Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Noire Review

[Dan Clark]

Not the LEMO headphone cable connectors in the ear cups.

The culprit is the internal JST connector that connects to the planar driver.

Channel imbalance will be obvious during regular use as all sounds will be panned slightly to one side.

We use Molex not JST and it is never related to channel imbalance. If a Molex connector fails you have no output on one channel, not imbalance. We don't use LEMO on the cups, either, it's a Hirose-style connector.

Imbalance in the AEON line was a historical issue related to the original mechanism for getting contact to the driver which could result in an intermittent or high-impedance connection, this was the source of imbalance. The problem wasn't huge but it was the biggest support issue for AEON, so the system was totally redesigned in early 2024 to use the approach we developed for Stealth, Expanse and E3, which has been extremely reliable. As a result channel imbalance for AEON 2 made after March 2024 and 100% of NOIRE X is an order of magnitude lower than older units and is no longer a material support issue.

 

[Dan Clark]

Ok, so we can listen to wider dynamic range in comparison to speakers.
I noticed worse isolation on lower frequencies, maybe because low frequencies are harder to block.

I posted this previously but here is the isolation of NOIRE X using white noise.

The region of 30-90Hz gets a little bit of "cup gain" for low frequency noise, but otherwise the isolation is quite good, without the negative aspects of ANC. For myself I prefer this on airplanes as the bass rumble is easily masked by most music and the isolation above 200Hz ensures I don't hear conversations, ventilation, or crying babies.

Of course what people are looking for in isolation varies...

 

[maruko]

We use Molex not JST and it is never related to channel imbalance. If a Molex connector fails you have no output on one channel, not imbalance. We don't use LEMO on the cups, either, it's a Hirose-style connector.

Imbalance in the AEON line was a historical issue related to the original mechanism for getting contact to the driver which could result in an intermittent or high-impedance connection, this was the source of imbalance. The problem wasn't huge but it was the biggest support issue for AEON, so the system was totally redesigned in early 2024 to use the approach we developed for Stealth, Expanse and E3, which has been extremely reliable. As a result channel imbalance for AEON 2 made after March 2024 and 100% of NOIRE X is an order of magnitude lower than older units and is no longer a material support issue.

Is there a way to tell if my sample of Noire was produced before or after March 2024? Maybe the serial number?

 

[Dan Clark]

Is there a way to tell if my sample of Noire was produced before or after March 2024? Maybe the serial number?

If you bought it any time April or later it's almost certainly got the revised design. Our channel keeps low inventory. If you are experiencing an imbalance it'll be obvious, like vocals always pulling 15-30 degrees to one side of what should be "centered." If vocals are centered there's no issue and don't fret.

 

[maruko]

If you bought it any time April or later it's almost certainly got the revised design. Our channel keeps low inventory. If you are experiencing an imbalance it'll be obvious, like vocals always pulling 15-30 degrees to one side of what should be "centered." If vocals are centered there's no issue and don't fret.

Eventually, are the pad filters (white, black felt and black foam) of the Noire compatible with Noire X?

 

[holdingpants01]

We use Molex not JST and it is never related to channel imbalance. If a Molex connector fails you have no output on one channel, not imbalance. We don't use LEMO on the cups, either, it's a Hirose-style connector.

Imbalance in the AEON line was a historical issue related to the original mechanism for getting contact to the driver which could result in an intermittent or high-impedance connection, this was the source of imbalance.

so there's nothing I can do by myself if my warranty is over? Can I send you my second pair and have it replaced with a more reliable model? I can pay for it, if it's less than a new pair. I received a new pair under the warranty in 2023, but as they used the same system they also failed after 1,5 years.

 

[BeeKay]

We use Molex not JST and it is never related to channel imbalance. If a Molex connector fails you have no output on one channel, not imbalance. We don't use LEMO on the cups, either, it's a Hirose-style connector.

Imbalance in the AEON line was a historical issue related to the original mechanism for getting contact to the driver which could result in an intermittent or high-impedance connection, this was the source of imbalance. The problem wasn't huge but it was the biggest support issue for AEON, so the system was totally redesigned in early 2024 to use the approach we developed for Stealth, Expanse and E3, which has been extremely reliable. As a result channel imbalance for AEON 2 made after March 2024 and 100% of NOIRE X is an order of magnitude lower than older units and is no longer a material support issue.

This also then means my before than early 2024 Aeon2 have the low quality contact mechanism you replaced in the later iteration and are prone to fail?
What can you offer customers like myself in the case of imbalances to start?

 

[Dan Clark]

This also then means my before than early 2024 Aeon2 have the low quality contact mechanism you replaced in the later iteration and are prone to fail?
What can you offer customers like myself in the case of imbalances to start?

We repair or replace, and most of the parts that fail do so within 6 months so for the most part warranty covers it. That said, we generally also extend the warranty on this issue for the original purchaser.

 

[Dan Clark]

so there's nothing I can do by myself if my warranty is over? Can I send you my second pair and have it replaced with a more reliable model? I can pay for it, if it's less than a new pair. I received a new pair under the warranty in 2023, but as they used the same system they also failed after 1,5 years.

This isn't something you can repair. However, contact [email protected] and we will generally take care of you with either a repair or exchange/upgrade.

 

[Oldson]

is this connector issue exclusive to the Aeon range or do others suffer also?
ie, Ether and NoireX

 

[Dan Clark]

is this connector issue exclusive to the Aeon range or do others suffer also?
ie, Ether and NoireX

Suffer? Hoping that's a typo! We've used this connector on all headphones for the last 12 years. In that time we had literally one connector failure, from a guy who bolted upgraight from his chair while standing on a cable. They're incredibly reliable.

 

[Oldson]

Suffer? Hoping that's a typo! We've used this connector on all headphones for the last 12 years. In that time we had literally one connector failure, from a guy who bolted upgraight from his chair while standing on a cable. They're incredibly reliable.

ok, i obviously got the wrong impression from some earlier posts.
thanks for putting me straight

 

[sssn]

Has anyone ever compared the newer Noire X vs the Aeon 2 Noire? I have both here right now and feel crazy for preferring the older Aeons, since both subjective and objective reviews basically state the Noire Xs are a direct upgrade. The difference between these phones isn't huge to me, but the Noire X sounds a tad more fatiguing up top while bass is barely different. I do not notice major differences in soundstage either. Using the Topping DX3+ as a source btw.

Then again, many people state that the effect of the Noire X's AMTS is pretty dependent on your individual HRTF and maybe it doesn't synergize well with mine. Could that be it?

 

[dukduk671]

Good day ASR, does anyone have an FR graph of the A2N with the Noire X pads or the perforated pads?

 

[Chester]

The A2N come with perforated pads, so just check the A2N graph.

 

[dukduk671]

Not mine

 

[BeeKay]

Not mine

Which seems not right. Bought as new?

 

[dukduk671]

Mmm no unfortunately

 

[The_Blaze_mc]

If anyone has experience using Aeon 2 Open and Aeon 2 Noire, please share your impressions. Which headphones are best to buy and why? I plan to connect them to topping dx5 ii, noise isolation is not that important to me.

 

[Viper780]

The Aeon 2 Noire are newer and way better.
But I would go to the new Noire X Open. One of the best headphones I've heard