• Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Dan Clark headphones unreliable channel balance

M

megapro17

Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2024
Messages
17
Likes
17
This is the second time that the headphones have a problem where one headphone starts to sound worse than the other. The cable is in perfect condition, the connection is normal, the problem is inside. The headphones have not been used outdoors and have not been exposed to water. The photo shows $2,000 headphones, Dan Clark E3, after a year of use. As soon as loud music is played, contact is temporarily restored. The first time Dan Clark Aeon worked for a couple of months and was returned to the store after several attempts at repair by the store that led to nothing.
 

Attachments

  • photo_2025-07-25_17-22-00.jpg
    photo_2025-07-25_17-22-00.jpg
    283.9 KB · Views: 1,013
  • photo_2025-07-25_17-22-01.jpg
    photo_2025-07-25_17-22-01.jpg
    284.5 KB · Views: 999
They're still using those dodgy connectors between jack and driver, eh?

$2000 headphones taken out by a 5 cent part, classic.

I

'Aeon 2 Noire channel imbalance, crackling, and passive electronics'

So I got an Aeon 2 Noire at canjam a couple months back, and recently, I've been noticing some channel imbalance with the right cup, where it'd be about 4, 5 decibels softer than the right. But I decided against going with an RMA immediately since I'd already RMA'd the original unit for mechanical issues. Interesting thing is, is that the channel imbalance comes and goes, after running some tests, I've discovered the following. Going to a loud volume, around 10db over what is considered a relatively loud listening volume, will result in a slight crackle in the right channel, and then going...
 
Last edited:
So why are you buying gear from this brand then?
 
I like my Noire XO, but the hirose connector is definitely my least favorite part of it. Just seems like an overly clever solution to a solved problem.
 
megapro17 said:
This is the second time that the headphones have a problem where one headphone starts to sound worse than the other. The cable is in perfect condition, the connection is normal, the problem is inside. The headphones have not been used outdoors and have not been exposed to water. The photo shows $2,000 headphones, Dan Clark E3, after a year of use. As soon as loud music is played, contact is temporarily restored. The first time Dan Clark Aeon worked for a couple of months and was returned to the store after several attempts at repair by the store that led to nothing.
Click to expand...
Super sorry you had issues!

Unfortunately we did have higher than normal service issues with AEON, most frequently where the driver could develop intermittent contact over time. For this reason we have extended warranty coverage so anyone having this issue, even out of warranty, will be covered. We resolved this about 8 months ago, repaired units will receive the more reliable driver. E3 and new AEON units are very reliable and this is pretty rare now, but it can happen, and we will certainly take care of both units.

FYI a dealer can't field repair an imbalanced unit, so we work this with the distributor to provide a timely service for you. Please contact the distributor, Digital High-End, and we'll take care of both units. If you have any issue feel free to DM me.

Regarding the connector, it is insanely reliable and strong. In the 13 year history of making these headphones and cables we have had 2 connector failures.
 
Dan Clark said:
Super sorry you had issues!

Unfortunately we did have higher than normal service issues with AEON, most frequently where the driver could develop intermittent contact over time. For this reason we have extended warranty coverage so anyone having this issue, even out of warranty, will be covered. We resolved this about 8 months ago, repaired units will receive the more reliable driver. E3 and new AEON units are very reliable and this is pretty rare now, but it can happen, and we will certainly take care of both units.

FYI a dealer can't field repair an imbalanced unit, so we work this with the distributor to provide a timely service for you. Please contact the distributor, Digital High-End, and we'll take care of both units. If you have any issue feel free to DM me.

Regarding the connector, it is insanely reliable and strong. In the 13 year history of making these headphones and cables we have had 2 connector failures.
Click to expand...
Thanks Dan , thanks @amirm for a place where this kind of direct relationship can , hopefully flourish.

Now , be kind guys and respect the opportunity we have here , direct access like this is wonderful and free !
 
Dan Clark said:
Super sorry you had issues!

