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Drop + Dan Clark Audio Aeon Open X Headphones
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Drop + Dan Clark Audio Aeon Open X Headphones
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keyboard_arrow_downT.Fernandez
797
Collabs
Dec 26, 2019
Stickied
Sound Foundations
Our community had their eyes on another collaboration with Dan Clark soon after the launch of the acclaimed Ether CX. With the Ether CX being a true flagship worthy closed back headphone for our product line, we were also very excited to add to the sister series with the Aeon Open X.
There’s always a chance...
Here is what Dan Clark had to say about some of the distinctions between the two products lines.
“ÆON Tone: ETHER CX has a more neutral voicing with a bump to the bass, while AEON has a bit more of a V to the response and is less linear and smooth sounding. ETHER CX has a bit more heft at the lowest frequencies, it just feels like there's more power at the sub-bass even though they measure similarly. AEON Closed presents a bit more upper bass energy due to the V-shape to the response. ETHER CX has a smoother blend to the midrange which delivers better phase coherence, while AEON has a bit of a peak in the 5K region, something we worked to eliminate in the ETHER CX, and a brighter than neutral top. Dynamics are very similar. Soundstage they are close, ETHER CX seems a trifle larger. Efficiency: ETHER CX is 2-3dB more efficient.” The Aeon Flow Open is known to have a warmer tonal quality, a slight V shaped response, and a medium sized soundstage. We nudged the Aeon Open X to have similar qualities as the Ether CX, which has a rather neutral sound signature and wide soundstage for a closed back design. During the development process we explored the use of fenestration inside the earpads to open up the soundstage. This was done by initially using a soldering iron to melt holes into the interior of the earpad. We then used some electrical tape to cover portions of the openings allowing us to get a slightly wider soundstage. We fenestrated the surface of the ear pad that is most reflective towards the opening of the ear creating a wider and deeper soundstage. Earpad Experiments
Here is what Dan Clark had to say about some of the distinctions between the two products lines.
“ÆON Tone: ETHER CX has a more neutral voicing with a bump to the bass, while AEON has a bit more of a V to the response and is less linear and smooth sounding. ETHER CX has a bit more heft at the lowest frequencies, it just feels like there's more power at the sub-bass even though they measure similarly. AEON Closed presents a bit more upper bass energy due to the V-shape to the response. ETHER CX has a smoother blend to the midrange which delivers better phase coherence, while AEON has a bit of a peak in the 5K region, something we worked to eliminate in the ETHER CX, and a brighter than neutral top. Dynamics are very similar. Soundstage they are close, ETHER CX seems a trifle larger. Efficiency: ETHER CX is 2-3dB more efficient.” The Aeon Flow Open is known to have a warmer tonal quality, a slight V shaped response, and a medium sized soundstage. We nudged the Aeon Open X to have similar qualities as the Ether CX, which has a rather neutral sound signature and wide soundstage for a closed back design. During the development process we explored the use of fenestration inside the earpads to open up the soundstage. This was done by initially using a soldering iron to melt holes into the interior of the earpad. We then used some electrical tape to cover portions of the openings allowing us to get a slightly wider soundstage. We fenestrated the surface of the ear pad that is most reflective towards the opening of the ear creating a wider and deeper soundstage. Earpad Experiments
Muscle_Cow
928
Jun 1, 2020
T.FernandezThese went out of stock pretty early for a new headphone collab... will they be coming back? I wanted to pick up a pair eventually but didn't expect to end so soon else probably would've grabbed earlier :[ .
Dandrey
25
Jun 1, 2020
Muscle_CowCheck my review on them , its an emotional one , but to the point . I did not listen to CX , but heard it is about being punch shy or sort of , the Aeons X , on the opposite , is pretty punchy and dynamic . Amazing piece of audio art , i would call them .Comparing back and forth between them and M1060C open mod, Beyer DT250 and HD58X and 6XX , the Aeons X win soundwise and build .
