
I'm hoping to try those soon!
@user-es3hq5zk4e Ай бұрын
The E3 is the best headphone I have ever heard bar an estat.,no surprise that they sound great as they measure great...
@jack4321able Ай бұрын
Off topic here but awaiting anxiously to hear your impression of the new Raal Immanis Head Phone compared to Susvara and other TOTL cans...........................
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
I'm hoping I can get to review them too!
@aRc11-11 Ай бұрын
Another expensive "trap". All we have is a hodge-podge, cut and paste things called recordings. You need some colorations just to swallow the glop.
@michaelrossmaessler200 13 күн бұрын
Headphones are just speakers for the head. Colorations just mask problems with the other equipment in the chain.
@neilsnyder7915 Ай бұрын
I much preferred the e3 to the liric 2. Not even close in terms of technical performance, image placement, or staging. I love Lachlan and know him well but his sound profile preferences are the exact opposite of mine. When I texted him as to which headphone to buy, he replied definitely the E3 even though he preferred the Liric 2. Gotta know which sound profile you like most. 🎉 I must also tell you that 🎉own the Liric 1 and they are awful, they sound extremely veiled. Another issue for me is that the ear cups are so small that they constantly had my ears touching the driver cover. This constantly caused me to fiddle with them to avoid being annoyed by the fit. The Liric 2 seems to have the same cups so if you have larger ears please be aware.
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
Glad you're happy with the recommendation, Neil. For others reading this, I don't agree that the E3 are technically superior. They're tuning just highlights details in the top-end more and creates perceived detail, IMO. Ultimately, both headphones are extremely strong, but with quite different points of emphasis.
@chungang7037 Ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound I agree. And many headphones that can do that I find very fatiguing after a while anyway, so any perceived benefits one might get from that boost to the top end is negated pretty fast, not to mention that it is murder on instrument timbre and sounds unnatural.
@marcustomlinson3582 Ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound100% agree about the tuning giving the impression of greater technical ability. E3 has unnatural upper mid emphasis imo
@james_tiberius_kirk73 Ай бұрын
I'm pretty much sold on buying a pair of Focal Utopia 2022 in August after auditioning them and watching Passion for Sounds review (amongst others). I have a NAIM Unit Audio Headphone Edition (Nothing fancy) which I'm told will pair well with them. I was going to buy a pair of Modhouse Tungsten's but the wait is unfortunately, too long.
@JTB-- Ай бұрын
Be sure you research your audio chain first. I tried the OG Utopia and the Treble was murdering my ears. Very disappointing experience
@james_tiberius_kirk73 Ай бұрын
@@JTB-- Thanks JTB, valuable feedback.
@JTB-- Ай бұрын
@@james_tiberius_kirk73 No Problem. The Utopia are great HP's but they are very Amp picky. Put in some research on some good audio chains and you should be fine.
@TheVeganVicar Ай бұрын
I would STRONGLY urge you to buy a "cheap" pair of headphones immediately (such as the HiFiMan Edition XS or Sennheiser HD6XX) and wait for the Tungsten to arrive (as am I, since I have ordered a Tungsten myself). Unless one can find a VERY discounted or used Utopia, I would never even dream of buying it due to its weight, its uncomfortable headband (I'm bald) and its exorbitant price.
@coardcreatif Ай бұрын
My experience with Utopia 22 was terrible too. Sounded worse than Clear. Treble ripped my ears too. This was on Uniti Atom. HD 800S and Arya that i own was much better headphone. LCD-X was also step above Utopia. So it's luxury meaningless product imo and i disagree with Lachlan on Utopia.
@ggproductions7078 Ай бұрын
are you using a rodecaster? Nice mic sound sir.
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
I think this was a Rode Podmic video into a Scarlett 2i2 V3. I'm mixing things up though so there'll be some different sound (not better in some cases ☹️) on the next couple of videos.
@ggproductions7078 Ай бұрын
ta@@PassionforSound I saw it was a podmic which is what made me wonder what you were putting it through. Some nice post EQ work, nice job.
