Dan Clark Audio ÆON 2 Planar Magnetic Headphones
Portable planar bliss—reference sound that folds in half
If you’ve been chasing rich, low‑distortion planar magnetic sound without the bulk, the ÆON 2 is the rare headphone that does it all. It delivers the speed and texture audiophiles love, deep and controlled bass, and a fatigue‑free presentation—then packs down into a compact travel case thanks to a patented folding gimbal. Choose Open for airy staging or Closed for excellent isolation with a surprisingly spacious image. Either way, you get a lightweight 328 g build crafted from titanium, aluminum, and carbon fiber for hours‑long comfort.
Why Audiophiles Choose This Product
- • Sound quality: Engaging, low‑distortion planar performance with powerful sub‑bass and a smooth, natural mid/treble balance. The Closed model is frequently praised as “open‑sounding” for a sealed headphone, with exceptional bass extension; the Open model offers a broader sense of space with a warmer, fuller low end. Fit and seal matter—achieve a good seal and the bass goes deep.
- • Engineering: 62 × 34 mm proprietary planar magnetic driver with TrueFlow V2 motor and V‑Planar diaphragm processing for improved airflow, lower distortion, and more realistic dynamics—technology derived from DCA’s flagship designs.
- • Practical comfort: Ultralight 328 g chassis with nitinol (memory‑metal) headband, carbon fiber baffle, plush Japanese protein‑leather pads, and a patented folding gimbal that halves the packed size for travel.
- • Compatibility: Purely wired and easy to integrate—comes with a detachable 2 m DUMMER cable (3.5 mm with 6.35 mm adapter or 4‑pin XLR), plus optional 4.4 mm and premium VIVO cable upgrades. A tuning kit with acoustic filters lets you tailor the tonal balance.
- • Unique to ÆON 2: Hand‑built and tested in San Diego, protected by multiple patents (TrueFlow, multi‑layer damping, and the foldable gimbal), and offered in both Open and Closed variants to match your listening environment.
What’s Included
- • ÆON 2 headphones (Open or Closed): 62 × 34 mm single‑ended planar magnetic driver; folding gimbal design.
- • Detachable primary cable: 2 m DUMMER cable in your choice of 3.5 mm with 6.35 mm adapter or 4‑pin XLR; optional 4.4 mm and VIVO upgrades available.
- • Carrying case: Compact hard‑shell, sized for the folded headphone.
- • Tuning kit: Acoustic filters/inserts to fine‑tune the voicing.
- • Documentation: Manual and certificate of authenticity.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Wired over‑ear planar magnetic | Detachable dual‑entry cable; travel‑friendly folding design. |
| Driver | 62 × 34 mm single‑ended planar magnetic | Proprietary driver; TrueFlow V2 + V‑Planar processing. |
| Impedance | 13 Ω | Low‑impedance design; broadly source‑friendly. |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB/mW (Closed), approx. 94 dB/mW (Open) | Typical retailer‑reported values. |
| THD | <0.3% (20–20 kHz), <0.1% (100–8 kHz) | Low distortion across the band. |
| Driver matching | ±2 dB to target; 0.5 dB L/R (30 Hz–8 kHz) | Precision‑matched channels. |
| Headband | Nitinol memory‑metal | Light, resilient fit. |
| Baffle/Earpads | Carbon fiber / Japanese synthetic protein leather | Durable and comfortable. |
| Cable/termination | 2 m DUMMER; 3.5 mm + 6.35 mm adapter or 4‑pin XLR; optional 4.4 mm and VIVO | Swappable terminations for desktop or portable rigs. |
| Weight | ~328 g (without cable) | All‑day comfort. |
Notes on variants and fit
- Open vs. Closed: Open provides a larger, airier stage; Closed offers isolation with an unusually “open” presentation for a sealed design. Proper seal is important for full bass, especially on the Open model.
Professional Recognition
- Awards and lists: The ÆON 2 Open earned a MajorHiFi Gold Award and placement in year‑end “best of” roundups, highlighting its balanced, multidimensional sound at this tier.
- Review highlights:
- The Ear on ÆON 2 Closed: “Almost certainly the most open‑sounding closed‑back” they’ve auditioned, with bass that reaches below 20 Hz and a natural, cohesive response—“I really can’t fault it.”
- Headfonics on ÆON 2 Closed: Comfort, portability, and a refined, natural tuning—“one of the best‑fitting planars out there today,” with sound that’s “natural, planted, and easy to listen to.”
- Hi‑Fi News lab report on ÆON 2 Open: Sensitivity ~105 dB/V, impedance ~12 Ω, with strong LF extension when properly sealed, reflecting the design’s bass authority and low distortion.
- Heritage and build: All ÆON models are hand‑built and tested in San Diego, reflecting Dan Clark’s long‑standing focus on proprietary planar drivers and meaningful engineering improvements.
- Innovations and patents: Protected by patents covering the folding gimbal design, multi‑layer damping, and TrueFlow motor geometry.
The Bottom Line
ÆON 2 brings true planar refinement to everyday listening—at home, at the desk, or on the road. Its combination of low distortion, deep and controlled bass, and long‑wear comfort is matched by travel‑ready practicality and thoughtful tuning flexibility. Pick the Open model for maximum air and stage, or the Closed model for isolation without sacrificing spaciousness. Either way, you’re getting proven engineering, meticulous build, and a sound that earns consistent praise from reviewers and enthusiasts alike.
Guidance for headphone buyers (product‑specific)
- Connectivity: Wired only; choose your preferred termination (3.5 mm with 6.35 mm adapter, 4‑pin XLR, or optional 4.4 mm).
- Sound signature:
- Open: spacious, full‑bodied low end with airy staging.
- Closed: neutral‑to‑warm with impressive sub‑bass extension and an unusually open presentation for a sealed design.
- Comfort: Lightweight chassis, memory‑metal headband, and deep pads make it an easy all‑day wear for most listeners.
- Tuning flexibility: Included acoustic filters let you dial treble smoothness and bass presence to taste.
































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