Dan Clark Audio ÆON 2 Noire
The ÆON 2 Noire makes closed-back listening feel remarkably open: lightning-fast transients, pinpoint imaging and taut, articulate bass uncover texture without fatigue. StereoNET United Kingdom praised its spacious, poised presentation, while HomeTheaterHifi highlighted its natural detail, long-wear comfort and travel-ready folding design. This is a refined planar all-rounder for focused listening anywhere.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
89/100
Comfort Fit
91/100
Build Quality
92/100
Features Usability
90/100
Value for Money
92/100
Pros
Exceptional resolution, fast transients and clean separation keep complex music articulate without turning abrasive.
Tight, impactful bass delivers rhythmic punch and remains free of bloat.
Exceptionally light, comfortable folding construction and compact hard case suit long sessions and travel.
Cons
Sub-bass weight is modest beside some similarly priced rivals, particularly for bass-heavy or orchestral material.
A capable headphone amplifier is needed for the fullest dynamics; weaker sources can sound flat or lack volume.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 89/100
The ÆON 2 Noire is widely praised for a clean, quick and highly detailed presentation that remains musical rather than relentlessly analytical. Its strongest qualities are precision, clarity, fast transients and unusually spacious imaging for a closed-back design, while lower-bass weight and occasional upper-frequency sharpness are the main caveats.
Bass
86/100
Reviewers describe bass as tight, quick and free of bloat, with convincing impact from bass drums and a useful mid-bass kick. Sub-bass is less generous than some similarly priced rivals, however, and the presentation can lose weight and impact in dense, full-spectrum music.
Midrange
87/100
The midrange earns strong praise for clarity, texture and fast, precise attack and decay, particularly with strings, piano and vocals. Some material can sound slightly clinical or thin, and reviewers note that certain vocals may sit too far back because of a small upper-midrange dip.
Treble
88/100
The upper range is extended, airy and incisive, bringing out cymbal detail, reverb tails and fine instrumental texture. A few reviewers encountered initial brightness, sibilance or isolated hot spots, though others found the Noire detailed without becoming abrasive after adjustment or burn-in.
Resolution Detail
93/100
Detail retrieval is a defining strength, with reviewers repeatedly highlighting the Noire's speed, precision, clean timbre and ability to keep individual elements distinct. It exposes low-level information without lingering boom or excessive haze, although listeners sensitive to a highly revealing sound may prefer the supplied damping options.
Soundstage Imaging
88/100
For a closed-back headphone, the Noire creates a notably open and dimensional presentation with strong centre focus, extended depth and convincing movement across the stereo field. Instrument placement is often described as pinpoint, although one reviewer found exact positional definition less dependable on busy classical recordings.
Dynamics
91/100
Reviewers praise lightning-fast transients, lively microdynamic information and punchy rhythmic drive. The Noire responds especially well to a capable amplifier; underpowered sources can make it sound comparatively flat and inconsistent.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Comfort Fit
91/100
Multiple reviewers find the Noire exceptionally light and comfortable, citing its 328g weight, generous circumaural openings and effective headband design. Clamp is generally described as moderate and secure, though the fit may feel slightly snug to some and the headband adjustment is not the easiest.
Build Quality
92/100
Reviewers describe an exquisite, premium-feeling construction that combines carbon fibre, aluminium and titanium. The material choice and compact engineering are said to produce a durable headphone without compromising its remarkably low weight.
Features Usability
90/100
The included tuning kit gives owners meaningful scope to tailor the tonal balance, particularly around treble presence and damping. Its folding design and compact hard case also make it unusually easy to transport for a high-end closed-back headphone.
Value for Money
92/100
At $899.99, reviewers repeatedly regard the Noire as highly competitive, with one stating that noticeably better sound would require spending significantly more. The main qualification is that it benefits from a quality source and amplifier, which can raise the total system cost.
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Manufacturer's Description — Dan Clark Audio
ÆON 2 Noire is the latest edition of our award-winning ÆON 2 Closed headphone. Featuring a bold metallic black paint ÆON 2 Noire sports a perforated ear-pad to deliver an all-new sound. In fact, ÆON 2 Noire's tuning almost exactly aligns to the “Harman Curve,” gently boosting bass and treble compared to ÆON 2 Closed. The result is a “lighter” sounding midrange and a soundstage that moves the “stage” a bit further from the listener for a wider and deeper space
BACK IN BLACK
Since we launched ÆON 2 we have had two frequent requests: make a black version, and offer it with the perforated pads. Well we listened, and here it is! Experience the dynamics, detail and smooth sound of ÆON 2, with a striking black finish and a vibrant new sound with an expanded soundstage and a lighter midrange tone relative to its ÆON 2 Closed sibling.
BIGGER SOUND, LIGHTER WEIGHT
Most lightweight headphones are primarily made of plastic, but we wanted to find a stronger, more durable alternative - so we constructed ÆON 2’s headband and baffle entirely out of carbon fiber, aluminum, and titanium. Clocking in at a featherweight 328 grams, ÆON 2 is among the most comfortable headphones on the market, but built to stand the test of time.
NEW TECH, FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS
Every Dan Clark Audio planar magnetic headphone is powered by a 100% proprietary driver. No off-the-shelf parts stuck into a new enclosure here - our drivers are designed in-house! Features include: Super-efficient transducer keeps weight down by reducing magnet size Patented Trueflow technology improves airflow through the motor, producing a major upgrade in detail retrieval (AEON 2 sports our advanced second-generation Trueflow design) Patented V-Planar driver processing: textures the driver surface for superior low-frequency performance and improved diaphragm stability
BIG FUN NEVER PACKED SO SMALL
ÆON 2’s unique and patented folding gimbal design allows it to pack into a truly compact case that can fit into nearly anything, even a large purse. For travelers who crave that full-size headphone experience but have limited space, ÆON 2 sets a new standard in portable excellence.
WHICH ÆON IS FOR ME?
Don’t be fooled: while it looks a lot like the ÆON RT, the ÆON 2 is a completely new and updated design. ÆON 2’s brand new driver uses our second generation TrueFlow technology that takes detail retrieval, dynamics, bass extension, and soundstage to a whole new level - which is why the New York Times Wirecutter called ÆON 2 Closed the best-sounding closed headphone under $2,000. And did we mention that it packs down to half its size?
For the budget-conscious, ÆON RT (Re-Tuned) headphones update our award-winning ÆON Flow with bumped up bass and crisper highs than the original. The result: ÆON RT delivers a springier and more dynamic listening experience, prioritizing affordability, fun-factor, and (of course) amazing sound quality! It doesn’t hurt that it’s unbelievably comfortable, and still made in San Diego. It’s not an ÆON 2, but it’s the next best thing!
PERFORMANCE
- Driver: 62mm x 34mm single-ended planar magnetic
- Driver matching: +/-2dB to target curve, channel matched to 0.5dB weighted 30-8KHz
- THD: less than 0.3% 20-20KHz, 0.1% 100-8KHz
- Headband: Nickel-Titanium (Nitinol) memory metal
- Baffle: Carbon Fiber
- Earpads: Japanese Synthetic Protein Leather
IN THE BOX
- ÆON 2 Noire headphone
- Carrying case
- ¼” with 3.5mm OR 4-Pin XLR Cable (optional upgrade to VIVO cable)
- Certificate of authenticity
- Manual
- Tuning kit
- Patent D855579 for our unique tear-drop headphone design and hingeless headband
- US Patent 10631098 for our Trueflow technology
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