Mr. Speakers AEON

Yup, proof that there's more to headphones than FR, thank you. Bit of a frustrating thing, that people keep insisting otherwise. Eh, everyone's entitled to their own opinions, only some are very wrong

Sorry, missed that you've been away from the HFMs for a while. Been curious about the Sundaras so was looking for additional data points. Ideal thing to do would always be to borrow a pair or demo em, just not been able to do get around much lately. Thanks either way for the reply!

 

The Sundaras really are the best headphones I've owned in recent history but they get a knock for their low volume performance. You have to turn them up and even then smaller details get lost. It's less offensive than it sounds.
I mainly sold the Sundaras because I traded into the Rag to properly power them and found fatigue instead. Blamed the headphones and out they went, funny thing is they're the least offensive pairing with the Rag I've owned. Oops.

 

Received mine today: MrSpeakers Aeon Flow open back. Over 40 hours reading, research and careful thought went into making this selection. Paid £800.

Background
My three criteria for this headphone was: (i) comfort; (ii) bass; (iii) non-fatiguing sound. Intended for 12hr daily listening sessions in my home office.

For the first ten minutes, the right channel of these headphones did not seem to be working. It then inexplicably popped up to full volume while I was listening.

Previously, the zenith of my audiophile experience was my Campfire Audio Vegas, which I have used daily for the past 12 months. Amp/DAC is a Grace m900 in Class-2 USB High Power (2A) mode. I listen predominantly to classical, ambient-electronica, jazz and EDM.

The reason that I needed to upgrade to full-sized headphones was that IEMs, while offering brilliantly direct sound, can become uncomfortable after extended periods. Especially heavy, metal earpieces like the Vegas.

Impressions
In terms of sound, my initial impression of the AFOs is very positive. Comfort is excellent. Although I am still getting used to headphones over IEMs and have no experience with any other pair of headphones to compare these to. Glad I did not go for a substantially heavier pair like the Audezes.

From all the reviews and forum comments out there, I knew that the AFOs would be as comfortable as it gets. I am delighted to say that this has been confirmed. Great clamping pressure, earcup seal, and low weight.

The greatest worry for me was if the bass would be lacking. While the consensus was that the AFOs possess a warm sound, some commentators have suggested that their bass is, in some way, lacking. I have not found this.

My first few test tracks were all boomy and bassy. I had to test their low-end competence. The bass from the AFOs, even without 200hrs burn-in, was more than adequate, particularly for someone whose preferred IEMs are the Vegas.

Detail is excellent without being excessive. I am very glad they are not too bright. The soundstage, while criticised by many as the AFO’s only failing, is fine for me having upgraded from IEMs. Plus, I like a direct sound.

Conclusion
While there is of couse always a risk of reverse-justifying one’s own purchase, I really have no complaints about investing in the AFOs.

I nearly went for the Campfire Audio Cascades. But I am glad that I went for the AFOs. They feel less heavy and sound more neutral.

 

Thanks for the impressions

A good rule of thumb is to post what source, amp or whatever you're using, since we're all curious bastards here & feel that the chain is important.

I've only demoed the AFO myself, but I do enjoy their sound.

Enjoy!!
(Edit:reading too quickly is a bad habit, totally missed the Grace m900 comment)

 

I just tried my Aeon Flow Closed out on a Woo Audio WA-SE.. In my experience Aeons are power pigs and really like high current amps, Tube amps generally are not that so I wasn’t expecting much. I certainly didn’t expect to hear them sound significantly better than they ever had before, even at fairly high volume (90+ dB or, louder than I can comfortably listen).

I’ve tried a bunch of other headphones with the WA6-SE. They sounded great too. A little more warmth, a little darkeness, improved layering and microdynamics, a little more wetness and a wider, deeper soundstage compared to my very capable Lyr3. However, the improvements are incremental and the Lyr 3 does some things better. For example the Lyr 3 is faster, has better macro dynamics, a sense of sitting much closer to the stage, reaches a little deeper on sub bass and is more impactful on transients. Some people would probably prefer the Lyr3 as a matter of personal taste.

With the AFC, magic gets mixed in and the sound becomes amazing. Crystalline clarity coupled to great micro dynamics and soundstage wrapped with a warm, enveloping blanket of euphonic sound that somehow manages to be both real and better than real. The treble both sparkles and is non- fatiguing. Cymbals are rendered perfectly. Mids are present and gloriously alive. The bass is rich, textured, completely distortion free. Truly a great pairing IMHO.