Dan Clark Audio AEON RT Review (closed headphone)

[TK33]

I would love to eventually but for my bedroom listening it is just the Loki mini+
It has bands at 20Hz, 400Hz, 2kHz, and 8kHz so I can get somewhat close to Amir's eq scheme. I have no idea what the Q value is on the adjustments though.

Eventually, I am considering an RME ADI-2 DAC FS 2, I am just not sure because it has no place to plug in a phono amp.

The RME ADI-2 DAC FS is great (although ony 5 bands for EQ + high shelf and low shelf). I use it to drive my Noire.

 

[Robbo99999]

So assuming that all happens, does anyone have a favorite (inexpensive) parametric eq "separate" I can use in my chain? I don't always use my phone as my input so having something that can eq any signal source in the chain is a priority, but I can't drop tons of cash.

Most people recommend the Qudelix-5K, it's a portable dongle and has 10 band parametric PEQ:

Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Qudelix-5K USB DAC and balanced headphone amplifier with Bluetooth receiver. I purchased this myself but a member kindly donated one third of the cost. The Qudelix 5K costs US $110 on Amazon including shipping. The Qudelix comes in a nice...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Can be connected to PC and smartphones, but not sure if it can be used as a total standalone depending on what is meant by that, you'd have to look that up.
For a true standalone non-portable option that accepts RCA analogue and outputs RCA analogue there's the miniDSP 2x4 which I use between my TV and speakers - it's not a headphone amp though, it's literally just applying PEQ to an analogue Line-Out signal, it can only output 0.9V max (2V input) which can be limiting and the software & setup is not the most intuitive, quite specialist:

Active Crossovers

miniDSP Active Crossover series

www.minidsp.com

 

[Winzzy]

Well my Drop Aeon RT Closed cans came in and I am very happy. Honestly I like them a lot even without eq.

The mini DSP look like it is what I am looking for but not exactly, I may keep looking till I find exactly what I want.

 

[Robbo99999]

Well my Drop Aeon RT Closed cans came in and I am very happy. Honestly I like them a lot even without eq.

The mini DSP look like it is what I am looking for but not exactly, I may keep looking till I find exactly what I want.

Ah, you got the Drop Aeon X Closed then, rather than the Dan Clarke Aeon RT Closed, I thought you were getting the latter? They're not the same headphone. (If you got the Aeon X Closed then you'll want to ignore the Oratory EQ link I gave you because he hasn't measured them yet, instead use the EQ based on Resolve's measurement that I did here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-rt-review-closed-headphone.19393/post-914159

 

[Winzzy]

Ah, you got the Drop Aeon X Closed then, rather than the Dan Clarke Aeon RT Closed, I thought you were getting the latter? They're not the same headphone. (If you got the Aeon X Closed then you'll want to ignore the Oratory EQ link I gave you because he hasn't measured them yet, instead use the EQ based on Resolve's measurement that I did here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-rt-review-closed-headphone.19393/post-914159

I had thought they were the same thing. Now I'm wondering if I should have gotten the other ones instead, that being said I really like these.

 

[Robbo99999]

I had thought they were the same thing. Now I'm wondering if I should have gotten the other ones instead, that being said I really like these.

If I was listening without using EQ I think I'd probably prefer the Drop version, as it's closer to the Harman Curve, but if I was gonna be EQ'ing both then it would be a tough call because the Aeon RT Closed is quite a smooth frequency response to EQ whereas the Drop version is a little more jagged. I was a bit worried about the hard to tame 10-14kHz zone in the Drop version as I mentioned in my earlier posts where I discuss my EQ based on Resolve's measurement. It's a tough call, Resolve said he was going to measure another unit of the Drop version (Aeon X Closed) to see if it had the same frequency response, so I was gonna hang fire on my judgement until he published that measurement. If people listening to the Aeon X Closed don't perceive those measured peaks between 10-14kHz then that's all good, it might have been a measurement anomaly or unit to unit variation (which we'll see with Resolve's 2nd unit once he's measured it). I don't think you did wrong by getting the Drop version, but if you use EQ then use my EQ based on Resolve's measurement rather than Oratory's EQ for the Aeon RT because they're different headphones.

