Kinda sad Tyll closed his business. He really was the best headphone reviewer out there. Wish he would come back and do the reviews of Ether 2, Voce and maybe even Heddphone :-)
I really love it when knowledgeable people like Tyll or even Jude who know the industry and have listened too and own well know top tier muliti thousand dollar cans just come out and say its not perfectly flat or neutral, but I enjoy it and think its a product for me. Much respect!
Jeremy Weaver ... hope this is what you're looking for. I literally cried spending 800 bucks, but it's given me endless rewards...and the filters do come in handy when the need arises.
I'm really diggin' the AFO with a record collection which took me over 50 years to accumulate. It IS the upgrade I wanted from my 650s. I relate to the kind of sound signature Tyll usually favors, so watching this review again after having the AFO for a few months, I'd say he's spot-on with his words if one can decipher them. Maybe not for those who grew up with MP3s and games. Perhaps the closed version would suit them more. Regardless, I think Dan Clark set a new standard with his AF line.
John, the point was that Dan, who runs MrSpeakers, has been producing pretty damn good headphones that its basically beating everything on Tyl's wall of fame aside from electrostats (atleast on the Open-backs list... until Dan makes an Electrostat.
Great review! Would you recommend these as an upgrade from Fidelio X2 as all-round for music and gaming(medium to big soundstage)? I like many different kinds of music but what I listen to more than rest is somewhat calm yet powerful electronic music. I like the combination of base and clarity. I got a Mayflower Electronics O2 rev.B ODAC/Amp. Or wound you recommend any other headphone for up to this pricerange? Thanks!
I purchased my pair directly from Dan Clark here in San Diego about two weeks prior to official release. After hearing them on Dan’s reference set up I had to have them on the spot. Surprisingly even a simple set up of Roon>Tidal Masters> Apogee Groove can produce astounding clarity and a very musical accuracy. Often you get one without the other. I watched a film using them the other night and was completely immersed in details from every direction in the audio-scape. The lightweight and comfort makes them all but disappear once you’re lost in the audio. ** Just to experiment I used the Audeze LCD MX4 DSP in the Roon app and “hearing is believing.”**
Pair either set of Aeon’s, open or closed, with a high current amplifier. The most impressive thing about them, like high end Audeze, is how incredibly much these planar magnetics’ sound quality scales with abundant current. Also, drive them fully balanced if you can.
My review: they sounded like toys with a 5khz spike. They were defective. Returned mine for refund 4/24/19, just 1 day after they arrived. Don't buy Chinese headphones.
the 8-10khz region wouldn't be as noticeable on the open version due to the open headphones work but i listened to the aeon flow open and compared them to the hd650 and it was only slightly brighter in the 8-10khz range.
Which one do you prefer, Focal Elear or Aeon Flow Open? I have Focal Elear at the moment, great bass slam for an open back headphones, highs not fatiguing but the mids feel a bit wonky due to the dip high-mids, making the female vocals sound somewhat muted and artificial and the transition between bass-mids-highs not as smooth.
Gerald Ken I happen to own both. They compliment each other surprisingly well (after burn-in). AFO brings more treble emphasis and detail retrieval but rolls-off in sub-bass. Which I find is sort of the opposite with the Elear (save for detail retrieval which it can still do quite well). Both have a dip in the upper mids, but the AFO has more quantity than the Elear.
Strangely, he did not eq these headphones during review (or at least did not mention it). That may be a good thing; he seems to have to eq most other reviewed headphones to 'fix' them.
I am using Bluetooth headphones for my flights and workouts most of the time, and I am thinking of transiting to a cabled set for home use. Would this Aeon Flow open be better or the Aeon Flow closed? From where I live, I can also get the Oppo PM-2 for only about USD460. Which would you choose? Thank you for your advice.
Are these better than iSine20? How do they sound in comparison to iSine20? Just bought the iSine20 and I am curious to know about these. I can still return them and get something else, either headphones or in ear ... as long as it’s going to give me better sound, I’m all for it.
Nice review! Sounds like a very nice pair of headphones. TYLL- DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR A REVIEW ON THE VERY GOOD BEYERDYNAMIC DT1990 PRO’S? WOULD MAKE FOR A GREAT VID/READING COMPARISON FOR THAT “TOUGH TO FIND” GREAT MID-FI PRICED, $600-800 BUDGET HEADPHONES. THANKS
I had the 1990 pro for three days and couldn't believe how bad it was making my piano libraries sound in the top end. I sent it back and replaced it with the HD 600. Miles better for producing the natural tones of my pianos. Of course I'm sacrificing on the bass, but that's a small price to pay compared to the 1990 pro making me hate the sound of my pianos.
Be smart save your money. Buy one flagship and save your money for the next few years as headphones can only sound just a tiny tiny bit better. Sound is hitting a platue weather you like to believe it or not. You can only tweak a planar or dynamic driver so much.
Can't wait for the Focal Clear review as well! What did you think about the bass extension vs Ether Flow? When I compared them, the AEON seemed to run out of steam a bit abruptly towards the lower end, while the Ether seemed smoother, or simply had more steam left in the particular song. The Ether also seems to have a bit more bass in general, almost too much I find. Surprising for an open(ish) headphone.
Even tho it may sound absurd. Get dt880 600ohm. They are really good. I find them more tastful and accurate than focal. Ether flow sounds really good tho and hifiman he1000 v2.
its 5db below the bass line though. plus add in the dip in upper mids, where flat upper mids or boosted upper mids would normally makes trebles spikes more painful.
