Dan Clark Audio is making some bold claims about its latest wired headphones. It says the Aeon Core set a new standard for closed-back headphones under the £1000 mark, thanks to their new planar magnetic driver, revised tuning and wider compatibility.
Believe it or not, like others in the Aeon line before them, these are the brand's entry-level pair. Which gives you an idea of its prestige.
It also claims that their sound is "unusually open" for a closed-back pair, delivering a "spacious, detailed, articulate and expressive" performance.
At the heart of these cans is the all-new planar magnetic driver stack, which promises efficiency, tonal consistency and unit-to-unit reliability. Dan Clark Audio claims this makes them easier to drive than most planar magnetic headphones, with their sensitivity reaching 97dB/mW making them compatible with portable DAC/amps, dongles and desktop setups, as well as more powerful headphone amps. All you need is 125mW into 16 ohms, and you're away.
This new stack features a new diaphragm material which enhances efficiency and reliability, while the brand's V-Planar tech is found on the diaphragm's surface to reduce distortion, enhance dynamic performance and optimise the frequency response.
The Aeon Core are also the first headphones to be developed using a new variation on the Harman Curve, the industry gold standard frequency response profile that Dan Clark Audio feel is now outdated due to modern sound measuring technologies. Company founder Dan Clark worked with original Harman Curve inventor Dr. Sean Olive to come up with an updated version.
Hence the tuning has been slightly tweaked from previous Aeon models. We're promised a slightly leaner upper bass, gently lifted lower midrange and softer upper midrange.
But from a design perspective, the cans are recognisably Dan Clark Audio. Their new aluminium and dark wood aesthetic combines with the signature Aeon earpads, lightweight titanium headband and self-adjusting suspension strap. At 440g, they might be light for a pair of planar magnetic headphones, but they're still heavier than the AirPods Max 2.
Bundled is a detachable cable with either a balanced 4.4mm, 4-pin XLR or 6.35/3.5mm connector – the choice is yours.
The Aeon Core go on sale in early July for £920 (around $1200 / AU$1700). In the UK, they're distributed by Electromod.
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