Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Noire Planar Closed Back Portable Audiophile Headphones with 2m Dummer 3.5mm/1/4-inch Cable (Black)

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This comes into play if you want to listen at above ear-healthy level, and is clearly audible by the obvious distortions. Switching to the Pegasus introduced some lovely body and smoothness to vocal and instrumental timbre with those upper-mids sounding perfectly balanced for my tastes. That does mean that despite its relative portability and 3.5mm terminated DUMMER cable, the Noire does need plenty of juice to sound optimal.

The innovative gimbal design also folds just as easily and smoothly as before which is one of the highlights of the build. A middle path between both of these DAPs is the R8. With the Turbo mode, you get excellent dynamic range from the Noire and a hefty full sounding low-end. You also get a bit of enhanced warmth from that bass response which is enjoyable. Typically, the current mode output of this amp is quite neutral and clean but with the Noire pairing using the DX300 source, it was a lot smoother and yet still very detailed and articulate. No doubt the talking point is the homage to the Sony R10 in the way Hifiman have contoured those HE-R10D cups. Whilst the Noire is a tweak of the previous AEON 2 it is hardly what you would call a nod to a past era. My relative sweet spot with the AEON series for a good synergy has typically been around 1W into 32Ω and the Noire is no different in that regard.

Dan received a BS in engineering from Swarthmore College and an MBA from San Jose State University and Apple Computer. He then spent 30 years in high-tech managerial and executive roles, working in companies ranging from small startups to Apple Computer, Compaq and Sun Microsystems. Stimulating work, but Dans’ real passion was still Music and Audio Engineering was calling him.

Thank you for your reply. You have valid points even though I don’t agree with you 100%. You sound like someone who spends lots of time at audiosciencereview. I spend some time there myself also nowadays, though not as a registered member. Lots of useful information and measurements. It’s just that they’re only measurements and don’t tell you all. I always try to audition new gear in my own system before making decisions but it’s not always possible. If something sounds good to me in these auditions, I make my decision based on that. There’s zero need for blind testing since I don’t listen to my setup blind, it’s always an open listening situation so obviously I try to mimic that when I audition something. I couldn’t care less if some amount of changes is because of placebo. We can’t eliminate placebo from our everyday listening. I hope you can appreciate my way to approach this hobby, I for sure don’t have problem with yours. I don’t want to start a debate.All other areas are largely unchanged with the very lightweight NiTinol headband design, leather headband strap, and elongated or vertically tall ear cups with matching pleather pads. The subtle reposition of the venting position and new filter material found on the AEON 2 also remains the same. Articulated Folding Design There are many similarities between the Æon 2 and the Noire, the latter being more an evolution of the lineage than standing out on its own as the Æon 3, for instance. Firstly, both designs centre on Dan Clark's second-gen 62x34mm single-ended planar magnetic driver. This sports home-grown tech, such as the DCA Trueflow system, promising improved detail retrieval by allowing more airflow through the motor. Additionally, the Noire benefits from the company's patented V-Planar driver processing, which moulds the textures on the driver surface for low-frequency optimisation and improved diaphragm stability, says the manufacturer. They do sound fantastic, especially when EQ'd - their speed and accuracy is perfect for nearly everything other than classical and strong-mid music, to my ears at least.