Dan Clark Audio Launches AEON CORE Headphones
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Design
The Dan Clark Audio AEON CORE Headphones blend the historic design of the AEON series with the qualities of the Dan Clark Audio E3 Headphones–same ovoid ear cup shape but with the E3's headband suspension system.
There's nothing worse than buying a pair of headphones only for them to arrive with a cable termination that doesn't work for half the gear you intended to use. Dan Clark Audio has eliminated that frustration by allowing the customer to choose the included DUMMER cable's termination at the time of checkout. Choose between a 1/4"-3.5mm, 4-pin XLR, or 4.4mm. Also included with the AEON CORE is a microfiber cleaning cloth, a velvet bag to store the headphones (or cable) in, and a quick user guide. While you might be a tad disappointed that there's no included case, these were strategic moves by Dan Clark Audio to reduce manufacturing costs as much as possible to guarantee an affordable headphone. Personally, if I had to choose between a case and a vital technology, I'd keep the technology.
Sound
The AEON CORE Headphones encompass Dan Clark Audio's signature sound: natural, lifelike, and smooth. It follows the Harman Target Curve practically to the T, and that's no easy task. As a result, you get an incredibly balanced, lifelike listening experience. Midrange vocals are natural and emotive, while the low-end is articulate and punchy.
While the AEON CORE is one of the easier headphones in their lineup to drive–significantly easier than the Dan Clark Audio Stealth–it still benefits from capable amplification, be it from a headphone amplifier, DAP, or DAC/Amp. Historically, their headphones also benefit from a burn-in period, and the AEON CORE was no different.
- Delivers an out-of-your-head listening experience. Despite being a closed-back headphone, it does not have a highly immersive sound quality.
JUDE SAYS IT SOUNDS LIKE STEALTH--- DOES IT ACTUALLY? COMPARE THE TWO
Performance is comparable to the STEALTH, Jude says. If you couldn't afford the STEALTH, the AEON CORE is one of the most affordable alternatives in DCA's lineup.
Features
- Closed-back planar magnetic design — successor to the acclaimed ÆON 2
- All-new driver engineered for maximum efficiency and low distortion
- Tuned to a revised Harman over-ear target developed with Dr. Sean Olive
- Bold aluminum and wood aesthetic — a fresh look in the ÆON lineage
- Lightweight at just 328g for extended listening comfort
- Ultra-low impedance (17Ω) — pairs easily with portable and desktop sources
- High sensitivity (~97 dB/mW) for efficient, dynamic playback
- Available with premium DUMMER or VIVO cable upgrade options
The AEON CORE Headphones feature a newly designed driver engineered for maximum efficiency and low distortion.
NO AMTS technology in the AEON CORE. Why no AMTS?
AMTS technology has become one of Dan Clark Audio's cornerstone technologies, so many were surprised to discover the AEON CORE didn't feature AMTS. In a recent interview with Dan Clark, Head-Fi.org Founder and Editor Jude Mansilia asked the question on everyone's mind, "Why no AMTS in the AEON CORE?" And Dan Clark's answer made perfect sense.
While AMTS has its place and it does a great job of opening up the soundstage, the AEON CORE was designed as a reference-grade headphone under $1,000. AMTS is one of the company's more expensive technologies to produce and employ, and had they included it, the AEON CORE would have breached the sub $1K price point. Dan Clark Audio deployed a combination of diffusion and absorption technologies that smoothed the high-frequency response to levels comparable to what AMTS achieves–without the cost and complexity associated with the AMTS part.
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What's in the Box
- AEON CORE headphones
- Choice of DUMMER cable (1/4"–3.5mm, 4-pin XLR, or 4.4mm, 2m) — included configuration
Specifications
Physical Specifications:
Model: Dan Clark Audio ÆON CORE
Type: Closed-Back Over-Ear Headphone
Weight: 328 g
Headband: Titanium with self-adjusting suspension strap
Ear Cup Finish: Anodized aluminum with dark gray wood finish
Ear Pads Signature: AEON earpads
Origin: Designed and assembled in San Diego, California, USA
Technical Specifications
Transducer Type: Planar Magnetic Driver. All-new high-efficiency planar magnetic driver stack-engineered for efficiency, tonal consistency, and unit-to-unit reliability. Impedance: 17 ohms
Sensitivity: ~97 dB/mWTHD (Total Harmonic Distortion)< 0.1% ref 80 dB White Noise
Recommended Amplifier Power: 125 mW or more into 16 ohms (minimum)
Tuning Target: Revised Harman Over-Ear Target (developed with Dr. Sean Olive; corrected for GRAS measurement systems)
Connectivity Specifications
Cup-Side Connector: DCA standard locking dual-entry connector (compatible with AEON, STEALTH, EXPANSE, and CORINA series)
Included Cable: 2 m DUMMER cable (buyer-selected termination)
Available Terminations: 1/4" with 3.5mm adapter (single-ended), 4-pin XLR balanced, and 4.4mm balanced
Optional Upgrade Cable: VIVO cable (available in multiple lengths and terminations)
Additional Information
Predecessor: Dan Clark Audio ÆON 2Source Compatibility: Portable DAC/amps, USB-C dongles, desktop amplifiers, digital audio players