Unfortunately we did have higher than normal service issues with AEON, most frequently where the driver could develop intermittent contact over time. For this reason we have extended warranty coverage so anyone having this issue, even out of warranty, will be covered. We resolved this about 8 months ago, repaired units will receive the more reliable driver. E3 and new AEON units are very reliable and this is pretty rare now, but it can happen, and we will certainly take care of both units.

FYI a dealer can't field repair an imbalanced unit, so we work this with the distributor to provide a timely service for you. Please contact the distributor, Digital High-End, and we'll take care of both units. If you have any issue feel free to DM me.

Regarding the connector, it is insanely reliable and strong. In the 13 year history of making these headphones and cables we have had 2 connector failures.
Click to expand...
Right now, I'm wearing E3, and once again, the sound in my left ear is quieter than in my right ear. I played a loud sound several times, and it temporarily fixed the problem. The resistance changed again to 33 and 31 ohms
A year ago, when I had this problem with Aeon 2, I tried to contact the company several times, but I never received a reasonable answer, except for an offer to return the product under warranty. I do not live in the US or the EU, but I purchased the headphones from an authorized store (Dr.Head), which tried to repair Aeon 2 several times without success, and only after several complaints did they agree to refund my money. My E3s were purchased through pre-order, I got them from store at 03 july 2024, one of the very first batches, serial number V572. Maybe you can tell them directly to replace the headphones with a new batch right away?
 
staticV3 said:
They're still using those dodgy connectors between jack and driver, eh?

$2000 headphones taken out by a 5 cent part, classic.

I

'Aeon 2 Noire channel imbalance, crackling, and passive electronics'

So I got an Aeon 2 Noire at canjam a couple months back, and recently, I've been noticing some channel imbalance with the right cup, where it'd be about 4, 5 decibels softer than the right. But I decided against going with an RMA immediately since I'd already RMA'd the original unit for mechanical issues. Interesting thing is, is that the channel imbalance comes and goes, after running some tests, I've discovered the following. Going to a loud volume, around 10db over what is considered a relatively loud listening volume, will result in a slight crackle in the right channel, and then going...
Click to expand...
I thought I was the only one with those issues on my Aeon Noires.
Pumping up the volume usually fixes those issues but it's still a bummer (like the disintegrating earpads)
 
The room got cold, and when I come home, the resistance in my left ear is 76 ohms. If I'll take the headphones to a service center; they'll warm up to room temperature there and everything will work temporarily again. They won't repair or replace anything for me, because they will say that they did not find the problem.

Can you still submit a direct request to the store where I bought them for a replacement?

@Dan Clark
 
So is the problem temperature related?
This might explain why cranking up the volume (which might increase the temperature temporarily) will fix the channel imbalance on my pair
 
megapro17 said:
Can you still submit a direct request to the store where I bought them for a replacement?
Click to expand...
See how they're responding to messages? Just like I said last time. The headphones are sounding worse and worse, and now there's a noticeable imbalance in my right ear. I'll take them to the store myself. 0 help
 
While I am sorry to hear about these experiences, I think it's only fair to say that these are not everyone's experience. Personally, I've owned around 6 different DCA headphones and they are still my favorite brand - only one had a warranty problem and one had a non-warranty problem and once I needed new pad tape thingys. In every case, they took excellent care of me and more than satisfied my expectations.
 
scottgar said:
In every case, they took excellent care of me and more than satisfied my expectations.
Click to expand...
This is also my experience with DCA. Top noch customer service.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

oberon
Dan Clark Stealth's Pressure Relief Hole
Replies
1
Views
808
oratory1990
oratory1990
D
SOLD: Dan Clark Aeon 2 Noire, Topping D90LE, Topping A90D
Replies
9
Views
2K
Dueprocess
D
amirm
  • Poll Poll
Dan Clark NOIRE XO Headphone Review
7 8 9
Replies
165
Views
74K
theBoomer
T
P
A Solution to Resonating Headband Wires
Replies
4
Views
1K
Phenoez8
P
B
SOLD DCA Aeon 2 Closed SOLD
Replies
0
Views
841
billqs
B
Back
Top Bottom