Drop + Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X Headphones

Our last collaboration with Dan Clark Audio—the Aeon Open X—was an instant hit in the world of planar magnetic open-back headphones. Now, we’re unveiling it in a closed-back variation: the Aeon Closed X. A refinement of the Aeon Flow Series, these passive-isolating headphones feature the same warm and punchy audio, excellent power response, and ultra-comfortable fit as their predecessors. Where they improve on the Flow Series is in the soundstage: we added partially fenestrated earpads and reduced driver dampening to even the tone and minimize reverberation. Now featuring new, carefully selected earcups, the individually serialized Aeon Closed X gives listeners the best of both builds: closed-back isolation with an open-back-caliber soundstage.

How do you make great headphones better? You listen. When creating the Aeon Closed X, we listened closely to its predecessors and input from our community of audiophiles. Experimenting with the dampening paper covering the planar magnetic drivers, we opted to use fewer plys, creating a more even tone. To add a bit more air and extension, we used the same partially fenestrated earpads featured on the Aeon Flow 2, minimizing sound reflection back into the ear. First featured on the Aeon Open X, these changes stayed central to the design of Aeon Closed X. We worked closely with Dan Clark Audio to ensure that our new closed-back design didn’t obstruct the widened soundstage. At the same time, we achieved substantial passive noise isolation with closed-back earcups—making the Aeon Closed X a great choice for listening at home or on the go. 

Dan Clark is a renowned audio engineer who has been working in the high-end audio market for more than 20 years. In founding Dan Clark Audio, his mission was simple: to create high-quality headphones that allow listeners to experience incredible audio and nothing less. To that end, headphones should also deliver exceptional comfort, because—as Dan says—uncomfortable headphones “get in the way of musical enjoyment the same way a terrible seat at a concert venue detracts from a live performance.” With a history as a community modder, Dan strives for continual improvement and makes upgrades available whenever possible.