About the Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Open-back
A certified high-end headphone classic
A certified high-end headphone classic
Years ago, Dan Clark Audio — then known as MrSpeakers — made their first major mark in the audiophile headphone world with the AEON series. The original AEON headphones proved the San Diego company could create planar magnetic 'phones that performed as well as planars that cost three times as much. This sequel proved hat founder and lead designer Dan Clark could further improve on that.
A portable folding design and a completely redesigned driver system make the lightweight AEON 2s even better than their predecessor. Dan flipped the driver structure 180 degrees to keep the magnet out of the sound path to your ear, improving the airflow. (Trivia note: these headphones served as the main headphones in our personal listening in Crutchfield HQ's "relaxation station" — powered by the formidable iFi Audio Pro iCAN Signature headphone amp.)
Open-back vs. closed-back
I've listened to both the open-back and closed-back version of the AEON 2 headphones. Both offer a spacious soundstage with tremendous depth and sense of place. If you're choosing between the two, they sound similar enough that I would base the decision on how and where you plan on listening.
The closed-back version offers more listening privacy, so it works better in more places. But I prefer the sound of the open-backs if you mainly listen at home or in a room where you won't disturb others. There is a little extra airiness around the vocals and instruments that gives everything a more textured feel. The bass also sounded fuller and tighter through the open-back AEON 2s — which might seem counterintuitive.
Product highlights:
- open-air design for natural, transparent sound
- closed-back version also available
- collapsible folding design for easy storage
- planar magnetic drivers offer enhanced dynamics and rich, detailed sound
- tuned for warm, full tone with clear, articulate sound
- substantially large soundstage for an "outside-the-head" listening experience
- designed, built, and tested in San Diego, CA
Driver details:
- updated driver structure flipped to keep magnet further from ear
- powerful single-sided magnet for greater efficiency
- large planar diaphragm starts and stops quickly for clear, articulate sound
- built-in TrueFlow™ technology helps reduces turbulence of air moving through the driver
- enhances dynamics and extends frequency response
- a separate headphone amplifier is required to properly power these headphones for optimum sound quality
Build quality:
- durable metal frame
- earcups made of lightweight carbon fiber and hard plastic
- thick "D-shaped" memory-foam earpads lined with soft synthetic protein
- super-light, flexible NiTinol "memory metal" headband for easy fit
- leather headband lining with dual slider for easy adjustment
- feels lighter on head than most over-ear planar magnetic headphones
General info and specs:
- 6-foot detachable, fabric-covered cable with a 3.5mm miniplug
- screw-on 1/4" adapter
- special sound tuning inserts for three levels of acoustic damping
- micro-fiber cleaning cloth
- hard-shell carrying case
- sensitivity: 94 dB
- impedance: 13 ohms
- weight: 11.32 ounces
- warranty: 2 years
- Our 60-day money-back guarantee
- MFR # AOX001-2
What's in the box:
Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Open-back owner's manual
- Over-ear headphones (Red/black)
- 79" Audio cable (3.5mm plug)
- Screw-on 1/4" adapter
- 3 Pairs of tuning inserts
- User Manual
- Certificate of Authenticity
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More details on the Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Open-back
Features & specs
| General | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fit Style | Over-the-ear | |
| Earcup Type | Open | |
| Earcup Width x Height | 3.365" x 4.742" | |
| Noise-canceling | No | |
| Bluetooth | No | |
| Bluetooth Version | N/A | |
| Single-earbud Operation | No | |
| Mic For Taking Calls | No | |
| Voice Assistant Access | ||
| Amazon Alexa | No | |
| Google Assistant | No | |
| Siri | No | |
| Connectors | ||
| 3.5mm | Yes | |
| 1/4" | Yes | |
| Lightning | No | |
| 4.4mm balanced | No | |
| XLR4 balanced | No | |
| 2.5mm | No | |
| Other | None | |
| Specs | ||
| Frequency Response | Not Given | |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | |
| Impedance | 13 Ohms | |
| Weight | 11.57 ounces | |
| Cord Length | 79" | |
| Parts Warranty | 2 Years | |
| Labor Warranty | 2 Years | |
Product Research
Features
Overview: The Dan Clark Audio ÆON 2 (AF2) is an over-ear, open-back planar magnetic headphone with a bold metallic red finish. It features carbon fiber earcups, synthetic protein leather ear pads, and a new gimbal design that lets you fold and store them in its compact case. The headphones are manufactured in the U.S. (San Diego), and come with a 79" (2-meter) fabric-covered cable (3.5mm plug with 1/4" adapter).