 

[TheHighContemplator]

I had thought they were the same thing. Now I'm wondering if I should have gotten the other ones instead, that being said I really like these.

Robbo's EQ for the Closed X based on Resolve's measurements is a solid step up from the unEQ'd sound, which is already great. My Drop Closed X gets a lot of use and I can't go back to no EQ. It's just too good.

 

[sushi2020]

Though not the RT version, I got a secondhand Aeon Flow Closed at a reasonable price.

I listened to music with oratory1990's EQ for about an hour, but nothing too impressive.
I don't believe in burn-in, but do I need brain-in?

 

[Jimbob54]

Though not the RT version, I got a secondhand Aeon Flow Closed at a reasonable price.

I listened to music with oratory1990's EQ for about an hour, but nothing too impressive.
I don't believe in burn-in, but do I need brain-in?

I think this is why DCA headphones get the shade that they do in some circles. They are not an exciting listen. I view this as a good thing as an "exciting" pair of headphones is a bit like the TV on display in the shop- maxed to make a first impression but overall not a satisfying long term proposition.

Thats my experience with Ether CX and Aeon RT Open at any rate.

 

[sushi2020]

I think this is why DCA headphones get the shade that they do in some circles. They are not an exciting listen. I view this as a good thing as an "exciting" pair of headphones is a bit like the TV on display in the shop- maxed to make a first impression but overall not a satisfying long term proposition.

Thats my experience with Ether CX and Aeon RT Open at any rate.

Maybe it's because I was expecting too much and was nervous when listening...

I will continue to use it for a while. Thanks!

 

[Jimbob54]

Maybe it's because I was expecting too much and was nervous when listening...

I will continue to use it for a while. Thanks!

Oh, and turn them up

 

[Rottmannash]

I think this is why DCA headphones get the shade that they do in some circles. They are not an exciting listen. I view this as a good thing as an "exciting" pair of headphones is a bit like the TV on display in the shop- maxed to make a first impression but overall not a satisfying long term proposition.

Thats my experience with Ether CX and Aeon RT Open at any rate.

I have to agree. The RT Opens are so clear, even at high volume I don't notice how loud they are- they don't distort. OTOH my Elex are way more dynamic but at very high volume can be painful to listen to. Not so the RT Opens. They're just a different animal.

 

[NoteMakoti]

Mine sounded kinda mid until I got balanced cables for them. It's very hard to get volume out of them.

 

[imagidominc]

I just want to add that after having this headphone for a few months, Amir is totally right about this headphone not even needing EQ. I tried his EQ settings in Roon for a month, then one without, and honestly I can live without the EQ. There's a bit more of texture with it, but the headphone performs exceptionally well dry.

 

[HGNBB]

Recently got these and looking at getting a portable DAC/AMP that works with my iPhone. Budget $500 or below.

 

[mugbot]

Recently got these and looking at getting a portable DAC/AMP that works with my iPhone. Budget $500 or below.

I love my Qudelix 5k, and it should have ample power for these on a balanced connection

 

[Firefly00]

I love my Qudelix 5k, and it should have ample power for these on a balanced connection

Good to hear. I’m also eyeing the 5K for my RTs.

Can I transmit bluetooth to it while its charging? Basically to replace a desktop DAC…

 

[TunaBug]

I love my Qudelix 5k, and it should have ample power for these on a balanced connection

+1 for the Qudelix 5k, it drives my Aeon Noire nicely. The E1DA-9038D also drives it well. Both are reviewed here on ASR.

The Qudelix dongle & app is basically a gadget freak's dream. The E1DA's "Tweak" app is Android only, so if I were to have just one dongle for my iPhone it would be the Qudelix even though it doesn't measure as well as the E1DA. I use the Meenova Lightning-to-USB-C cable which allows the phone to power & charge the Qudelix while also playing back.

 

[senji]

Did anyone manage to convert the stock SE cable to ‘balanced’? I can’t find any info online about the ‘dummer’ connection pin out of these headphones…

If anyone is looking for this, here is the color code for the wires once you cut off the 3.5mm single-end plug:
White - L+
Green - L-
Red - R+
Black - R-

 

[RHO]

Has anyone ever measured the effect of the different inserts?
I assume all measurements we see online are without any inserts. Is that correct?