Dan Clark ÆON CORE Headphone Review

[totti1965]

What happens to preference score if you round to one decimal place?

I think it is o.k. as it is, because it is also standard in the measurements in spinorama.org: https://www.spinorama.org/ or in sharur´s PEQdB database: https://peqdb.com/
Two decimal places are just very slightly more unconvenient than one.
But you are right: Suggestions like Gain + 2,33333333 dB at Q 1,414213562 make absoluteley no sense... and would be a pain in the a... if you would try to type it by hand into your roon equalization-settings.

 

[EeeGee]

Thanks Amir for the great review.
How it compares to the e3?

 

[Chagall]

When you combine this with individual ear geometry and fit effects people can have pretty different experiences even though the meaurements appear similar.

So you are quite correct! There's a family resemblance, but they're not clones.

I don't doubt that at all. In fact, I would expect them to sound different in real life once individual ear geometry, fit, and seal are involved. That is really just a limitation of measurements compared to real-world use. But, to @staticV3 point, there probably isn't an easy way to pick one over another - without listening.

It seems you have made another banger, especially if they are more efficient. Still very much enjoying my E3!

PS Thank you for the review @amirm

 

[Selkirks]

In fairly new to the headphone hobby. How my Hifiman Ananada Stealth or Sennheiser HD6XX compare to this? Besides the build quality difference (I'm assuming) what would I gain by splurging for something like this? I'm starting to look at headphones around 1000 so this is right in that target range.

I have the Hifiman HE1000 Stealth, Sennheiser 660S2 and Dan Clark Noire X. The fit and sound of the DCA headphones are quite different than the others, in a good way. If you are looking for a closed back option they are a safe bet, end game for most people IMO.

 

[taotone]

Only 328g - definitely very tempting !!!

 

[Billy Budapest]

I have to say that at least from pictures, the materials and fit and finish look superb.

 

[Robbo99999]

I do really like what Dan Clark do with their headphones nowadays, they're just really good premium products close to or bang on the best headphone science out there. They look good & measure good, and now they've become a bit less expensive to purchase with this particular headphone, so it's a good move! I guess this headphone has the AMTS technology they use too, I'll check the posts?

EDIT: after checking the posts in this thread as well as the Dan Clark website I can't find anything official that says this headphone uses or doesn't use AMTS. @Dan Clark does this headphone use AMTS & do you think it loses anything by not using it (if it doesn't)?

 

[jhwalker]

There was a time when I tried to convince myself that I am a headphone guy and just need better headphones, now I have a Sennheiser HD800s and a Ananda Stealth, both rarely in use. Both sound great, but it turns out I am just not a headphone guy...

So I really hope I can quell the desire to get these, because they really look great

I used to buy headphones (a lot of them) because I wanted to listen to music and not disturb my husband. After he passed away, I realized I just didn't need them anymore :/

But my instinct is still to buy every one that comes out with a positive review

 

[Selkirks]

My only complaint with the AMTS tech is that the rectangular sections touch my left ear no matter what adjustments I make. It is manageable but gets uncomfortable after a while. I'd suggest trying the fit before buying if possible.

 

[Herbert Shooler]

DAN CLARK = DArN GOOD!

 

[AudioKC]

So with the $900 Aeon 2 Noire, $900 Aeon Core, and $1100 Noire X all measuring roughly the same, how should you pick one?

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It doesn't appear like the newer models are straight upgrades, otherwise the older models would surely be phased out or discounted but they're not

As I read it / see it, basically the same headphone. I have Noire, awesome product.

p.s. in term of bass reproduction, there is something special about planar headphones in bass region. Driver is so huge and powerful that it has distinct qualities in bass region that is difficult to explain.

 

[listener650]

I do really like what Dan Clark do with their headphones nowadays, they're just really good premium products close to or bang on the best headphone science out there. They look good & measure good, and now they've become a bit less expensive to purchase with this particular headphone, so it's a good move! I guess this headphone has the AMTS technology they use too, I'll check the posts?

EDIT: after checking the posts in this thread as well as the Dan Clark website I can't find anything official that says this headphone uses or doesn't use AMTS. @Dan Clark does this headphone use AMTS & do you think it loses anything by not using it (if it doesn't)?

My colleagues at Vienna High End right now have told me it does not have AMTS. I'm personally excited about this, both because it contributes to a reduced weight profile but also because I'll always prefer a more spacious front volume for the ear to sit in.

 

[BrooklynNick]

My only complaint with the AMTS tech is that the rectangular sections touch my left ear no matter what adjustments I make. It is manageable but gets uncomfortable after a while. I'd suggest trying the fit before buying if possible.


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The Aeon Core does not have AMTS, fyi.

 

[zonk]

Is it still that the earpads are glued to the headphone? That's a no go for me.

 

[cursive]

Dan always does a wonderful interview with Jude from Head-Fi on the release of new headphones, and this one is no different. I recommend checking out the full interview on youtube as it gives a lot of insights into his work with Sean Olive on measurements, as well as other material changes. Some highlights I noticed are, lighter weight, most sensitive DCA model yet, new tougher driver material that improves the V planar knurling, no amts etc. Quite interesting.

 

[BrooklynNick]

Dan always does a wonderful interview with Jude from Head-Fi on the release of new headphones, and this one is no different. I recommend checking out the full interview on youtube as it gives a lot of insights into his work with Sean Olive on measurements, as well as other material changes. Some highlights I noticed are, lighter weight, most sensitive DCA model yet, new tougher driver material that improves the V planar knurling, no amts etc. Quite interesting.

That is a good interview. However, I have a big issue with the fact that Head-Fi does not label what is almost certainly a paid for interview as such. This is not specific to DCA. It is a general problem with Head-Fi interview videos.

 

[kazuviking]

This is the patented Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS)

Its only pending as it does not not have a US patent next to it on the tech page like everything else. With current 3D printing and filaments it should be pretty easy to replicate at home.

 

[BrooklynNick]

Its only pending as it does not not have a US patent next to it on the tech page like everything else. With current 3D printing and filaments it should be pretty easy to replicate at home.

What gives an acoustic metamaterial its special properties is the geometry which, according to DCA, took a significant amount of research. So you could in theory measure it with a 3D scanner and then print an exact copy, but you could not easily develop your own without a measurement rig and a lot of trial and error. I think copying it would be tantamount to stealing DCAs intellectual property, in spirit, if not by law. Note that in the US, patents are not the sole protection for intellectual property.

 

[xaxxon]

Tempting as a companion to my Topping DX5…I guess I should get the 4 pin XLR cable for the 5.9 W balanced output, right?

"balanced" isn't a thing for headphones first of all, and second you just need enough power to get whatever volume level you need.

 

[xaxxon]

What gives an acoustic metamaterial its special properties is the geometry which, according to DCA, took a significant amount of research. So you could in theory measure it with a 3D scanner and then print an exact copy, but you could not easily develop your own without a measurement rig and a lot of trial and error. I think copying it would be tantamount to stealing DCAs intellectual property, in spirit, if not by law. Note that in the US, patents are not the sole protection for intellectual property.

"according to DCA, took a significant amount of research" is just the random garblygook that every manufacturer says so it doesn't look like they're falling behind everyone else who says that kind of stuff.