I tried out several open back designs before getting to the Aeon 2. I was about 5 minutes into my demo when I felt like the search was over! I've now had my Aeon 2 for about six months and I still have that initial excitement from my demo. They present a wonderful soundstage, with the openness you want from an open back design and good, deep bass (I'm thinking of Flight of the Cosmic Hippo here), sizzle on the top end ( Art Blakey's cymbals on Quick Trick) and mid-range (Nina Simone Feeling Good, wow!). They are also eminently comfortable and easily transported due to their clever collapsible design, headphone cable and connector selection and carrying case (I transport them in their case twice a week and have no issues). These are great headphones!
By
Ryan
Posted on
Dan Clark Aeon 2 vs Noire - Best Closed Back Under $1000!?
Rating
100%
https://youtu.be/bAoop4utX_s
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By
Mad Audio
Posted on
Aeon 2 Long-Term Review
Rating
100%
First, hats off to the whole DCA team. This is a product full of innovation and user-experience mindfulness combined. These headphones have some punch-up sound quality and, with the shear convince factor, these should shoot to the top of anyone’s wishlist.
I have owed these for about 10 months now and would like to express my thoughts having tried many different headphones and personally owning a pair of HD800S and LCD-X (2021). I also have tried all of my headphones on several DAC/amps such as a Fiio M11 DAP, xDuoo XA-10 DAC/Amp, a Schiit Lokius EQ, and a Schiit Valhalla II tube amp.
Let's first just get this out of the way: these are the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn. Many reviewers agree, these are top tier in comfort due to the combination of a lightweight build, a perfect head-clamp mechanism, and luxurious faux-leather pads.
These are light. Under 330 grams for a planar set? Yes please! The innovative use of materials keeps the weight down considerably. The headband suspension itself is made of Nitinol, a super memory alloy. This is an exotic material in itself; retaining exact material shape and stiffness over high deformations and repeated cycles. It’s a true modern wonder-material and this is such a novel use for it. Accompanying that is the slide adjust leatherette strap which distributes the weight across very effectively. Last are the pads, which are some of the ‘gooey-est’ I have felt. Super soft memory foam wrapped in an equally soft leatherette with plenty of form to give. The result is a “soft-enveloped” feeling I haven’t felt on any other headphone. I can wear these for hours on end, and sometimes feel bad taking them off, like I’m leaving a nice hug.
Next let’s talk about the folding mechanism. This is engineering at it’s finest. A double pivot system collapses the headphones into a space half the size of the in-use product. But it’s as much HOW that collapsing feels that has me impressed. The use of the Nitinol lends to a satisfying ‘snap’ feeling every time I put these away. I can’t describe it, you just have to try it yourself.
The case is very well constructed. I have had no issues with durability. Again, Nitinol is here to offer another trick as it acts as a perfect spring to absorb shocks when stowed away in the case.
I’ll let the pros wax endlessly about the sound of this pair. All I’ll say is the tone is completely mid-ground. Nothing seems dramatized and everything sounds balanced across the full audio spectrum. I won’t lie, both the HD800S and LCD-X each bring more to the table in their respective regards. The HD800S are considerably more detailed and spacious than the Aeon 2. And the bass quality and scale are better on the LCD-X. But the Aeon 2 is a good allrounder. I never feel I have to add anything with the Lokius than maybe a bass shelf. Out of the box, there is a good thump to the low-end, decent bass extension, a balanced mid, a slightly warm treble. The imaging is a bit lobular (L/C/R), but still quite precise to be sure. I would say the highlight, sound-wise, is the tonal balance and timbre of most instruments that helps create a more euphonic experience vs raw analytical precision. This is especially true on the Valhalla II tube amp.
My only complaint really is the sensitivity. I can get this headphone 80% to it’s peak with a mid-fi DAP (Fiio M11). This is perfect as a work DAC and a walking player. Combined with the build and weight of the Aeon 2, I basically couldn’t ask more of a get-arounder set of cans.
Overall, this is an absolutely fantastic pair of phones that warrant at least a listen and a high ownership recommendation from a long time user.
By
Ben C.
Posted on
A fantastic headphone with great customer support for experienced headphone enthusiasts! enthusiasts!
