Looking for some unique sounding closed-backs, AEON Closed?

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by dropadred, Aug 18, 2018.

  1. dropadred

    dropadred New

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    It is a few hair and headphones back I realized I somehow incline towards closed-backs. For the longest time I do keep MrSpeakers Alpha Dog with a bit opened bass-reflex vents to have them a tad more alive.

    I would like to, however, try something new, naturally one of the hot options for me is what MrSpeakers does the best (IMO), closed-back, specifically looking at Aeon Closed.

    Just a couple have come to my mind:
    - (owned) ZMF Eikon (even if technically not that closed) --a price highly dependent of an offer, usually they go for ~1000€ (that is too much, I love headphones, but I love 1000€ more)
    - Argon Mk3 (370€(~430$)
    - Fostex TR-X00 Ebony (590€(~690$))
    all prices are an estimate of the final price incl. tax and import fees (Slovakia, Europe).

    I guess from these the exact sonic preference is not clarified, but in general, I like a sub-bass (not DT1770-levels however, that is just too much), I do not fancy mid-bass, I do not like too exaggerated higher mids (7-10k, like a lot of IEMs). And I like a spacious sound, but I found out I feel AD are not the wider sounding headphones and yet I am very satisfied with its soundstage.

    However, I feel I am lacking a sufficient overview, do you have any recommendation for that price (can be cheaper, too)? Aeons shall be for circa 780€ (900$), so I this is a cost I consider the very maximum.

    DAC/AMP is A-GD R2R 11 (1,8W into 50Ohm).
     
  2. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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    If you really like the Eikon sound (I do) there is the ZMF Ori (used to be Omni) which is a little more closed, and...similar sounding. It's definitely the same family.

    My friend @Pharmaboy has a pair I've spent a bit of time with, and they are a good set as well (MO).

    They go for $899 (USD) new which is about 785 Euro right now I believe, obviously cheaper for used sets.

    Either way, good luck with your search.
     
  3. dropadred

    dropadred New

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    I should add I have not heard any of those headphones (shows where one can try a lot of those is out of my reach, unfortunately), however thank you for another tip. I have miss-typed the word at Eikon, it shall be used, not owned.

    I will keep an eye for an used pair (a new one would be a bit pricey...100899,99€ to be exact (a cute typo!)).
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2018
  4. dropadred

    dropadred New

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    Okay, a bit overdue, but at least now. Some time after this I have had Aeon Closed (an "older" version without multiple tuning pads, only the black ones, but I did not those pads anyway), so I went to comparing with Alpha Dog back and forth.

    Well, long story short they are long gone, I liked them, 60% of them (I have, honestly, did not find that tear-drop cup as comfortable and human-ish as I was originally anticipating when I saw them on the picture), I liked the soundstage, it was not that wide, but it was extended more towards front and back (Alpha Dog would be more of an elipse expanding to the sides and Aeon Closed a circle). However, they were just too much in the treble and I felt that for that amount of treble they did not have enough low-end to balance it properly.

    I had Focal Elex for couple of weeks...A bit sibilant for my taste and they felt somehow uncomfortable.

    Is there anyone who had a chance to evaluate some of these headphones I named, maybe to point me in the right direction? As far as the money I would be willing to spend on it...I would top it out at used Ether C/C Flow price, so let's say 1000$ (up to 900€).

    I am not rushing, just brainstorming, I shall rather start thinking about replacing A-GD R2R 11, but I like playing with headphones more.
     
  5. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

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    Sennheiser HD250 is a unique closed headphone. It does need a bit of power to get it going especially the 600ohm model. Can be found quite cheep on occasion
     
  6. Dr J

    Dr J Friend

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    LFF's Paradox or Paradox Slants are often praised and are the best I have heard. Had Alpha Primes at the same time and ended up keeping Paradoxes.

    However, they may be hard to find. Check with LFF here or at Enigmatic Audio. Just sold my Slants here, you can find some description and links to Slants threads in my FS and at Changstar. Probably there are threads on regular Paradoxes as well.
     

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