Planar Magnetic Drivers: The ÆON 2 uses a 2nd generation 62mm x 34mm single-ended planar magnetic driver with V-Planar Technology™. V-Planar knurling deeply creases the diaphragm, which enables a larger percentage of the driver to move as a flat surface. The driver moves more air at low frequencies, giving it better dynamics, high-end frequency response, and lower distortion. The drivers are matched to +/- 2dB to the target curve, and channel matched to 0.5dB between 100Hz and 7kHz. The new drivers provide higher resolution and a much larger soundstage. Total Harmonic Distortion is < 0.3% (20Hz-20kHz) and 0.1% (100Hz-8kHz).
Burn-in Period: For optimum performance, the drivers require a "burn-in" period to enable the headphones to reach their full potential. Burn-in requires the continuous playing of audio through the headphones for several days. During this period, the internal parts of the drivers are "exercised" so they can settle in to their respective places in order to deliver optimum audio performance. The recommended burn-in period for the ÆON 2 is 50 to 100 hours.
Open Back Design: The ÆON 2's open-back design sounds more like a pair of speakers in a room than do closed-back headphones. The soundstage is deeper with a more intimate focus, putting you closer to the performance. Open-back headphones offer no blockage of external noise, so you'll want to use the headphones in a relatively quiet space. Some of the audio may be heard outside of the headphone, which is a consideration if listening near other persons.
Tuning: The ÆON 2 headphones come with tuning materials to let you customize the sound of your headphones. Three pairs of pads are provided for inserting in the ear wells of the headphones. It is recommended that, instead of going back and forth, you should listen to each option over an extended time to fully understand the differences. The tuning pads are as follows:
- Black Foam: This black foam ear pad is the most porous and provides the least amount of damping. The foam pads increase the upper bass output and tone down the highs a bit.
- Black Felt (1-notch): The black felt ear pads with a single identifying notch provide a medium amount of damping.
- White Felt (2-notch): The white felt ear pads with dual notches have the most amount of damping of the three sets of pads.
Construction: The ÆON 2 headphones features genuine carbon fiber ear cups to house the 62mm x 34mm (2.44" x 1.34") planar magnetic drivers. Two thin NiTinol memory metal bands hold the ear cups together, and provides the right amount of pressure on the head. NiTinol is a Nickel Titanium metal alloy that returns to its original shape, even after being severely bent. The soft dyed leather headband lies softly on the top of the head while the Japanese Synthetic Protein Leather covered foam ear pads provide a good seal.
Ear Pads: The soft memory foam ear pads provide comfort for extended listening sessions. The inside D-shaped cutouts for your ears are spacious (1-5/8" wide x 3-1/8" high), and angled for a more secure and comfortable fit.
DUMMER Cable: The Dan Clark Audio ÆON 2 comes with the 79" (2 meter) detachable DUMMER (Distinctly Un-Magical) cable, which features a 3.5mm plug with a screw-on 1/4" adapter. The fabric-covered Y-type cable features 4-pin connectors on the headphone end. Upgraded premium VIVO cables are an option (directly from the manufacturer) with your choice of balanced or unbalanced terminals.
Collapsing Gimbal: The headphones feature a new collapsing gimbal suspension lets you fold each earcup inside of the headband, so you can store them in the supplied case.
Storage Case: The headphones come with a black molded, hard-side, clam-shell case for storing your headphones (with the cables removed). The case has a 3-sided zippered closure.
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