Rating
100%
I'm 19, a graduate of the class of 2020. Music has always been my stress reliever. I'm kind of addicted. When I found out there's an entire world of equipment to bring my music to life, I was IMMEDIATELY hooked. I saved up money and searched for the BEST pair of headphones I could get, believing at the time that "the best headphone" was some objective measure. I found the Aeon 2s. I loved how they looked, and every reviewer I watched had something interesting to say about them, so I bit the bullet and bought a pair. I wanted to use them with the Ifi XDSD Pro, being that the Aeon was advertised and structured around being a portable headphone, I figured that would be a great pairing from the reviews on both. BIG mistake. I had no idea what I was doing, and didn't realize exactly how powerthirsty the Aeon 2s were. Pretty soon, I lost interest in them, and they remained in their little DCA case for months. I'd pull them out every once in a while to see how they compared to the newest additions to my growing headphone collection, but never really gave them a chance. Then, one night I was listening to them and somehow a bracket snapped. That was the last nail in the coffin for me. They went untouched for a number more months. A lot changed for me in those months. I recently reached out to DCA's email to see if I could buy some brackets to fix them. A few days later, the brackets are on their way totally free (Thank you, Sue!). Today, I got to hear them again like it was the first time with a new set of Amps and DACs to test them on (Topping E30/L30 and Geshelli Labs J2/Archel 2.5 Pro). This sucker needs power like my grandma needs box wine, but it does so much that my other headphones don't. As I grew into the hobby, I found more and more headphones that raise the bar for me, but I always found myself bored with too much of the same. The Aeon 2 is my new favorite palate refresher. Sometimes you get so used to the bells and whistles, they stop being interesting. The Aeon reminds me what it's like to come back down to Earth. It has a small soundstage, but uses that space perfectly. It presents bass with a deep, throaty rumble that doesn't have too much THUD but makes up for it with its unique presence. The only way I can think to describe the bass is comparing it to oil. It's thick and dark, but slippery and never dense. Perfect for everything from glossy Pop to the grimiest Trap. The mids are never understated. You can actively and easily hear the delivery of both male and female vocals. Breath, cadence and annunciation in every type of recording I put them through comes out absurdly clear. The treble is the only place I wish the Aeon 2s were altered. There is a tinge of sibilance and some sharpness in the consonant range on some hotter recordings. Hi-hats and cymbal claps can also come across a bit brightly tinged. However, none of this makes listening to them uncomfortable, it's simply a personal preference. I love a relaxed sound, and a solid 70% of the tuning of the Aeon 2s is wonderfully relaxed, but it seems like the folks at DCA made a minor trade for more detail resolution over a more relaxed sound, which I cannot be upset about at all. These cans are excellent for people WHO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING. This is far from a beginner product, and probably not a great choice for portability since you'd need a small car battery in your pocket to get this thing jumpin, but for those looking for a great at-home closed-back headphone with some FANTASTIC performance, this is it. Can't wait to see what the folks at DCA do next.
By
Gabriel
Posted on
Amazing detail
Rating
100%
These headphones are truly detailed. The bass is really what i was looking for. I will say please burn them in like Dan suggests. They are a different headphones after i let them burn in. The bass is far more transparent.
Much love to you all
By
benj
Posted on
I can hear sounds I never heard before.
