Dan Clark Audio Aeon RT Closed Impressions

I drafted this whole long thing about how the Aeon RT sounds okay stock but has a bit of an identity crisis, combining Harman bass with Audeze upper mids and Hifiman treble. I was going to explain that while most EQ profiles push the Aeon RT closer to a full-on Harman tuning, I think that deep down it wants to be an Audeze and when I EQ it along those lines I actually find it more enjoyable (if colored). As a bonus I was going even going to talk about advanced spatialization with Redline Monitor. But then this morning, while listening to Joni Mitchell, I switched over to my HD58, got lost in the music for a bit and almost lost interest in writing this review.

Seriously though, the Aeon 2 RT is pretty good, especially for a closed back. Although it doesn't sound as natural as the HD58X (what does(?)), the sound is impressively open, and it's very clear/detailed even when you EQ the treble down (please don't use the detail-robbing filters!). When EQ'd closer to an Audeze target (more energy around 2 KHz and way less treble) it doesn't sound as soft as stock. It still won't slam like an actual Audeze, but in exchange for that you don't get the extreme upper mid suckout. And the build quality, comfort and isolation are exemplary.

In any case, the standout sonic feature of this thing is that it both isolates like crazy and manages to sound way more open and spacious than the HD58X, which makes it great for listening while working. Out of my departed HD598CS, current AKG K371 and this, the Aeon is definitely my pick for closed back listening.