Dan Clark Audio Ether CXFrom real comments

Name: Dan Clark Audio Ether CX
Rating: 2.1 (7 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 7 mentions across 7 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment29%

PROS 29%

CONS 71%

Rank based on 7 mentions across 7 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You own a powerful amplifier capable of driving demanding planar headphones
You want detailed, revealing sound that faithfully follows your music's mastering quality
You're willing to commit to an extended 200-300 hour burn-in period before judging it

What users love

Exceptional clarity and detail when properly driven0 mentions

Strongly positive

Accurate, source-following bass0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You want strong bass and dynamics out of the box without EQ adjustments
You're evaluating headphones quickly and can't commit to a long burn-in period
You're sensitive to bright treble tuning

What users complain about

Demands a powerful amplifier0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Lacking bass and dynamics for some listeners0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Perceived as overpriced0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Requires an unusually long burn-in period0 mentions

Generally negative

Bright tuning turns off some listeners0 mentions

Generally negative

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31Premium

Dan Clark Audio Ether CX

Accurate, source-following bassExceptional clarity and detail when properly drivenBright tuning turns off some listenersDemands a powerful amplifierLacking bass and dynamics for some listeners

Dan Clark Audio Ether CX

Accurate, source-following bass

Exceptional clarity and detail when properly driven

Bright tuning turns off some listeners

Demands a powerful amplifier

Lacking bass and dynamics for some listeners

Comfort
1. Sennheiser HD 490 Proarrow_upward11
2. Apple EarPodsarrow_upward10
3. Shure SRH1540arrow_upward8
Sound quality
1. Apple EarPodsarrow_upward12
2. Apple AirPods Pro 2arrow_upward8
3. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700arrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Shure SRH1540arrow_upward6
2. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700arrow_downward3
3. Sennheiser HD 490 Proarrow_downward3
Noise cancellation
1. Apple AirPods Pro 2arrow_upward8
2. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700arrow_upward7
Wide soundstage
1. Philips SHP9500arrow_upward9
2. Denon AH-D9200arrow_upward4
Detailed sound
1. Philips SHP9500arrow_upward10
2. Dan Clark Audio Ether CXarrow_upward1

Overall Impression

Power delivery makes or breaks the Ether CX experience. Commenters stress that as a planar magnetic headphone, the Ether CX needs substantial raw power from the amplifier, not just volume headroom, to control its drivers properly. One listener compared it directly to the HIFIMAN HE-6se, running both off the same high-power amp, and found that once properly driven, the Ether CX delivered stunning clarity and detail with bass that faithfully tracked the source material rather than adding artificial boost.

Burn-in requirements are unusually demanding for this headphone. A commenter pointed out that Dan Clark Audio officially recommends 200 to 300 hours of burn-in for the Ether CX, and personally felt even that wasn't enough. This makes the headphone a poor candidate for quick unboxing or first-impression reviews, since its true sound signature may not emerge until well after purchase, potentially skewing early opinions of its bass and dynamics.

Bass, dynamics, and tuning draw mixed reactions. One owner described the Ether CX as lacking in bass and dynamics, calling it half-baked for the price and suggesting better alternatives exist, though EQ adjustments helped somewhat. Separately, another commenter reacted to a review labeling the headphone bright, stating that tuning alone would be enough to rule it out for their preferences, despite otherwise being open to the purchase.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

visibilityExceptional clarity and detail when properly driven

1 mentions

Strongly positive

With adequate amplifier power, listeners report stunning clarity and detail from the planar drivers. The headphone faithfully reveals the quality of the source material rather than masking flaws.

@73split

When are people going to learn. Planar headphones like power and lots of it. These are actually a wonderful headphone but they need power in order to shine to their full potential. I run them off the same amp I use for the hifiman he-6se, the Flux- FA-10. And like the hifiman He-6se these headphones shine when properly driven. Volume levels are not what I’m talking about. These will get plenty loud on lesser equipment. I’m talking about pure raw power to control the drivers. If you want easy to drive headphones with a typical V shape tuning then these are not for you. These headphones are about stunning clarity and detail. And they have plenty of base if the music has plenty of base, they don’t add squat. If your music is good, you will hear it. Consequently, if your music sucks and is poorly mastered you will hear it.

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January 31, 2022

graphic_eqAccurate, source-following bass

1 mentions

Widely praised

Rather than adding artificial bass boost, the Ether CX reproduces whatever bass is present in the recording. If the mastering has strong bass, it comes through clearly.

@73split

smart_display

January 31, 2022

powerDemands a powerful amplifier

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

As a planar magnetic design, the Ether CX needs significant raw driving power to control its drivers and reach its full potential, not just enough volume. Casual or lower-power setups won't unlock its best performance.

@73split

smart_display

January 31, 2022

trending_downLacking bass and dynamics for some listeners

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One owner found the bass and dynamics underwhelming out of the box, requiring EQ correction to compensate. They felt the headphone was half-baked given its asking price.

@AndyFord73

I have these headphones and they are lacking in bass and dynamics. A little EQ can fix the bass but they are a bit half baked in my opinion. You are paying for the name and for the price there are much better options out there.

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January 31, 2022

attach_moneyPerceived as overpriced

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A commenter felt buyers are paying largely for the brand name, arguing that better-performing options exist at the same price point.

@AndyFord73

smart_display

January 31, 2022

hourglass_emptyRequires an unusually long burn-in period

1 mentions

Generally negative

Dan Clark Audio's own recommendation calls for 200 to 300 hours of burn-in, and one commenter felt even that wasn't sufficient, making quick reviews or first impressions unreliable.

@arthurhaywood2184

These are not good candidates for a \"What's in the Box\" segment. Did you even bother reading DCA's recommendation for these headphones? They require an extensive burn-in period of 200 to 300 hours. IMHO, they require even more than that.

smart_display

February 1, 2022

warningBright tuning turns off some listeners

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter reacted to hearing the headphone described as bright, stating it would be enough to remove it from consideration despite otherwise being interested.

@JMAudioEditions

so basically bright review man thank you! I would have considered these but I dont like bright

smart_display

January 31, 2022

Dan Clark Audio Ether CXchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

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What users lovefavorite_border

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What users complain aboutheart_broken

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Who wins on what

Comfort

Sound quality

Build quality

Noise cancellation

Wide soundstage

Detailed sound

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Dan Clark Audio Ether CXFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression