In this video I take a proper look at the Dan Clark Audio NoIR XO—what I’m calling the most “complete” DCA headphone to date, and (for my preferences) the best thing they’ve produced. I’d heard it at Munich in a show environment and couldn’t be conclusive, so Dan sent the XO in for real listening at home. I go through the unboxing, the fold-flat portable design, the comfort (which is genuinely exceptional), and I also roll in an interview clip with Dan explaining AMTS—how it shapes the highs and kills standing waves so cymbals sound like “tang” instead of crunchy hash. Sound-wise, the XO follows a Harman-leaning tuning, but it’s Harman with actual fun. Sub-bass is elevated, authoritative, and satisfying; mid-bass hits hard for electronic without stomping the mids; and the midrange stays open, clear, and crystalline. I do call out two treble areas to watch—around 6–7k and 16–18k—because on certain tracks that can get spicy or even “needle-like” for my ears, especially with poor masters. On my main chain (Mass Kobo 465, Chord Dave/M Scaler), the XO comes across as DCA’s most musical all-rounder, with strong imaging and a stage that sits in that HD800S/Elite/LCD-5 conversation—just different, not “better or worse.”