Moonsand1
470
Dec 26, 2019
Not to knock this headphone, but if I'm reading this correctly all that was done was an earpad change and less dampening over the driver. A change we could do with a stock AEON. How about a slight driver tuning change? These collaborations are getting kind of lazy. Soon it will be, hey look we added Drop to the headband...done.
(Edited)
LuckyLuke575
561
Dec 30, 2019
Fully agree bud. It's like me saying I'm going to build the best headphone amp in the world 2 years from now; anyone can make claims like that, and in the mean time I have money burning a hole in my pocket and need a pair of cans to listen to music right now like the craze.
Muscle_Cow
928
Dec 27, 2019
I love how people always find things to complain about... How can this be anything but awesome? If you were in the market looking at the Aeon Flow Open V1, this new Drop product just gave you an instant $150 discount at a minimum and also gave you improved pads and tweaking on the headphone you were already interested in... AND its available NOW... you don't have to wait months for it to ship like previous (Mass)Drop releases.
Of course Dan Clark Audio isn't going to release a Drop collab equivalent to the Aeon Flow Open V2 for nearly half the price a month after they announced their own new version... because that would be corporate suicide and a one way ticket to butchering their brand new product - and profits.
This is obviously not going to be as good as the V2, but its also $400 less than the V2. I think this will give some serious competition to other headphones in the $500 price point, especially when these inevitably go on sale for $400 months down the road.
I am seriously considering grabbing this myself to compliment my Drop Ether CX headphone which is an incredible set of cans. Well either this or the Aeon Flow V2, as I would be willing to pay the extra for the new revision.
Thank you Drop and Dan Clark Audio for continuing to make these exclusive offerings to us at incredible price points - I appreciate the products that you collaborate and release, don't listen to the Trolls.
Asrei
126
Nov 11, 2021
I think it’s the same for any of us Arya owners. I can’t think of a headphone that can replace it since it not only has sound stage but layering.
I remember hearing a xylophone in a song (Gustaberg) from a MMO I play (FFXI) and I could actually hear what sounded like the Xylophone was off on my 2 o clock but closer sitting than the rest of the orchestra. I was just like wow… you can even tell the distance and position of the instruments apart from each other in a song or piece depending on the quality of the track. Regardless it is INSANE. They are also the best gaming headphones I’ve owned Period. Nothing has dethroned them. The Elex was good but these are in a completely different ballpark.
(Edited)
gtb75
340
Jan 2, 2020
Zeos just posted his review today: https://youtu.be/kJ33fP-sNxY
He tends to like Dan's headphones (more on the closed side though) and was a big fan of the Ether CX, so it makes sense he would like these. Regardless, early Aeon Open X press seems to be largely positive. If only I needed another set of headphones :)
The01player
19
Jan 8, 2020
Zeos does review things he doesn't like, those tend to be fan favorite videos if he gets mad about a bad product or else. He isn't afraid of not being an echo chamber that only releases good reviews, becuase he knows that the good companies out there are honest and will send him products even if he doesn't give them a glowing review. Thats also why he has a patreon, so he can have the money to buy the products himself and give them a review, regardless of if its good or bad or if the company sent it in or not. Whether your a fan of Z or not, I feel like you have to admit thats a good system and he is helping reviews become more trustworthy, not the opposite.
WILLxLOVE
164
Jan 15, 2020
Id like to trade my you tube algorithm for yours.
Every Tech reviewer I see both reviews the good and ESPECIALLY what they love to rant and hate on - I will of course graciously pay you 2 cents if I find it when roaming around the office for said algorithm with proof it is as awesomely hate free as specified. Personally I'm suspicious....
Kay Thx Byeeeee
gtb75
340
Dec 30, 2019
Josh Valour just posted his Aeon Open X vs DT 1990 comparison: https://youtu.be/CZAQqtEkYiI
Short version, unsurprisingly the Aeon X is the less analytical of the two - but he likes both of them. If I was in the market for an open headphone in this price range I would jump on these! I tend to like the sound of Dan's headphones, and I love my Ether CX for transportable use. Assuming these are tuned similar to those, they should be great!
