Dan Clark Aeon Closed X upgrade to Aeon Noire Closed

[Kevbaz]

I have been using some Dan Clark Aeon Closed X connected to my RME ADI-2 DAC.
I love the sound but wondering if it is worth upgrading to the Aeon Noire Closed, I do miss the open sound I have in Grado and Sennhieser HD660s, but prefer the tonality and comfort of the Aeon Closed X.

Does the Aeon Noire Closed have a more open sound to the Dan Clark Aeon Closed X. What are the improvements someone can expect from the Aeon Noire Closed.

Cheers
Kev

 

[Kevbaz]

Quick bump, has anyone any experience between the DCA Drop X closed and the AEOn 2/Noire close. It’s a big price jump and wondering if there is much gain.
Cheera
Kev

 

[Shadez]

There is a comparison on YouTube by DMS I believe if that helps at all

 

[Kevbaz]

There is a comparison on YouTube by DMS I believe if that helps at all

Thanks Shadez I will give that a watch today.
Kev

 

[tifune]

In terms of sound preference, I'm a bass addict so I like EtherCX but the square earpads notches would push me toward Noire if I were going to wear for extended periods (such as office environment). Noire sound quality is very close to EtherCX, within 10% to my recollection, but quite a bit more comfortable past the 1 hour mark. Im a XXL human, though, you may not experience the same level of discomfort with the CX.

What's your EQ look like, if any? And how loud do you listen? Because I keep the bass knob turned up, I've found a little more power is an easier/cheaper upgrade but that may not be relevant to you.

 

[Jimbob54]

Quick bump, has anyone any experience between the DCA Drop X closed and the AEOn 2/Noire close. It’s a big price jump and wondering if there is much gain.
Cheera
Kev

I have other DCA headphones but neither of these in particular. But they are both the same physical shape but different components. I would be surprised if you EQ both of them to the same target whether they could be easily discerned blind. Unless you cant/ wont EQ, I would suggest upgrading to the Noire wont be worth the price

 

[Chester]

I have the original Aeon Closed and the Noire if that’s of any use. The Noire is a fine headphone, seems to do most things right but since day one I’ve never really managed to be too excited by it. Maybe I had too high expectations. Personally I find the original Aeon Closed (with white filters) one of the most lifelike headphones I have heard. While the Noire in direct comparison does seem better at everything when you assess things individually, when it’s all put together, it just feels a tad bland. It’s an odd one for sure. It sounds better with OratoryEQ, really quite noticeably to me.

Take all this with a large pinch of subjective salt. I’ve only tested this using my own ears. Other ears may produce different results.

 

[Kevbaz]

Thanks all for the feedback, I listen at low volumes and not got my head around the RME EQ yet
I need to find a shop near me that stocks most of the DCA range to try out.
I will try to have a go with the EQ today and see if I can tweak it and see if it improves.
I love the liveliness and open sound of Grado, but also like the tonality of the DCA X closed. Also with my noisy kids I can’t use open headphones much ;(

 

[Kevbaz]

Is there any difference in design between the AEON RT and AEON 2, there is a big jump in price so wondering if it’s just better materials or improved driver/better damping of resonances in the cups.

 

[Jimbob54]

Is there any difference in design between the AEON RT and AEON 2, there is a big jump in price so wondering if it’s just better materials or improved driver/better damping of resonances in the cups.

Foldable for a start. The RT is based on the Aeon 1. The noire is an Aeon 2. Welcome to the world of hifi, price and performance are definitely not directly correlated.

EDIT- here is the differences in the 2 without EQ- the Noire far better hits the Harman target- more bass and more treble. They will definitely sound different- but as I said, with EQ that difference will massively narrow- and that assumes you prefer the Harman target sound. https://headphonedatabase.com/oratory/headphones?ids=297,170

 

[tifune]

Is there any difference in design between the AEON RT and AEON 2, there is a big jump in price so wondering if it’s just better materials or improved driver/better damping of resonances in the cups.

Well, if you're into the Harman target the 2 is tuned much closer. I assume you are since that's sort of DCA's signature at this point

AutoEq/RANKING.md at master · jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

Automatic headphone equalization from frequency responses - AutoEq/RANKING.md at master · jaakkopasanen/AutoEq

github.com

Typically FR has the highest audibility by far. Distortion tends to be low across the whole lineup. A few links that might be helpful:

Dan Clark Audio - Aeon 2 Closed Measurements

Subjective Impressions - Great ergonomics. Super comfy. Foldable headband is legit. (Though sometimes the suspension strap has a sort of hot spot on...

www.superbestaudiofriends.org

SoundStageNetwork.com | SoundStage.com - Dan Clark Audio Æon Flow 2 Closed Headphones

www.soundstagenetwork.com

 

[Snoopy]

Is there any difference in design between the AEON RT and AEON 2, there is a big jump in price so wondering if it’s just better materials or improved driver/better damping of resonances in the cups.

Different drivers. The RT still use the old design. If you can afford it get the noire. I love mine

But they definitely like a powerful amp. They work with a weaker amp as well but I feel like if you use them balanced with a good amp they really open up.

I'm using a Singxer SA-1 in high gain mode and for some songs I have the volume knob at 3pm.
That's without using a EQ.

I'm planning to upgrade to something like the Burson Soloist 3x performance in the future.

 

[aandres_gm]

Different drivers. The RT still use the old design. If you can afford it get the noire. I love mine

But they definitely like a powerful amp. They work with a weaker amp as well but I feel like if you use them balanced with a good amp they really open up.

I'm using a Singxer SA-1 in high gain mode and for some songs I have the volume knob at 3pm.
That's without using a EQ.

I'm planning to upgrade to something like the Burson Soloist 3x performance in the future.

I run my Closed X off an Apple Lightning-3.5mm dongle while on the go, and off a Topping A30 Pro. I don’t really notice any differences, tbh.

 

[Snoopy]

I run my Closed X off an Apple Lightning-3.5mm dongle while on the go, and off a Topping A30 Pro. I don’t really notice any differences, tbh.

Sorry to hear that? Don't know what to tell you .

 

[radix]

I had the Aeon RT for a while. I could never get them EQ'd to my liking. I always thought they were missing something, compared to the sound of my Sundara. The sound just was not as full. I got a pair of Noire today and I think they are better than the RT. I returned the RT before the Noire showed up, so cannot head-to-head compare them, but I think the Noire EQ'd much the same as the Sundara, using the Oratory Harman curves. I much prefer the Noire to the RT.

I've been listening to everything on a DX3Pro+, btw.

 

[doug2761]

I received my Aeon Noire today and have been comparing them to my Aeon X Closed. Initial reaction is that without EQ I have a preference for the Noire. I plan to use the Noire when I travel. The slightly smaller form factor when packed up and better sound without EQ are a plus for that use case.

With EQ, not surprisingly, they sound pretty close. I prefer the Noire with Oratory's EQ settings over the X Closed with his EQ settings. I've been playing with his settings for the X Closed and can get a very similar sound to the Noire. Close enough that each sound really good. I prefer the Noire but would be happy with either using EQ. The difference isn't enough to get spun up about.

Adding that the Drop Aeon X do qualify for the Dan Clark Audio Club. If you go that route then make sure you register your purchase for discounts on other DCA headphones.

 

[JanesJr1]

See the Aeon Closed X comparison to the Noire at https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...d-aeon-2-noire-and-stealth.34592/post-1236132 .