Dan Clark ÆON CORE Headphone Review

[kazuviking]

What gives an acoustic metamaterial its special properties is the geometry which, according to DCA, took a significant amount of research.

I'm pretty sure its an app that automatically generates the shape after fr sweeps of the raw driver just like how cheap plastic cough iem resin shells are made. After looking at the patent i'm sure of it.

 

[Chagall]

"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.

Well, DCA headphones are very competent, distortion is low, and the tuning is very close to target. They actually did the work....so no, not random gobbledygook.

 

[AndreaT]

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

Why balanced “isn’t a thing for HP”? Amirm calls it that way…

 

[BrooklynNick]

Why balanced “isn’t a thing for HP”? Amirm calls it that way…

It is certainly "a thing" for headphones as much as it is for speakers. In both cases, it provides little or no benefit to most setups. Many headphone amplifiers have more gain and lower output impedance thru the balanced output, so it is worth considering if your headphones need that.

The Aeon Core has high sensitivity and will almost certainly not need the extra gain.

 

[amirm]

Why balanced “isn’t a thing for HP”? Amirm calls it that way…

In majority of cases, balanced is equiv to nearly 4 times the output power. So while its balanced feature is without much value, its power output definitely matters.

 

[ALeg]

@amirm , how about build quality? Do they have the same robust premium feeling to it? I remember that stepping down from Expanse to Noir X was a bit painful to me (but E3 were totally cool).
Additionally, is the space between ear and driver sealed like in Expanse / Stealth? Or the resistance is lower like e.g. in E3?

Thank you. Another great headphones and just in time when I am looking for closed backs

 

[Dan Clark]

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)?

No AMTS, but a few tricks derived from it that don’t take space.

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.

We don’t pay Head-fi for videos. Our sponsorship of Head-Fi is public on the site where it clearly states we’re a sponsor. The sponsorship pays for banner ads, that’s it. We pay for CanJam, but nothing for videos.

I don’t want to speak for Jude as to his motives in doing these at no charge, but his enthusiasm to share new headphones he enjoys with head-fi users always makes it fun to do these with him.

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.

They’re similar yet very distinct, with notable differences in upper bass and upper midrange that give a distinct feel to each.

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.

It’s not at all, you’re free to use the ideas for non-commercial use, and we’re totally OK with it. It’s also the law, so even if we weren’t ok it wouldn’t matter, though I appreciate the thought behind that.

It’s 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.

We just received the patent notification and will be updating the patent number soon! But regardless, anyone is free to use the ideas for non-commercial applications, so if you do have fun.
.

 

[amirm]

@amirm , how about build quality? Do they have the same robust premium feeling to it?

It has an incredibly robust feel. I have had it now for a few months, used almost daily, with no sign of wear.

 

[BrooklynNick]

We don’t pay Head-fi for videos. Our sponsorship of Head-Fi is public on the site where it clearly states we’re a sponsor. The sponsorship pays for banner ads, that’s it. We pay for CanJam, but nothing for videos.

Thanks for clarifying that. I've asked Head-Fi several times about other videos and got no response, so I assumed they were paid infomercials. (And that would not necessarily be bad, but should be disclosed.) I'm very glad to be corrected.

 

[BrooklynNick]

It’s not at all, you’re free to use the ideas for non-commercial use, and we’re totally OK with it. It’s also the law, so even if we weren’t ok it wouldn’t matter, though I appreciate the thought behind that.

Glad to see that you are still true to your DIY roots.

 

[zonk]

The prices in Europe for Dan Clark products are in my opinion not attractive:
- Noire X: 1198€ (1380$)
- Noire XO: 1399€ (1612$)
- E3: 2459€ (2833$)

 

[amirm]

The prices in Europe for Dan Clark products are in my opinion not attractive:
- Noire X: 1198€ (1380$)
- Noire XO: 1399€ (1612$)
- E3: 2459€ (2833$)

Do they include VAT?

 

[zonk]

Do they include VAT?

The prices are with VAT included.

 

[Chanur]

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.

Awesome thank you. I do want a closed back to be my next purchase.

 

[Bookbear]

Sadly, I’m thinking about selling my Ether 2s with Matrix mini-4 Pro. I just don’t use that kit or most of my IEMs. The convenience of wireless AirPods Max gen 2 or AirPods Pro (and their complete ecosystem integration) and really good sound with a bit of EQ overrides the need to sit still and endure ambient noise presence. It is with a heavy heart…

What of your iem collection are you considering selling?

 

[ExUnoPlura]

What of your iem collection are you considering selling?

I’m thinking of selling the costly DC Ether 2s + Matrix HP amp, not the IEMs. The IEMs I don’t use but don’t think it’s worth the time/effort to sell them: Moondrop Mays (w/DAC) and Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red. You can get them for cheap and they are quite good, just rarely worth the effort to plug in IMHO. Once in a while on a long-haul flight I use the Mays. They have fairly good passive noise isolation.

 

[amirm]

The prices are with VAT included.

That explains the difference then.

 

[CDMC]

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 used various Sennheisers over the past three decades. Last were the Massdrop 58x version with the Harmon curve applied. The upgrade to the Aoen X (older version of what reviewed and not as good) was enormous. Before having done so, I would have said spending $500+ on headphones was stupid. Having done so a splurge for myself, I would say they are an incredible value.

 

[solderdude]

At 104dB/V this is as sensitive as a HD600 but requires 21x as much current (and power).
To reach 120dB peaks you will need 6.3V (2.4W).

 

[Chanur]

I have used various Sennheisers over the past three decades. Last were the Massdrop 58x version with the Harmon curve applied. The upgrade to the Aoen X (older version of what reviewed and not as good) was enormous. Before having done so, I would have said spending $500+ on headphones was stupid. Having done so a splurge for myself, I would say they are an incredible value.

This is what I was looking for. Thank you!

Also @solderdude I love your site. Thought about buying some stuff from you but I'm in the US.