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
There's actually very little post needed with that chain. From memory, I've got a multi and compressor adding a little low end (for that SM7B type sound) and a slight cut in the mids to help my vocal tone (I can get a touch nasal on some mics). Other than that, it's just a de-esser to take some spice out of the sibilants. I think the positioning of the PodMic is really important though. It's got to be close enough to lift the lower end and slightly off axis seems to help too. 🙂
@ggproductions7078 Ай бұрын
interestingly@@PassionforSound well, to me at least, I just watched your "snake oil extravaganza" video and I still have a preference to what you have done with the podcaster. W have two of the podcasters and I don't think we have managed to get even close to your quality.
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
That's really interesting! I wonder what the difference is?
@chronometa Ай бұрын
E3 for me. But ill have 4 total so it fits in the slot I need it to
@TheVeganVicar Ай бұрын
Nice choice but if only it was VEGAN. :(
@Cp48533 Ай бұрын
What sound does your top make?
@TheVeganVicar Ай бұрын
It seems like a 150Hz fart.
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
It's the soundwave of "Passion"
@ornobislam5106 Ай бұрын
Hi there. Please review the new Audio technica Ath-Awkg as well. Its a closed back hp
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
I'd love to. Just need to get Audio Technica to start sending out review units.
@chungang7037 Ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound I don't think they do. I noticed that their last gen closed backs never even got reviews on youtube by the usual suspects, no one seems to have known they existed
@ZeroofAgrathalm Ай бұрын
Every one of the DCA I have tried sounded overdampened and dynamically dead. Sure the frequency response was balanced but it came at the loss of the music's soul I guess you could say. Hard pass for me i went with the zmf Bokeh and do not regret my decision one bit.
@neilsnyder7915 Ай бұрын
I agree in general. However the E3 is significantly better and MUCH better than the Bokeh as a closed back for me. I like a detailed headphone with lots of sparkle treble. While the soundstage is somewhat smaller and they have slightly forward mids, they do a very good job for a closed back. Ironically, I am not a fan of zmf or their tuning. I know Lachlan well and he knows my sound profile, which is totally the opposite of his.😅
@ZeroofAgrathalm Ай бұрын
Definitely a solid take, to each their own. I tend to index very highly for dynamics so DCA in general is kind of a no-go for me, I'm more of a fostex, first gen focal, and zmf kind of person.
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
I think the E3 step closer towards dynamics and engagement than some other DCA headphones, but I also think you made the right choice in the Bokehs based on what you're describing.
@chungang7037 Ай бұрын
@@ZeroofAgrathalm It could be your preferred genres that are playing a role as well. My Aeon 2 and Noires would have been be fine if I listened to nothing but electronic music. But my experience with them was the same as you, overdamped and dynamically dead with any music with acoustic instruments; flamenco and classical guitar sounded like compressed samples, for example. The body of the instruments that you hear live was sucked out of the presentation, which was really weird. I think I understand now why so many muscians are uninterested in audiophile gear, because they probably heard their own music through gear like this and were very unimpressed.
@aceofspades6667 Ай бұрын
You can get a focal radiance for $700. I wish someone in AU could send you a pair so you could benchmark against this pair.
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
I'd like that too!
@HercahyoAdiSaputro Ай бұрын
ZMF bokeh are as good across categories (except in microdetails) with half price (and easier to drive as well).
@chungang7037 Ай бұрын
and look insanely good...😉
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
I'm keen to try them properly. (I've only heard them in show conditions so far)
@Alinho295 Ай бұрын
Are they a significant upgrade over Dan Clark Noire 2?
@user-mu6uy6ly6e Ай бұрын
Yes indeed
@neilsnyder7915 Ай бұрын
I'll 2nd that.
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
I'll say yes and no. On technicalities, absolutely. On tonality, it depends on how you like your Aeons with the pads. The Aeons can be a much darker/warmer sounding headphone.
