Price
Dan Clark Audio Headphone Comparison
| AEON 2 Closed | AEON 2 Open | AEON 2 Noire | ETHER 2 | Expanse | Stealth | VOCE | |
|
|
$899 |
$899 |
$899 |
$2,199 |
Text |
$3,999 |
$3,299 |
|
Type |
Closed |
Open |
Closed |
Open |
Open |
Closed |
Open |
|
Sound |
Warm side of neutral |
Warm side of neutral |
V-shaped |
Warm, lush |
Detailed, wide, |
Natural, detailed |
Neutral, |
|
Driver |
62mmx34mm |
62mmx35mm |
62mmx34mm |
71mmx45mm |
76mmx51mm |
76mmx51mm |
88mm electrostatic |
|
Weight |
11.5 oz |
12 oz |
11.3 oz |
10.2 oz |
14.7 oz |
14.6 oz |
13.1 oz |
|
Ear pads |
Synthetic protein |
Synthetic protein |
Synthetic protein |
Synthetic protein |
Synthetic suede |
Synthetic suede |
Napa lamb leather |
|
Folding |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Headband |
NiTiNol |
NiTiNol |
NiTiNol |
NiTinol |
NiTiNol |
NiTiNol |
NiTiNol |
|
Head strap |
Solid |
Solid |
Solid |
Perforated |
Solid, |
Solid, |
Perforated |
|
Dragon |
Silver |
Silver |
Silver |
Silver |
Silver or Black |
Black |
N/A |
AEON 2: A Portable Planar Magnetic Headphone
The open-back and closed-back AEON 2, released in 2020, replace the original AEON Flow headphones. Aesthetically, the AEON is much the same, with unique ergonomic teardrop-shaped ear cups. However, the AEON 2 features a second-generation motor design that bumps up the bass, increases soundstage, and delivers realistic dynamics. For the AEON 2, Dan took the driver from the flagship ETHER 2 and completely redesigned it. The result is a headphone that resolves music on an emotional level unheard of at this price point: visceral bass, transparent mids, and detail in the upper frequencies that is complementary, not fatiguing.
Like its predecessor, the AEON 2 features a patented folding gimbal design that allows for easy folding and portability in a sturdy case that is half the size of the previous AEON. The AEON 2 is available as a closed-back (read our review) or an open-back (read our review) headphone. Additionally, the closed-back AEON 2 Noire (read our review) offers a more "fun" sound in contrast to the more neutral-warm sound of the other two.
Expanse: Wide-Open Sound
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Introducing EXPANSE, Dan Clark Audio’s Open-Back Headphone Our flagship EXPANSE sets a new standard in open-back headphone musicality, soundstage, and comfort. Featuring Dan Clark Audio’s all-new 4th generation planar magnetic driver and breakthrough Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System, EXPANSE delivers a stunningly smooth presentation to bring new depth and breadth to all your favorite music. And we didn’t stop at improving the soundstage and detail; we also redesigned our headband to deliver a big step up in both ergonomics and comfort!
Read our review of the Expanse.
Stealth: A Headphone That "Disappears"
Introducing Dan Clark Audio’s all-new Stealth closed back headphone. Four years in the making, the flagship Stealth sets a new standard in headphone performance and ergonomics. Featuring Dan Clark Audio’s all-new 4th generation planar magnetic driver and breakthrough Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System, Stealth delivers a stunningly smooth presentation to bring new life and enjoyment to all your favorite music. They didn’t stop at improving the sound either; they also redesigned our headband to deliver a big step up in both ergonomics and comfort!
Read our review of the Stealth.
ETHER 2: A Super-Light Planar Magnetic Headphone
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The flagship ETHER 2 open-back headphone debuted 2018. More than just an update of the original ETHER and ETHER Flow headphones, the ETHER 2 features an all-new driver with 70 percent less trace mass and patented V-Planar driver processing, as well as a second-generation motor designed around Dan Clark's patented TrueFlow technology. The result is a headphone that resolves on the level of an electrostat.
With an all-metal and carbon fiber construction, the ETHER 2 weight a mere 10.2 ounces. It is the lightest Dan Clark headphone and one of the lightest TOTL headphones on the market.
The ETHER 2 has interchangeable ear pad options, each offering a unique sound. It's like having three headphones in one!
Read our review of the ETHER 2 headphones.
VOCE: An Electrostatic Headphone Game-Changer
Unveiled in 2018, the VOCE is Dan Clark Audio's flagship electrostatic headphone. Dan's goal with the VOCE was to create a headphone that is very fast and detailed, but that doesn't achieve its detail through an emphasis on the upper registers.
He envisioned something with powerful bass -- something he doesn't think any e-stat has accomplished. It took him longer than he anticipated to achieve the tuning he desired on the VOCE. The result? A very detailed, relaxed sound with incredible speed and detail, powerful bass, and a natural tonal balance.
Dan and his team went all in for the design of the VOCE, reinventing every aspect from the ultra-large 88mm driver to the fully custom silver-plated cable. They even built an in-house clean room for production to ensure the highest quality and reliability.
Read our review of the VOCE headphones.
Dragon Cables for Dan Clark Audio Headphones
For audiophiles wanting to squeeze out every last drop of performance from their headphones, we recommend upgrading to a Dragon cable. In fact, we have created a Silver Dragon Premium Cable and a Black Dragon Premium Cable specifically for Dan Clark Audio planar magnetic headphones. Dragon premium cables offer the same quality construction as our standard Dragon cables, with enhancements like premium rhodium-plated Furutech connectors and Mundorf MSolder SUPREME Silver-Gold that lend an extra layer of clarity to your music.
Similar to the standard Black Dragon headphone cable, the Premium version is extremely smooth sounding and reveals a remarkable low-end with wonderful voicing. Known for warmth and fullness, the Black Dragon is neither laid back nor lush. It uses 4 x 21.5 AWG Teflon-insulated UP-OCC copper conductors that enhance depth and definition and smooth out the top end without sacrificing detail. If you're looking for more romance in the sound, more impact on the bottom end, and loads of musicality, this cable will do it all.
The Silver Dragon Premium headphone cable is recommended for listeners who enjoy a more analytical sound. The Silver Dragon can improve the amount of clarity and detail from your music, increasing the soundstage of your headphones and allowing you to hear performances like never before. It provides great energy to your music and is great for all genres of music. This cable uses 4 x 99.99998% UP-OCC Stranded Silver 24AWG Teflon insulated stranded conductors.
For those who want to add a layer of clarity to their music without altering the sound signature of their headphones, we recommend the Blue Dragon headphone cable. Using copper strands, it combines the neutrality of the Black Dragon with the clarity of the Silver Dragon at a lower price point. The Blue Dragon is a good fit for improving dynamics without adding coloration.
