Dan Clark Audio AEON RT Review (closed headphone)

[NHL99]

Perhaps I am overlooking something, but they don't seem to be available in Europe, only the more expensive Dan Clarks. Am I mistaken?

It's possible to order from the US website, shipping with FedEx to the home in two days from California. Tax will be added to the price by the customs. Don't have to worry about buying a possible clone, then. (Don't know if clones exist of the Dan Clark products).

https://danclarkaudio.com/headphones/aeon.html

 

[Dan Clark]

Perhaps I am overlooking something, but they don't seem to be available in Europe, only the more expensive Dan Clarks. Am I mistaken?

The RT are only available direct from our store at dcaudio.com. We ship worldwide.

 

[Oxidizing7297]

Will the Topping DX3 Pro+ work well with the Aeon RT Closed?

 

[Sal1950]

Will the Topping DX3 Pro+ work well with the Aeon RT Closed?

I see no reason for it not to offer superb SQ.

 

[Jefrpol]

I asked this in the Schiit Midgard thread, but does anyone know how well these headphones would match with the Midgard? I may be misunderstanding the Midgard review but would the low impedance of these cause troubles for the Midgard?

 

[thunderchicken]

Will the Topping DX3 Pro+ work well with the Aeon RT Closed?

I personally have this combo and love it.

 

[Helstar]

I have these and they sound so amazing. I listen to rock and metal and own the HD 600/6XX/660S/58X/560S DT 770 Pro Grado SR80x AKG K712 Pro Sundara/Edition XS/HE400SE and these sound the best to me next to the Edition XS that I have to EQ a decent amount. I've had them for around 5 months now and only use them now. I wanna meet Dan Clark and give him a handshake.

 

[Dan Clark]

I have these and they sound so amazing. I listen to rock and metal and own the HD 600/6XX/660S/58X/560S DT 770 Pro Grado SR80x AKG K712 Pro Sundara/Edition XS/HE400SE and these sound the best to me next to the Edition XS that I have to EQ a decent amount. I've had them for around 5 months now and only use them now. I wanna meet Dan Clark and give him a handshake.

Hey, that's so nice! Glad you enjoy them so! CanJam SoCal and New York are my regular "public outings" for industry, should you go to those say hello!

 

[Koeitje]

The RT are only available direct from our store at dcaudio.com. We ship worldwide.

That's unfortunate, I don't really like ordering these blind (plus paying €100 in taxes, plus whatever shipping is). Especially because I'm not a 100% sure if I'd want the closed or the open variant. I prefer to go to a local dealer and have a listen, plus feel how they fit (glasses + headphones can be a pain). Is there a reason its only available in the US?

 

[Dan Clark]

That's unfortunate, I don't really like ordering these blind (plus paying €100 in taxes, plus whatever shipping is). Especially because I'm not a 100% sure if I'd want the closed or the open variant. I prefer to go to a local dealer and have a listen, plus feel how they fit (glasses + headphones can be a pain). Is there a reason its only available in the US?

It's available worldwide as I said, but only through us. The reason? To hit this price point with a metal-chassis built-in-usa headphone and go through distribution would make the product much more expensive. It's the only way to make money at this price.

 

[maximit]

Will the Topping DX3 Pro+ work well with the Aeon RT Closed?

I have the Drop X Closed which has the same drivers. The DX3 only puts out 1.8 volts at 13ohm so its a bit weak, especially if you are planning to EQ in a bit more bass. I had both the DX3 Pro+ as well as the DX5. I sold both and I settled on the E30/L30 II stack to drive them as it can do about 6.5v into 13ohm. I plan to upgrade to the A70 Pro eventually for a 10v output at 13ohm. Sensitivity is 78db/mw as measure by Amir, not the 92db/mw thats advertised. As far as I know there are no DAC/Amp combos (except maybe the DX9 which is expensive) that can drive it to loud volume after EQ boost/pre-amp negative gain.

 

[Koeitje]

It's available worldwide as I said, but only through us. The reason? To hit this price point with a metal-chassis built-in-usa headphone and go through distribution would make the product much more expensive. It's the only way to make money at this price.

I can understand that, I'll look into buying the AEON 2 (possibly Noire) locally instead. The price gap to the RT isn't that big after VAT and shipping and gives me some better options to test them.

 

[staticV3]

DX3 only puts out 1.8 volts at 13ohm so its a bit weak

The DX3 puts out 5.5V at 16Ω:

https://cdn.l7audiolab.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/THDN-Ratio-vs-Measured-Level.jpg

At 13Ω, output drops to about 4.7V

Please do not use Amir's impedance sweep measurement as reference, it's faulty.

 

[maximit]

Any idea why Amir got such different results?

 

[Dan Clark]

I can understand that, I'll look into buying the AEON 2 (possibly Noire) locally instead. The price gap to the RT isn't that big after VAT and shipping and gives me some better options to test them.

Noire is a nice step up, too...

 

[Mauro]

What about buying the CX?
I preferred the tuning over the Drop Aeon close X, to me voices were too withdrawn.
I don’t have such a problem with CX, which sounds more voice/treble centric but still has bass.
Just waiting for Dan to release an open back with the same tuning, maybe with Drop using an earlier driver?!

 

[NHL99]

@Dan Clark
Which filter tuning would be recommended? Feels like the default is a tiny bit detached.

Trying out and adding Black Felt is definitely recommended. Package saved with instructions. Alignment point available on the pads.