I use the lightest black foam. I have backed down slowly from the white and then black felts.
I like the the 2 comes without tuning pads pre installed, they donāt really need them but I guess itās added value
I bought them from another person on reddit. Yeah I guess Iāll probably buy them to see how it changes the sound.
So I got the Elegia from the adorama deal and have been testing them against the Aeon 2. I have been trying to get a portable setup that I can use while traveling and at work, so I have been A/Bing the hip dac and nano bl as my portable dac amps.
After an hour or so of listening, I am finding that the Elegia sounds more dynamic and clear than the Aeon 2. The bass is definitely more present with the Aeon 2, and it feels more open. When using the hip dac and the xBass button, the Elegia responds well to it and it makes some songs more enjoyable in the bass region than the Aeon 2. The xBass button doesnāt help the Aeon 2 and just makes the bass sound boomy imo. The Aeon 2 sounds better on the nano bl, but the hip dac drives it easier with the gain button.
I canāt tell if Iām not past burn in period or my amps just arenāt enough for the Aeon 2, but I feel like the sound just isnāt very tight and clear as I want it to be, especially after A/Bing with the Elegia. Also, the vocals seem distant and recessed on the Aeon 2. I really want to like to the Aeon 2 because they are far more portable, they are way more comfortable, and I like how they look. Iām still looking for a used ifi xDSD and hoping that they make the Aeon 2 sound better. But I will probably do some more listening after work and further see how they compare.
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Hmm, that is interesting. I assume you are comparing it to the aeon 2 closed since your mentioning elegia. The dynamic sound lacking in the aeons has been a known complaint I have seen just in general, though I donāt have any clarity issues on my balanced setup. The mids are indeed recessed as the Aeons should still have a V signature to them even though the aeon 2 is said to be more towards neutral.
Appreciate the information though. Makes me wonder about the elex vs the open x or clear vs aeon 2 open
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So, this is interesting. I have a set of clears and aeon2 closed. The detail is comparable. I run them off a thx789 and BF2 dac.
I burned my aeon2 in with pink noise for a couple nights. Iāve been using them regularly for a few weeks now.
What amp are you using? -sry I see you listed it in your comment. Are they at very different volume positions?
What tuning pads are in the aeons?
Are you using a balanced cable with either set?
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Thatās interesting. The level of detail that comes off my aeon open xās is really damn good though I am connected balanced through a liquid platinum + Bifrost 2. I really have like zero complaints on this headphone other than I think the mids could be more present, maybe a little bright for my taste, and it does build up a little more heat than I prefer for an open back. Was hoping the aeon 2 was be better for me but just dunno lol
Zeos actually just reviewed the aeon 2 closed. Waiting on the aeon 2 open review.
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Hm, canāt seem to find that.
Yeah the aeon in general but the 2 specifically can hang in terms of resolution with much more expensive headphones imexp. Where it starts to fall apart is in timbre, it isnāt nearly as natural sounding as the clear. I like the aeon2 closed and use it often.
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canāt share it. Should be out in a few days or next week.
I think for those wanting more naturalism buy the ethers though no? Last I checked these are more known for their natural and analytical tones in comparison.
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I didnāt have that experience with the Ether CX, as they just sounded ā¦ sadly bland and dead. Kind of hollow. The aeon was a huge step up for less money in my opinion. I really wanted the CX to be amazing as zeos said it sounded in some way better than his flow 1. Maybe the new C Flow are better but I havenāt heard them. When things open up again Iāll go to Dan Clark audio and check them out as I donāt live far from them.
For the nano, I have to run it pretty high on the dial. I am not using tuning pads on the aeons. I only have a balanced cable to 4.4, so I run balanced to the hip dac. With balanced and the gain switch, I donāt need to turn the volume position too far. I was considering getting a trrs 3.5 adapter to run balanced on the nano and possible future xDSD.
Iām wondering is perhaps the signal chain just doesnāt serve the aeons well. I know planars can be picky and in some scenarios really suffer when they arenāt being fed what they want. I havenāt found my aeons to be picky but I havenāt used any of the equipment you are currently. Maybe someone else here has and can give you some better insight.
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I have found the Aeons need fairly significant amounts of Volts to sound proper. I run them on my iFi IDSD Micro Black label usually in turbo gain or high gain on the rest of my gear. What I find is it tightens up the sound especially the lower frequencies and some in the treble. Running them at lower volts they simply donāt sound right IMO. Check the voltage ratings for the amps you are using.
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My Aeon 2 Opens are mediocre on alot of amps, except for SS ampsā¦like the small $99 Schiit Magni 3ā¦not the new onesā¦its amazing how well these cans come alive with this one little low cost ampā¦
Tempted to buy a new Magni 3+ or the Asgard 3 to try this as wellā¦
Breakin here was EVERYTHINGā¦not until 40-50 hours did these come close to sounding like they were when first triedā¦almost sent them backā¦
For me the Clears are way better than the Aeon 2āsā¦just more clear and crispā¦not warm at allā¦
YMMV
Alex
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I would recommend the asgard for purchase even if you werenāt using it for the aeons honestly. Itās an incredible amp for sure. I think I will give the clears a try next time I venture out towards the audio stores and they are open. They seem to have elegia, elear, clear, and Listen pro
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Clears are indeed very specialā¦
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I have been listening to these today through my new bifrost 2 and my Asgard 3. I had the wife listen to them also. Compared to the modi 3 and the hersey with the bifrost the aeon 2 sounds forward about 2 or so feet ahead compared of the modi. Also the highs dont cut out or compress down like they do as on the modi. It seems like some cutting/normalizing happens on the modi compared to the bifrost. Either way, the Aeon 2 closed sounds absolutely amazing on both.
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Has anyone compared the Aeon Open 2 to the ananda?
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Had Anandas here a few months backā¦didnt like them, too thin, and build quality IMO was well plastic city and not great mounting structureā¦they were fast clean, clear, but the bass IMO was lacking.
I have the Aeon 2 opensā¦takes 50 hours or so for these to really opne up and need a SS amp. I have many amps and the best ones were the Schiit Magni 3, Jotenheim. Asgrad 3 would also work well as the new Magni 3+ and Hersey.
My memory tells me that the bass on the Aeon 2ās is so much better in volumeā¦
Alex
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I honestly preferred the edition xx a hell of a lot more even as someone who absolutely loves treble and thin sounding headphones. The warmer more full sound from the edition XX was really nice. Though I switched to aeon open x never looked back. I wouldnāt say you need an SS amp though yeah? I pair mine to the hybrid liquid platinum, yes I know it sounds more like a SS still uses tubes though, and it sounds fantastic so I guess there are some exceptions.
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Any good amp will do, its just when I used the lowly $99 Schitt old version of the Magni 3, the Aeon 2s really sparkleā¦just a neat synergy hereā¦
Just ordered a set of those HEDD phones!
Alex