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Dan Clark headphones unreliable channel balance

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...
@Dan Clark Well, your support staff member doesn't seem to be aware that you have extended the warranty for this issue:
I opened a support ticket in August 2024 for my Aeon 2 Closed that has a failed driver/imbalance descibed above after 3 years (handled always with care), but was quoted $345 for repair so I did not follow-up on this path. Can I contact support again about this known issue?
 
...fuk...I am glad I did not give these to my son...!!!...

...I just popped in to do some research for an optimal headphone amp for my Dan Clark Aeon closed....struggling along with Schiit Magni 3+...

...I bought the headphones in '23 and have only used them a few times, but I am planning to use them extensively in the immediate future...

...I bought them behind reviews I saw here...I really do like them even running on Magni...now this...!!!...LoL...the 1st World can be a bitch...
 
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Hapo said:
...fuk...I am glad I did not give these to my son...!!!...

...I just popped in to do some research for an optimal headphone amp for my Dan Clark Aeon closed....struggling along with Schiit Magni 3+...

...I bought the headphones in '23 and have only used them a few times, but I am planning to use them extensively in the immediate future...

...I bought them behind reviews I saw here...I really do like them even running on Magni...now this...!!!...LoL...
Click to expand...
One option is to do this mod which bypasses the SMD connector, as a form of preventative maintenance:
www.audiosciencereview.com

Aeon 2 Noire channel imbalance, crackling, and passive electronics

Just an update: Solved mine's problem after i opened it and sprayed some wd40 on the connector that connects the wires to the jack. I don't know about other models but in this one, dca strangely doesn't solder the wires directly to the headphone jack, instead it uses a type of connector which i...
www.audiosciencereview.com www.audiosciencereview.com
 
godmax said:
@Dan Clark Well, your support staff member doesn't seem to be aware that you have extended the warranty for this issue:
I opened a support ticket in August 2024 for my Aeon 2 Closed that has a failed driver/imbalance descibed above after 3 years (handled always with care), but was quoted $345 for repair so I did not follow-up on this path. Can I contact support again about this known issue?
Click to expand...
I'll make sure everyone is clear on this. We'll have your back...

staticV3 said:
One option is to do this mod which bypasses the SMD connector, as a form of preventative maintenance:
www.audiosciencereview.com

Aeon 2 Noire channel imbalance, crackling, and passive electronics

Just an update: Solved mine's problem after i opened it and sprayed some wd40 on the connector that connects the wires to the jack. I don't know about other models but in this one, dca strangely doesn't solder the wires directly to the headphone jack, instead it uses a type of connector which i...
www.audiosciencereview.com www.audiosciencereview.com
Click to expand...
The connector is a good quality molex part made for automotive and has a very good track record. It's possible contamination occurred but TBH I've never seen that.
 
Dan Clark said:
The connector is a good quality molex part made for automotive and has a very good track record. It's possible contamination occurred but TBH I've never seen that.
Click to expand...
↓
Soulsound said:
Solved mine's problem after i opened it and sprayed some wd40 on the connector that connects the wires to the jack.
Since then the problem has completely gone, no more cranking the volume to return normal, no more imbalance issues.
Click to expand...
benni said:
After the soldering, the random changes in the stereo field and the crackling disappeared.
Click to expand...
nalianth said:
My right side was having the same issue making me think I was crazy
After seeing your post today, I ripped out the solder gun and snipped right across that connector. I resoldered the original wires directly to the larger contacts and am happy to report it is working fine.
Click to expand...

3/3 cases where tending to the molex connector, either with WD40 or by bypassing them via a solder job, fixed the imbalance.
 
scottgar said:
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.
Click to expand...
Perhaps you could respond to my proposal to exchange the headphones immediately at the authorized dealer where I purchased them, without a month-long diagnosis at the service center, or will you continue to ignore my requests? "Top noch customer service." yeah

There's no point in buying headphones for $2,000 if they work worse than IEMs that are 10 times cheaper. I can buy 10 different models and wear them for different genres and moods.

Btw it's me, who asked to change the title of the topic to something less aggressive. nobody demanded it
 
I'm having the same problem with my second pair of headphones from this company. These were brand new when I picked them up. Maybe it's because I listened to them for almost 10 hours every day. But I guess headphones at this price shouldn't just sit around unused. I'll take them to the store in a week.
 
...I am not in too deep but no regrets so far...I never had headphones like the Aeon Closed RT before...

...methinks spending over $2000 on headphones is beyond the point of diminishing returns, especially in my case, but the NOIRE XO has caught my interest...
 
staticV3 said:
3/3 cases where tending to the molex connector, either with WD40 or by bypassing them via a solder job, fixed the imbalance.
Click to expand...
Thanks for pointing this out.

We have used the Molex without problem for at least 8 years now, but the part recently went end of life, and we have identified that it appears there is a potential problem with some recent parts, it's not widespread but it's there. I am guessing, with no ability to prove this, that their tooling was nearing end of life and the parts may be at the edge of their tolerance, and that may be why the part was discontinued. I can't be 100% sure but I suspect this crept into the parts mix around 3 months ago with our most recent delivery.

We have implemented process changes to catch and correct for this.
 
Dan Clark said:
Thanks for pointing this out.

We have used the Molex without problem for at least 8 years now, but the part recently went end of life, and we have identified that it appears there is a potential problem with some recent parts, it's not widespread but it's there. I am guessing, with no ability to prove this, that their tooling was nearing end of life and the parts may be at the edge of their tolerance, and that may be why the part was discontinued. I can't be 100% sure but I suspect this crept into the parts mix around 3 months ago with our most recent delivery.

We have implemented process changes to catch and correct for this.
Click to expand...
Great news!

Just to make sure: did you check the dates on which the three reports I linked above were posted?

Date of manufacture of those headphones was even earlier naturally.
 
staticV3 said:
Great news!

Just to make sure: did you check the dates on which the three reports I linked above were posted?

Date of manufacture of those headphones was even earlier naturally.
Click to expand...
It's possible the problem crept in earlier but we don't have old inventory to assess. Regardless we'll take care of any related problems.
 
Dan Clark said:
It's possible the problem crept in earlier but we don't have old inventory to assess. Regardless we'll take care of any related problems.
Click to expand...
You don't even have the courage to stop ignoring me, you'll take care of any related problems, yeah
 
Just ordered new pads for my Aeon Noire because the old ones were disintegrating.

After I remove the old pads, Is there any simple fix I can perform to deal with the occasional cracks and imbalance?
 
megapro17 said:
You don't even have the courage to stop ignoring me, you'll take care of any related problems, yeah
Click to expand...
Sorry, what am I ignoring? Did you ask me something? You said you were taking them to the store, I didn't think a reply was needed, though sorry for that hassle. I wasn't trying to ignore you, I just didn't realize you were looking for a response... Either post her or DM me if you have specific issues or need anything.
:)
 
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