Rating
100%
I am 21, and I got interested into audio upon first hearing a pair of Foster TH-X00’s when I was 17. I then started modifying headphones, to a pair of Beyer T1’s and making a Monolith M1060C open back. However, it wasn’t enough until I got the Aeon 2 Closed. Incredible resolution, way better dynamics compared to last gen, good soundstage for a closed back. These sound like a live performance that is “acoustically treated”. Dry, but extremely articulate in the midrange and detailed everywhere. If you coming Frim Sub $800 headphones you will notice sounds that we’re drowned out or never heard before. Another thing: These need a good seal and lots of current, whereas the low impedance does not seem to work well with portable/cheaper gear. The iFi XCan is the best option for portable use. These don’t need that much voltage since they are low impedance. Just current monsters, but that’s a good thing. The cleaner power you feed these, the better they sound. I also use the thinnest damping (black foam) to calm the high treble (around 8-10k range where the most fatigue is). No damping can get fatiguing for long listening, but the thicker ones seem to drown out micro and macro-dynamic detail whereas the black foam just subtlety calms the treble. This depends on preference though. The white felt definitely does make this headphone Warner, but less detail in the highs and micro detail in the further-out sound stage. Overall though, very technically impressive and very musical with the right DAC/Amp and seal. Although they are on the dryer side, but fun. Some may not like this but I find this to be my preference due to the amount of detail I can hear, I can actually hear what the soundstage is doing and with good recordings I can sometimes imagine what the shape of the studio is, something I was never able to do with any other headphone, at least with my ears. Try these. If you came from a cheap planar, I can tell you, you will not be disappointed. Happy listening :) Also, Dan please keep doing what you’re doing with the comfort, these are the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn. I can wear these for hours and hours. Also looking to try the perforated pads in the future and other products you make. This is my first Dan Clark/Mr. Speakers product, it will not be my last. I will buy more when the money is right. Thank you for your efforts in engineering and craftsmanship. I love the carbon fiber and red color (it’s growing on me).
By
Dom
Posted on
Break in time and first impression
Rating
100%
First 10-20 minutes I was questioning my investment. Yea I said it. Do I have your attention? I’m at hour 10 now as I write this, still well in the break-in period but I currently believe these headphones sound better than any speakers I have ever owned. The dynamic range, physically impactful bass, and outstanding detail is also second to no other headphone I have heard under 5K. Buts that’s just my taste.
The first song I played immediately had the bass but the highs were horribly shrill. Well now I see what they mean by letting them break in. It didn’t take too long but once the treble calmed down I didn’t want to take these beautiful headphones off. So be sure to allow a second impression later if buying new.
I’m using the Vivo balanced cable with Schiit gear and my laptop streaming Qobuz. Waiting on a Ragnarok and it’s full power balanced out to (carefully) hear what these cans can really do.
I would buy the Aeon 2 (closed) again at full price if I accidentally left them on a plane. So that’s my review.
By
Gregory
Posted on
Just one more song...
Rating
100%
You know that moment when you are listening to great music where all of a sudden you're smiling? That moment is the Aeon 2s. From the first note to the last you are treated to incredible separation and a seemingly endless soundstage, I had never heard anything this good from a headphone. I could go on about how good they sound, but you can read that elsewhere, just know the Aeon 2 sound phenomenal. Another plus is comfort, these headphones are just so comfortable you really don't think about them, they’re that good.
If I had to find a negative, I might say how the foam can roll within the ear pad is a bit annoying. Yes, I know there is a video on how to fix the ear pad and the steps from the video do work, it is just a bit annoying how frequently the steps need to be repeated, and that it happens at all.
Overall, the Aeon 2 is a triumph of comfort and sound that have had me thinking “I’ll just finish this song, then I’ll get up” on many occasions.
I would give them 5/5 stars, but the star selector is not working at the moment.
By
Moses
Posted on
Tremendous value, sonic excellence and total comfort
Rating
100%
My first set of planar headphones, closed design with the Vivo cable option and 4.4mm balanced connection. Paired with the iFi Zen DAC, via the Pentaconn balanced connector, the results are stellar. Did not even need to set the iFi output power-match to a higher level - these are easy to drive with standard level. Comfort is outstanding, and build quality is perfection. I look forward to going through all of my special MQA and high resolution music. Completely natural sound stage. Very impressed with the results and this is just day one. I tested out on a Klipsch Heritage headphone amp using a 4.4mm to XLR adapter without any loss of quality. Balanced is the way to go for the lowest noise floor for sure - so happy to have found these.
By
David
Posted on
Loving this headphone
I really enjoyed the experience of getting to know this headphone. It left me with a new appreciation for so much of many of my favorite albums, and the more I listen to the albums the more I hear them in a fresh light. The best thing to me is how well the headphone balances tonality, which seems both fun and natural, with resolution. Most of the time "resolution" equates to bright or sharp, but unlike too many of the headphones in my collection, here resolution is delivered without that hard edge making for a really great experience.