Dan Clark ÆON CORE Headphone Review

[badziew]

Hello,
I'm the owner of Core with S/N P00748, the one with reversed polarity in the left side driver.
@6speed I could not pin the issue down myself, but I have noticed the extremely unfocused voices and softer than expected bass. So yeah, it's real.

 

[HalSF]

@Dan Clark - I'd like to as about the issues with QC w/ regards to reversed polarization, discussed on Polish Audiofanatyk blog and on Head-Fi topics. Is there anything ongoing to make sure those are not happening?

On Audiofanatyk, he actually ran the test for two different samples, one (P00748) has the reversed polarity issue on one driver and the second (P00948) is polarized correctly, but has higher THD than the first one.

It would be slightly offputting to order a pair for $899 overseas and have to RMA due to reversed polarity. In this price point, cutting back on QC is not a good idea.

Links, please? I’m not finding any discussion of this issue at Head-Fi.

 

[Feelas]

Links, please? I’m not finding any discussion of this issue at Head-Fi.

Brief mention on Head-Fi: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/dan...asurements-the-interview.980511/post-19168155

 

[HalSF]

Brief mention on Head-Fi: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/dan...asurements-the-interview.980511/post-19168155

Thanks. How about the Polish posting link(s)? I’m curious to find out how or why this is still an ongoing or unresolved issue.

I assume you saw Dan Clark’s response on the HeadFi thread back in June, below the post you linked to:

“That looks odd, but I have no idea how that is possible. I just went and looked at the line and ran a physical test and everything is fine. Also, a phase plot like that isn't ideal, a simple impulse response is usually easier and clearer. Here is the impulse response on the AP, it's clearly correct. I also verified with visual inspection on an open driver. I also spot checked 5 units from production.

“While I won't say ‘it's impossible’ your unit is out of phase, given how these are assembled I don't know how this is possible. Accordingly I suspect something else is going on here. PM me and we'll continue this offline, please.

“EDIT: I believe your unit is SN 519, correct? Your unit's measurements are below, and you can see phase is correct. We have your measurements and your unit is in-phase. Still, contact me offline and we'll figure it out. ”

 

[Feelas]

Thanks. How about the Polish posting link(s)? I’m curious to find out how or why this is still an ongoing or unresolved issue.

I assume you saw Dan Clark’s response on the HeadFi thread back in June, below the post you linked to [...]

There you go: https://audiofanatyk.pl/dan-clark-a...ze-na-warsztacie-i-kazdy-z-wlasnym-problemem/ - also @badziew is the owner of the faulty pair (P00748) mentioned on the blog.

Indeed I noticed Dan responding on the Head-Fi topic, which also raises a question as to how it passed through the QC, despite measurements being done. One starts to wonder what kind of other QC issues might be going through... I am not hinting at anything; it just shows that maybe the QC/QA part requires some overhaul or minor tweaks going forwards.

And the higher THD+N on the second pair (P00948) issue still stands.

But that is still a concern from a potential buyer, let it be said, given those have a very strong value proposition. I hope @Dan Clark can clear up how they're preventing this from happening in the future and how this is handled in general. Given those are well into the "premium" pricepoint, it might be hard to obtain a big-enough sample size to verify otherwise.

 

[Robbo99999]

@Dan Clark - I'd like to as about the issues with QC w/ regards to reversed polarization, discussed on Polish Audiofanatyk blog and on Head-Fi topics. Is there anything ongoing to make sure those are not happening?

On Audiofanatyk, he actually ran the test for two different samples, one (P00748) has the reversed polarity issue on one driver and the second (P00948) is polarized correctly, but has higher THD than the first one.

It would be slightly offputting to order a pair for $899 overseas and have to RMA due to reversed polarity. In this price point, cutting back on QC is not a good idea.

I know it's not really a proper solution to the point you mention, but I think some EQ programs let you reverse the polarity of the audio stream and perhaps even maybe on a per channel basis too. I think this might be possible in EqualiserAPO to name one. But I appreciate it would just be a band aid.

 

[Feelas]

I know it's not really a proper solution to the point you mention, but I think some EQ programs let you reverse the polarity of the audio stream and perhaps even maybe on a per channel basis too. I think this might be possible in EqualiserAPO to name one. But I appreciate it would just be a band aid.

I understand that on Audiofanatyk folks fixed the issue by using a flipped polarity cable for one channel, which is also a cheap & fast no-brainer solution, but inconvenient regardless.

 

[Robbo99999]

I understand that on Audiofanatyk folks fixed the issue by using a flipped polarity cable for one channel, which is also a cheap & fast no-brainer solution, but inconvenient regardless.

Ha, yeah, a flipped polarity cable is even better!

 

[ngs428]

I the specs in post #2 have ~97 dB/mW, they are actually ~94 dB/mW per Dan in the post linked below.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/dan...asurements-the-interview.980511/post-19159366

 

[lesser5024]

Yeah, unfortunately mine has the polarity inversion issue as well. DSP is definitely the easiest fix, and that's what I'm currently doing (Linux Easy Effects). I do like the cable, so maybe I'll re-solder it at some point as a more permanent option, but it feels a bit excessive to go that far when I'm not exactly planning to take it anywhere. Overall, though, I'm still a little bit sad about it.

