For anyone wondering, yes these DO require an amplifier of some kind to run. I ran them off of everything from the Drop THX AAA One, Vioelectric HPA V550, SPL Phonitor X, Cayin IHA-6 all without issue.

Thank you for this one. It influenced me to get the closed back version.

It's definately one of the lightest, most comfortable pair of headphones that I own (I have the open back version). I like it most when listening to jazz or to female vocalists as well as music that isn't recorded overly saturated. Anything that is recorded at a level that doesn't want to mash your brain with pounding, thunderous sub-bass. I'm not sure I'm expressing this effectively but I own a pair of Sony XB950BT which features super comfortable pads and is as light a headphone as I own and I can't stand to wear them for any longer than a half hour at a time because even without the Extra Bass feature they just hammer my head and give me a headache. The DCA gets too muddy in the low mids and bass on the type of music that is super energized in the lower regions for my taste. Being that I am 60 years old may have something to do with that too. It's a nice sounding headphone once you identify what it does best.

I own both the closed and open Aeon X and I thoroughly agree with this review. The Open X has more bass which does bleed slightly into the mids, but not egregiously so. The Closed X is comparatively leaner in the bass, but is much more resolving in the mids. Both are very good, but I would also recommend the Closed X. Amp required.

I love my open’s. They sound smooth and are comfortable so I listen to them while working from home. They are made for long listening sessions.

First time viewer for this channel, very nice work on explaining the tuning signatures across all the versions of these headphones. I have just one question, I am looking into getting eother the Aeon Open X or the monoprice m1070 because I have read they do well with heavy metal. The way you described the open x in this video sounds like what I am leading towards but I would like to know if you happened to listen to the m1070 in comparison.

Great review, definitely prefer the cleaner graph of the closed version, altough they are planar and should respond well to EQ, I wonder how big of a difference in soundstage size and imaging would be between the two

Compression of dynamics is a game changer for me. That's what distinguishes the ultimate differences between recorded music and live..a replication vs real. The main reason I've stayed away from planars chosing dynamic drivers like Focal over them. With the exception of electrostatics like Stax, who does "real" quite convincingly well.

Dumb little suggestion but could you guys make the graphs black/dark gray for future videos? I like how your background and such is somewhat dimly lit and even, but then in the dark you just get blasted in the eyes when the graphs come up. Just my suggestion, it's not a huge deal or anything.

I just picked up the Aeon Closed X and it’s easily my favorite closed back now. If it was a little less power hungry, I’d be able to get rid of my K361.

hi resolve!! i hope someday you do the review of the fostex th610. crinacle placed it high on their list even though he don't like closed backs. i think is one of the better closed back under 1k.

Glad more people are starting to hear the Aeon Closed X (and Aeon Closed RT - which according to DCA is the same thing), it's been a bit of a sleeper.

Thank you for the review. Very insightful. With the open back, the video was clear what genres work best but I didn't hear what genres the closed back version would excel at. Can you clarify?

Although sold out on Drop (the Open X is still available on Amazon for $519; the Closed X is sold out there also), I believe that both open and closed versions of the virtually identical Aeon RT are still available direct from Dan Clark Audio for $499. They're not on sale but do have the no-cost option of an balanced XLR or single ended cable; the Drop versions are single ended only. I'm looking for a good planar to compliment my dynamic headphones and am seriously considering these, but I think the improvements in the Aeon 2 (more and better bass, more detail) are worth the price difference for me, so I'm planning on the Aeon 2 Noire (and a free XLR cable) in a few months (I'm retired on a fixed income, so it will take a few months to save up the price of admission).

i own the open x paired with ifi zen dac V2 and THX 789, so far it's been a verry good expérience with the setup but i'm wondering if i should snap on some balanced câbles.

Thanks for this insightful comparison. The Drop Aeon X Closed appears to have many excellent qualities, and the price is certainly attractive. The one characteristic that makes me somewhat hesitant to buy these headphones is the lack of dynamic impact you mention (and other reviewers have noted as well). I listen primarily to Classical Music, so soundstage is also very important to me, but unfortunately this video doesn't discuss that factor. Do you have any subjective impressions concerning the soundstage performance of these Aeon models?

Drop changed the case. I have an old pair of Aeon X from them and it had the same case as the Aeon Flow (with Mr.Speaker as the engraving and the collab name inside the papers is also with the old company name) and even on the package it said Aeon Flow instead of Aeon X. Onestly love them

Awesome review , is there a difference between the Drop Closed Aeon X & The Aeon Closed RT?

Thx for your video. I love Techno music, do you think this headphone on closed back version do the job ?!? If not, how closed back do the better please ?!?

