Dan Clark ÆON CORE Headphone Review

[imagidominc]

"Sir, another DCA headphone has just hit the wallet"

 

[dasherzx]

So are the differences merely superficial over something like the noire x

 

[mishachakir]

So are the differences merely superficial over something like the noire x

Apparently the difference in sound is less than 10%, even compared to the E3.

 

[Dan Clark]

So are the differences merely superficial over something like the noire x

Not at all. Different tone to there midrange, different tonal balance, different construction, different weight. Is it as different as looking at a HiFiman? No. Is it clearly different, yes. I think it's safe to say everyone who compares will have a preference, which way that goes will depend on what they're after.

 

[cgraczyk]

Is a case included with the Core? Will the case fit the headphones and cable?

 

[Mango]

It seems that the folded tech has been dropped on the AEon core, any design reasons for that? Perhaps to give it a bit more stability/rigidity?

 

[HalSF]

Is a case included with the Core? Will the case fit the headphones and cable?

No case, part of the effort to keep the cost down.

 

[Maiky76]

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

Not much the score changes from 100.3 to 100.4 after rounding.
There is a teeny-tiny (<0.16dB) more HF which makes the non-rounded error slope shallower.

 

[Hapo]

...how would this compare to AEON RT closed...???...

 

[SennTheBest]

This is very good. I can see the intention, or at least how it will sound to me in this measurement graph, which would be very enjoyable.

Pity that I do not intend to own any DCA headphones anymore, after owning Ethers, Aeons, and E3.

 

[dasherzx]

As someone who has the expanse/stealth/e3/corina, i wonder what would be the next one to try out

 

[Robbo99999]

...how would this compare to AEON RT closed...???...

The frequency response is very different so you can see that if you load up a frequency response measurement of the Aeon RT so they'd sound really quite different. They'd probably sound pretty similar if you EQ'd the Aeon RT to the Harman Curve though, but not exactly the same.

 

[dananski]

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$)

The Aeon Core just popped up on Scan for £950. That's $1264, or $1055 + tax.
Noire X is £1119 = $1491 (= $1242 + tax) so it looks like the Brits may have it worse.

However, it's possible to order direct from DCA. There is a 2 year warranty that sounds equal to the EU standard one, and can use local distributors for servicing. Might be a better way to go.

 

[Dan Clark]

I was asked by a NOIRE X owner for a PEQ to the KB5000_7 target, this will work for both NOIRE X and XO. Hope people enjoy it...

F=2.6KHz Q=5 -2.5dB
F=5Khz, Q=2, +2dB

 

[Rayman30]

I use my Noire X every day at the office (Best closed back I've used). Now with the Noire X we also have the Noire XO, will there be a Aeon Core Open?

 

[Hapo]

Struggling with the (for me) insane temptation to spend $900 on these, but they hit every bullseye — closed back, easy to drive, superb measurements and performance.

We’re gradually transitioning to a new home without the soundproof listening room I currently enjoy, where I have the ability to crank up my speakers without bothering neighbors or my partner. So the idea of embracing non-antisocial music playback on this level as a compensation gift to myself is looking very appealing…

...do it while you can still hear well enough to appreciate them...

 

[Hapo]

It is. I just got tired of using the proper name, differential, since the whole industry and users call it "balanced."

...like "point blank", eh...

 

[mishachakir]

Dan Clark Audio Aeon Core Review: A Spacious Closed-Back Planar

Dan Clark Audio Aeon Core Review: A Spacious Closed-Back Planar The Dan Clark Audio Aeon Core closed-back planar headphones deliver spacious imaging, balanced midrange detail, and a forgiving treble response in a premium aluminum-and-wood design.

majorhifi.com

 

[HalSF]

Dan Clark Audio Aeon Core Review: A Spacious Closed-Back Planar

Dan Clark Audio Aeon Core Review: A Spacious Closed-Back Planar The Dan Clark Audio Aeon Core closed-back planar headphones deliver spacious imaging, balanced midrange detail, and a forgiving treble response in a premium aluminum-and-wood design.

majorhifi.com

This generally positive subjective review offers some fairly sharp criticism of the Aeon Core’s bass performance:

“While the lows have some clarity from the foundation of the bass tone, it never seems to hit very hard. Bass notes can have some vigor to them, but the timbre is always very neutral. On the right tracks where there’s a strong bass instrument, like an upright bass or an electric string bass, the lows emerge with depth and body. However, the response is still very soft…”

Is there anything in the measurements that supports this charge of fundamentally wimpy, somewhat anemic slam-less bass that fails to summon a vigorous, accurate low-end impact when the recording offers it?

 

[NTK]

This generally positive subjective review offers some fairly sharp criticism of the Aeon Core’s bass performance:

“While the lows have some clarity from the foundation of the bass tone, it never seems to hit very hard. Bass notes can have some vigor to them, but the timbre is always very neutral. On the right tracks where there’s a strong bass instrument, like an upright bass or an electric string bass, the lows emerge with depth and body. However, the response is still very soft…”

Is there anything in the measurements that supports this charge of fundamentally wimpy, somewhat anemic slam-less bass that fails to summon a vigorous, accurate low-end impact when the recording offers it?

It is just someone's random opinion. Another opinion came from the owner/reviwer of this site, who is a board certified basshead. Whose opinion do you trust?