 

[badziew]

Yeah, unfortunately mine has the polarity inversion issue as well. DSP is definitely the easiest fix, and that's what I'm currently doing (Linux Easy Effects). I do like the cable, so maybe I'll re-solder it at some point as a more permanent option, but it feels a bit excessive to go that far when I'm not exactly planning to take it anywhere. Overall, though, I'm still a little bit sad about it.

Could you please share the serial number of your unit?

 

[badziew]

I understand that on Audiofanatyk folks fixed the issue by using a flipped polarity cable for one channel, which is also a cheap & fast no-brainer solution, but inconvenient regardless.

Yep, with a fair helping of premium materials and improved ergonomics. Stock Dummer cable feels like a rat's tail and overall, it's passable and nothing more.

 

[HalSF]

I’m waiting to hear an updated response from Dan Clark. Meanwhile, as an Aeon Core owner, really not enjoying the sharp manic pivot in this thread from “great new headphone!” to “sadly questionable botch with unacceptable quality-control failures not to mention a mediocre stock cable that reminds me of nasty filthy rats!”

 

[badziew]

Worst thing about all this is that I very much like how these sound... I felt more boxed in using Hifiman HE600, and those were open, for crying out loud :< even compared to AKG K1000, Core doesn't feel like a closed pair of cans.
Bass is about perfect in terms of amount, and I can't complain about its quality.
Midrange is great, with forward vocals having proper timbre, exactly how I like it.
Treble isn't piercing at all despite being nice and clear.
Comfort is a cherry on top, no complaints there either.
All in all, I hope these QC issues can be definitively resolved.

 

[Feelas]

I’m waiting to hear an updated response from Dan Clark. Meanwhile, as an Aeon Core owner, really not enjoying the sharp manic pivot in this thread from “great new headphone!” to “sadly questionable botch with unacceptable quality-control failures not to mention a mediocre stock cable that reminds me of nasty filthy rats!”

More likely the pivot is to "well I would happily throw my dollars at you if you manage to persuade me those QC issues are under control despite being in the wild so I don't have to RMA them overseas for a months or so".

 

[Selkirks]

Worst thing about all this is that I very much like how these sound... I felt more boxed in using Hifiman HE600, and those were open

Really? My HE600 have a much more open sound than my Noire XO and previously owned Noire X. If I buy the Core they will sound more open than the Hifiman?

 

[ngs428]

Love reading about these issues as my Aeon Core is delivering tomorrow. The phase seems like a basic issue that should never happen let alone on a $900 pair. I’ll certainly be doing a phase test and RMAing if they fail. I saw a THD issue reported here too.

Dan Clark Audio Aeon Core - dwa egzemplarze na warsztacie i każdy z własnym problemem - Audiofanatyk.pl

Dan Clark Audio Aeon Core to uproszczony model słuchawek z serii Aeon, mający w teorii dać nam dobre właściwości w dobrej cenie. W teorii.

audiofanatyk-pl.translate.goog

 

[Purité Audio]

Thanks. How about the Polish posting link(s)? I’m curious to find out how or why this is still an ongoing or unresolved issue.

I assume you saw Dan Clark’s response on the HeadFi thread back in June, below the post you linked to:

“That looks odd, but I have no idea how that is possible. I just went and looked at the line and ran a physical test and everything is fine. Also, a phase plot like that isn't ideal, a simple impulse response is usually easier and clearer. Here is the impulse response on the AP, it's clearly correct. I also verified with visual inspection on an open driver. I also spot checked 5 units from production.

“While I won't say ‘it's impossible’ your unit is out of phase, given how these are assembled I don't know how this is possible. Accordingly I suspect something else is going on here. PM me and we'll continue this offline, please.

“EDIT: I believe your unit is SN 519, correct? Your unit's measurements are below, and you can see phase is correct. We have your measurements and your unit is in-phase. Still, contact me offline and we'll figure it out. ”

It appears that the manufacturer measures each unit, and the phase is correct, at least when they left the production line.
Keith

 

[NTK]

It is easy to test. Having the left and right drivers in opposite polarities is very easy to tell. Attached are two WAV files with 100 Hz test tones.

You can easily generate your own using Audacity. Procedure:

• "Generate" → "Tone ..." : Settings: Waveform = Sine; Frequency = 100 Hz; Amplitude = 0.1 (you don't want full volume); Duration = 00 h 00 m 03 s
• Select the above generated track, duplicate it by "Edit" → "Duplicate"
• Unselect both tracks. Then select one of the tracks, invert its polarity by "Effect" → "Special" → "Invert"
• Use the L/R panning slider to pan one track all the way to the left, and pan the other all the way to the right
• Select both tracks, render into a stereo track by: "Tracks" → "Mix" → "Mix and Render"

Now you have a stereo track with left and right channels in opposite polarities. You can "File" → "Export Audio ..." to save to a WAV file or other formats.

You can also generate a stereo audio file that has the L & R channels in same polarity by skipping the 3rd step in the above procedure (invert polarity of one of the 2 tracks).

 

[Feelas]

It appears that the manufacturer measures each unit, and the phase is correct, at least when they left the production line.
Keith

Wondering whether that is for the raw driver(s) or post-assembly (thru the connector)?