Hi, really thanks for sharing. I'm choosing between Focal elegia and Meze 99 classic, anyone has advice? Thanks you

Really helpful. I really like my HiFiMain Sundara, particularly with Oratory1990 EQ driven by a Schiit Hel 2 (and mostly liked EQ-d BD DT1990 Pro, but too much of a hassle to "fix" them) but need to go for a closed back with decent soundstage. What would I miss (and gain) getting the Closed X vs the Sundara, considering I don't mind EQing, listen to just about everything). E.g. soundstage, the softness/lack of slam you mention, vs Sundara, Thanks!

I have really been looking forward to your take on these headphones as I am interested in the Closed X. I bought the Sundara on your recommendation and I could not ask for more in that headphone I absolutely love them. I do however need a closed back headphone in my arsenal so I've been curious if you would recommend the Closed X over something like the Focal Elegia ($400) or another closed back in the price range. Saw someone mention something similar regarding the Focal and you mentioned the Closed X has the better stock FR so I assume the other qualities are comparable and that is a sort of tie breaker.

Love my Aeon 2 Noire XC planar magnetic headphones with the perorated pads which were recommended by Resolve.

Given that drop says they won't ship for a bit over a month I wonder if I can get the closed x elsewhere

How much of an upgrade would the closed x be coming from a dt880?

Is it worth forking out the extra cash for the Aeon 2 Noire over the X Closed?

Is there a powerful mini amp someone recommends that could power these? Hidizs? How do these compare with Fostex TR50s?

I own the aeon flow open (original) and replaced the original pads with perforated ones. Its a completely different headphone now, for the better of course. Soundstage expands (depth and width), mids are now more elevated without losing the warmth and lushness and highs are very balanced making the inserts redundant so you are not losing any detail. With old pads one notch for me was a must as highs were very hot. Also reduces the boosted midbass just a touch make it more balanced sounding.

Did you EQ these at all? If so, how did it change your opinions of them?

Are the Closed X worth it as upgrade from the akg K371?

URGENT QUESTION, today the focal Elegia is now on sale for the same price as the Aeon Closed X. Would you recommend one over the other? I know the elegia was your daily headphone for sometime, and this was a pretty positive review. Just curious what you think the better buy at $400 is.

Do you know if Fiio M11S DAP can drive these headphones without amp or dac?

Any chance for a closed x vs. Noire

Has anyone used either for watching movies/TV? I currently have a pair of Sundara's and wanted a similar response without the sound leak.

can someone compare the bass on the drop closed x vs focal elegia vs sony mdr z7m2? Im looking for clarity and detail in the lows, not necessarily quantity.

I suppose the closed x would make a better set for mixing, instead of the less linear mid bassy open x

I'm torn between these open X's and the Hifiman Edition XS and there aren't a whole lot of comparisons between the two on youtube or reddit or anywhere really.

I bought the Drop closed for roughly half of the price of non-Drop version from local retailers. Which led me to wonder if I was getting an inferior product - turns out that I'm not missing out. Thanks

I've always been curious about the DCA headphones.... but the inserts were a turn off

On sale for $400 (open) and $379 (closed).

Open, Closed or Audeze LCD2C?

I'm really curious how these compare to the focal elegias. The Elegias seem more mid/vocal focused vs the Aeon

Anyone have a dac/amp combo that would be good for the closed x?

Hi,im looking for some help,I love to listen to mostly country and some soft rock also some time just utube videos talking,I have some worn out beats wired and I need some help with a couple choices,I dont know 0 about it,just like some great sounding headphones, probably 800 to 900 max,dont know anything about dacs/amps,and id like to run off my Samsung note 9 phone,oh and dont know about open or closed back?,please recommend a couple setups for me,just want it to be kinda simple,set it and forget it,thank you for you consideration, appreciate it very much

Modern age tyll

Emu Teaks or Aeon Closed X and why?

i cant decide between the focal elegia and the dca aeon closed x. im not planning to eq. heeeeeelp meee.

Aeon x closed vs Focal Celestee ... who wins?

1:25 Andrew, are you sure you listened to those? :)

ARE THEY GOOD FOR GAMING 😅

I listened to Zeos sound demos. The open seems to have a bit more soundstage but the modhouse t60 argon has a lot more than both of them.

Aeon X Closed vs Aeon Noire?

Is the Noire better than Closed X in dynamics and detail?

11:23

Both out of stock

Headphones that bleed into the mids aren't good for rock and metal. That's the number one characteristic you do not want in a headphone.

The design of the... headband? The top part, with the two struts and the cloth bridge thing, is absolute garbage. One of the metal struts snapped after about 2 years of use and is currently poking me in the head. I guess my head is too wide for these? Regardless it's a terrible design compared to a normal headband