Four years in the making, this design sets a new reference for Dan Clark Audio, featuring the company's all-new 4th generation planar magnetic driver and breakthrough Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS) inside large ergonomic closed earcups - a natural extension of the Aeon 2 shape, but larger - combined with a redesigned headband that the company says is a big step up in comfort. A new auto-adjusting suspended, pre-formed strap design makes Stealth hassle-free to wear, spreading the weight evenly across the head.
Dan Clark, the company's founder and CEO details a bit more about the tuning system devised for this project, Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS): "All headphones are subject to standing waves in the higher frequencies, and these can make treble sound harsh, fatiguing, or synthetic. AMTS is our patent-pending solution to this perennial problem. AMTS is an inline device placed between the transducer and ear. It integrates waveguides, diffusion control, quarter-wave, and Helmholtz resonators into one compact structure."
The main goal for AMTS is to reduce standing waves so high frequencies are rendered more accurately. "Diffusion elements system reduce some standing wave formation while resonators act as both precision and broad filters to smooth and shape the frequency response, reducing the amplitude of response peaks and troughs from the midrange through the highest frequencies. The upshot is AMTS greatly reduces standing waves so high frequencies are rendered with a refreshingly smooth, accurate, and detailed delivery across all genres," he adds.
Of course, Stealth is intended to delight its owners with "the smoothest, richest, and most detailed experience" the company could create, and they started with making the new planar-magnetic drivers to be 20% larger than its existing E2 driver and explored an all-new system for a more uniform and consistent diaphragm tension. This also supports better driver matching, while FEA and CFD optimized motor structures increase driver force uniformity and smooth acoustic paths to reduce distortion.
The new driver delivers incredibly low distortion throughout the listening range with levels of detail 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 industry-leading resolution free from the fatiguing emphasis on the top register users may be used to. Together, our 4th-generation motor and AMTS deliver a sonic performance best described as “effortless"," Clark describes.
And to be worth of the price tag - not unusual for this segment - the overall design and choice of materials needed to create an impression. “We set out to make Stealth a real design statement,” says Dan Clark. “Made of stylish matte-black leather, carbon fiber, machined aluminum, Stealth design takes its cues from Stealth aircraft and is finished to levels you’d expect in the finest of luxury cars.”
Dan Clark Audio selected vegan suede, and Japanese synthetic "leather" for the ear pads, using carbon fiber, titanium, and machined aluminum in the shells, self-adjusting suspension, and lightweight chassis. The top grade black leather headband, with embroidered Stealth logo, features fine red stitching to create a quilted head-strap that’s not only functional but comfortable. And the design removes the mechanical sliders for fit adjustment using a "self-adjusting suspension system” instead.
This makes it even lightest in the category. With just 418g, the Stealth should be perfect for extended listening sessions. When not in use the Stealth, neatly folds into a compact custom-molded case that’s easy to stow. Each Stealth unit is designed and built by hand in San Diego, California, and is backed by the company's quality and support warranty.
www.danclarkaudio.com