As for the clowns on here who are saying these should be $400 (or less), give me a break... I am pretty sure these are the cheapest Dan has ever offered one of his V-Planar based headphones. Granted most of the complainers are obvious trolls with little/no buying history on Drop, but still. If you think you are going to get the just released Aeon 2 for nearly half price, then your expectations are unrealistic. If you look at the HD6XX, the HD650 was 10+ years old when Massdrop started offering the significantly discounted HD6XX. These are better than the original Aeon for considerably less than the original or current Aeon price.
(Edited)
Muscle_Cow
928
Dec 28, 2019
I think it would be a nice addition to allow people to choose which OEM cable to get with their set of cans; either the stock cable that terminates into the 1/4" (6.35mm) or the stock cable that terminates into the 4-Pin XLR since these are both options offered by Dan Clark Audio anyways.
Otherwise people that want to run balanced are going to be in for another $60 to $100 USD to get a balanced cable with the 4-Pin Hirose connectors - unless they are lucky enough to already own one from say the Ether CX like I am fortunate enough to have.
Fayne
2586
Jan 9, 2020
Seriously. Monoprice needs to do to balanced headphone cables what they did to studio cables (XLR & 6.35mm TRS under the StageRight branding) and ethernet. I've had nothing but great experiences with their cables in general. Like, no duds in the XLR stuff out of the ~60 I've bought, and only a couple of duds out of the ~10000 ethernet patches I've bought (personally and for work).
Helpbot
310
Jan 3, 2020
In timbre hd600 wins out. I had the Elex, but it tries way too hard to make the source material exciting and dynamic. I felt like I was being babied and I wasn't mature enough to enjoy the music without it being like the equivalent of an over saturated picture. I've heard boring headphones, and the hd600 is not completely uninvolved in creating a musical experience, but it's much less pandering than the Elex. The he-500 is not as accurate in timbre as the hd600, but it is more more punchy and an easier listen than the Elex
ElectronicVices
2937
Jan 4, 2020
HelpbotI just can't deal with the bass rolloff on the Senn's (650&555 here) as compared to the 500/6se/Arya/Ether CX & other planar headphones. Neither Senn is leaving as they've been with me the longest of all my full sized HP's.
The 650 continues to impress all these years later and is responsive to changes in the signal path, along with popularity it makes a good reference point.
wadec22
27
Feb 12, 2020
Mine arrived today. Pretty bummed;
- They showed up with non-perforated ear pads (talking inside). Not only that but the give on the ear pads seems to be what others describe the original aeon flow pads to be.
- The box hinge is coming apart a bit
(Edited)
joschl
1
Feb 27, 2020
I just received my AEON open X and the earpads are non-fenestrated too. Will check the sound later this evening if I find the time for it.
Marlowe
143
Feb 27, 2020
joschlThanks for the response. It appears that someone here has screwed up royally. I assume that the initial error in packaging (it appears that wrong pads have been applied in many, if not all, cases) was made by Dan Clark, but the dismissive response by Drop is inexcusable. Frankly, I'd wager that the sound difference between the old pads and the new fenestrated ones (ostensibly a wider soundstage) is relatively small and subtle. Nonetheless, you should get what you paid for, especially when the new pads were highlighted as a major improvement for this drop. It does appear that Dan Clark, at least, is willing to correct the error. Unfortunately, it appears that Drop has no interest in the matter.
MRphotographycom
71
Dec 26, 2019
@Drop thanks for the Dan Clark collaboration! There are always going to be haters sitting behind their keyboards typing away. We all get frustrated about something from time to time. Looking at the positive, I am glad Drop exists and brings some audio products at competitive price points for audiophiles. I am not in the market for these headphones but the option for people to pick up what may be a headphone they really enjoy for less than $500 is very cool, good on you.
(Edited)
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