@guystpierrecomposer Ай бұрын
This wood block being a sample is very obvious on apple AirPod pro… and probably on any headphone ;) … but I’m a musician. I’d love to compare those close back! Nice review as usual!
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
Admittedly, I didn't check the same track on poorer quality cans. I felt the E3 showed some nice nuances to the sound in general, though. 🙂
@tracehazarrrrd Ай бұрын
Dry and analytical. They need to work on dynamics, feeling, musicality, vibration. They're basically opposite of Beyerdynamic and closer to Sennheiser. You really need special sauce emphasis to make headphones good. Too much neutrality is very bad for enjoyment. They need drivers that respond to power in a better way. Too hard to drive properly. I used Aeon Noire as a daily driver for years. Also, I like their tuning (for things like metal, they have good PRAT), but the drivability is very bad. The drivers should respond to power in a much more efficient way and produce enjoyable tuning that is not analytical. Textures need to be 'wetter', give you information from the music that is thick and drenched in detail as well as movement. Not exactly Focal which is too much of this. Even Hifiman is slightly analytical. Beyers give you spice and the drivers respond perfectly to input--this should be the goal.
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
@chungang7037 Ай бұрын
I had a chance to demo the Arya Organic, and was super hyped to do so because of the hype around that headphone, but I was very unimpressed. They sounded like the Noire you mentioned, but with a wider stage, and boosted highs. I wondered what exactly was organic about them.
@tracehazarrrrd Ай бұрын
@@chungang7037 I have Aryas, they're much better. The biggest problem with the Noire was the soundstage, it's small because they think people want to use them on a plane or something. It's tough dealing with a super small soundstage. Ayras need power or the bass doesn't fill in. Aryas are slightly bright, but I use a tube so. They sound fine with movies. Maybe these new Dan Clarks are good with a bigger cup and stage.
@aaronfriedman8201 Ай бұрын
Man you are an Orphan amoung reviewers liking the Lyric over the E3. What they do say you need powerful amplification. They emphasized just getting an amp that gets you to loudness you like is NOT enough.
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
That's not unusual, I find. I tend to favour emotional engagement over technicalities/neutrality which is part of the reason. As for amplification, that's the same old story. Every time we get a headphone that is leaner than neutral in the bass, we get the cries of "it needs more power". I've run the E3 from amps with 7W and 10W available and they are still the same headphone I've described. What people are actually saying is that it needs a warmer/fuller sounding amp, but that's got nothing to do with power.
@DaSixSixOne Ай бұрын
Confirmed.. with EQ and lots of power, the E3 really shines… more punch and impact with no increase in distortion. They don’t get bloated either. I really enjoy it.
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
Thanks for confirming!
@chungang7037 Ай бұрын
What do you need to drive them?
@eminent2003 Ай бұрын
hilou
@nick_g Ай бұрын
Never DCA for me. Sound lifeless every time
@Mr1stcat Ай бұрын
Same for me, I auditioned the dca E3s and they sounded dry, analytical and dull/lifeless so I picked up the liric 2s and I'm loving them ❤
@nick_g Ай бұрын
I tried almost every DCA model at a canjam. Not the E3 though. All of them were lifeless and dull. I noticed ppl listening to them were all sitting still. Fails the “head bop” test. DCA outshone by so many others at the show
@TheVeganVicar Ай бұрын
@@Mr1stcat, I had precisely the OPPOSITE opinion when I directly compared the two. I eventually purchased the OLLO closed-backs, since the E3 is not vegan. :(
@PassionforSound Ай бұрын
I think the E3 has more of the dynamics that some other DCA headphones have lacked, but I still feel that other headphones have more soul.
@JohnnyADi Ай бұрын
@@TheVeganVicar media.tenor.com/Qn_rKXG2ALcAAAAM/toothless-dragon.gif
MAMU TECH
Рет қаралды 263 М.
Александр Мальков
Рет қаралды 2,9 МЛН
MaviGadget
Рет қаралды 10 МЛН
Павел Хмурчик
Рет қаралды 129 М.