Introducing the brand new Dan Clark Audio Stealth closed back headphone. It has been four years in the making, where Dan Clark went back to the drawing table to develop a new planar magnetic driver (4th generation), from the tensioning of the diaphragm all the way to the mechanical design of the driver. This is the thinnest driver (incl. the magnet structure) for DCA today and roughly 30% larger than the Ether 2 driver. New in the mechanical design is the usage of 15 magnets per driver and TrueFlow V2 technology for an even better performance.
This closed back headphone has even more exciting technology, as the cup is very heavily dampened to exclude any standing waves, eliminating excessive energy in the system. The most exciting breakthrough technology is placed in front of the driver, which has never been done before: Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS), which we will explain further in detail.
Dan Clark did not stop there but als redesigned the ergonomics and comfort of the headphone by redesigning the headband.
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. It integrates waveguides, diffusion control, quarter-wave, and Helmholtz resonators into one compact structure. Diffusion reduces some standing wave formation while resonators act as both precision and broad filters to smooth and shape the frequency response, smoothing the sound from the midrange through the highest frequencies. Basically acting as an integrated series of waveguides, for a whole new natural staging and listening environment.
Stealth’s planar driver delivers incredibly low distortion throughout the listening range with levels of detail heretofore found primarily in the top-of-the-line electrostatics. Unlike many headphones where “detail” is created through exaggerated high-frequency energy, Stealth’s AMTS delivers resolution free from the fatiguing emphasis on the top register users may be used to. Stealth’s 4th-generation driver and AMTS deliver an amazing balance of delicacy, nuance, and slam that will have you reaching for all your favorite recordings, and maybe staying up a bit too late.
Stealth sets a new standard for soundstage of closed back headphones. It is all enveloping and can compete with even the finest open headphones in depth, width, and imaging. It’s that effortless sense of space and instrument placement that lets Stealth “disappear” so you can simply relax into your musical experience.
If a headphone is not comfortable enough to wear for extended listening the design is flawed. Stealth’s ergonomic and stylish ear cups is a natural extension of Aeon 2 ergonomics with a more comfy fit and softer ear pads. Stealth weighs in at just 415g making it one of the lightest super-premium headphones on the market. Throw in Stealth’s new vegan suede and “leather” ear pads, self-adjusting suspension, and Stealth is so comfy you can just ignore it and “vanish into your music.” Finally, for storage or travel we incorporated our elegant folding gimbal into Stealth, folding it into a compact case that’s small and easy to stow.
Performance
Driver: 62mm x 34mm single-ended planar magnetic
Driver matching: 0.25db weighted 20-10,000Hz
THD: less than 0.03% 20-20KHz, ref. 1KHz at 90dB
Headband: Nickle-Titanium
Baffle: Carbon Fiber
Ear Pads: Synthetic Suede and Leather
Dan Clark Audio Stealth MSRP €4799 incl. VAT (incl. 3m Vivo cable)