The Aeon Flow Open got to be the most disappointing pair of headphones I have tried in a long time. Detail/Resolution is not bad, but at its price range not great. Dynamics are mediocre at best. The have a long and relatively deep dip in the upper midrange lover treble and then spike back up at 9k, which makes cymbals and hi-hats rather overemphasized. If you want bass quality get Audeze LCD2C, and if you want a good allrouder/more neutral sounding headphone at the same price range as the Aeon Flow Open get the Elex in stead.
It seems that the Clear disappointed Tyll so bad that if he posts a review he’s gonna ruin his good relationship with the Focal folks so he decided not to.
ultrasone signature pro is the best closed back headphones under $1000 ever made... The thus called TOTL headphones(i own practically all of them bar the electrostatics) are so overrated in my over 50 experience as an audiophile.
Kinda sad Tyll closed his business. He really was the best headphone reviewer out there. Wish he would come back and do the reviews of Ether 2, Voce and maybe even Heddphone :-)
I really love it when knowledgeable people like Tyll or even Jude who know the industry and have listened too and own well know top tier muliti thousand dollar cans just come out and say its not perfectly flat or neutral, but I enjoy it and think its a product for me. Much respect!
Really been looking forward to this review.
Jeremy Weaver ... hope this is what you're looking for. I literally cried spending 800 bucks, but it's given me endless rewards...and the filters do come in handy when the need arises.
Can't wait to demo these, it might be exactly what i'm looking for.
I'm really diggin' the AFO with a record collection which took me over 50 years to accumulate. It IS the upgrade I wanted from my 650s. I relate to the kind of sound signature Tyll usually favors, so watching this review again after having the AFO for a few months, I'd say he's spot-on with his words if one can decipher them. Maybe not for those who grew up with MP3s and games. Perhaps the closed version would suit them more. Regardless, I think Dan Clark set a new standard with his AF line.
dear dan, we need moar filters for the closed ones! >-
Excellent review as always..enjoy
The way MrSpeakers knocking off all stuff from his wall of fame I think one day Dan will demolish his entire house ;)
huh?
John, the point was that Dan, who runs MrSpeakers, has been producing pretty damn good headphones that its basically beating everything on Tyl's wall of fame aside from electrostats (atleast on the Open-backs list... until Dan makes an Electrostat.
13:18 "because I just 'felt' like it"
oooooh...
I just got that
Doughnut XIV i don't get it
Felt is like the type of material the filter is made out of.
Great review! Would you recommend these as an upgrade from Fidelio X2 as all-round for music and gaming(medium to big soundstage)? I like many different kinds of music but what I listen to more than rest is somewhat calm yet powerful electronic music. I like the combination of base and clarity. I got a Mayflower Electronics O2 rev.B ODAC/Amp. Or wound you recommend any other headphone for up to this pricerange? Thanks!
Nice review!
Please, do review Chord Mojo too, please !
can you do a comparison with the Focal Elear since they are a similar price?
Watching this review, listening through the Aeon Flow Open. Accurate.
in terms of instruments, i suppose the bass guitar sounds more full and the bass drum sounds more boomy?
Dark Drift0r Maybe slightly. Still be much more accurate than most headphone.
I have them as well. What are you driving yours with?
I purchased my pair directly from Dan Clark here in San Diego about two weeks prior to official release. After hearing them on Dan’s reference set up I had to have them on the spot.
Surprisingly even a simple set up of Roon>Tidal Masters> Apogee Groove can produce astounding clarity and a very musical accuracy.
Often you get one without the other.
I watched a film using them the other night and was completely immersed in details from every direction in the audio-scape.
The lightweight and comfort makes them all but disappear once you’re lost in the audio.
** Just to experiment I used the Audeze LCD MX4 DSP in the Roon app and “hearing is believing.”**
Pair either set of Aeon’s, open or closed, with a high current amplifier. The most impressive thing about them, like high end Audeze, is how incredibly much these planar magnetics’ sound quality scales with abundant current. Also, drive them fully balanced if you can.
Just wondering if you plan to review the Monoprice M1060 anytime ??
My review: they sounded like toys with a 5khz spike. They were defective. Returned mine for refund 4/24/19, just 1 day after they arrived. Don't buy Chinese headphones.
Hd660s? Wonder how it compares to the flow?
Darn, sad to hear about the 8-10 khz region. That was the issue I had with the closed version and filters did not help me
You could try eq'ing it, it could help.
hd660s then.
John Yang but hd660s probably have not enough sub bass
Dark Drift0r Wait for lcd 2classic then.
the 8-10khz region wouldn't be as noticeable on the open version due to the open headphones work but i listened to the aeon flow open and compared them to the hd650 and it was only slightly brighter in the 8-10khz range.
Which one do you prefer, Focal Elear or Aeon Flow Open? I have Focal Elear at the moment, great bass slam for an open back headphones, highs not fatiguing but the mids feel a bit wonky due to the dip high-mids, making the female vocals sound somewhat muted and artificial and the transition between bass-mids-highs not as smooth.
Gerald Ken I happen to own both. They compliment each other surprisingly well (after burn-in). AFO brings more treble emphasis and detail retrieval but rolls-off in sub-bass. Which I find is sort of the opposite with the Elear (save for detail retrieval which it can still do quite well). Both have a dip in the upper mids, but the AFO has more quantity than the Elear.
Amazing headphones 🎧
Which do you like better for long term listening, the Aeon Flow Closed or this new Open version?
Hey Tyll, you ever played Santa? You’d be awesome!
Exactly. Santa Clauz Tyll Christmas Aeon Flow Open Giveaway :- D
Better to give than to receive....haha.
Strangely, he did not eq these headphones during review (or at least did not mention it). That may be a good thing; he seems to have to eq most other reviewed headphones to 'fix' them.
I am using Bluetooth headphones for my flights and workouts most of the time, and I am thinking of transiting to a cabled set for home use. Would this Aeon Flow open be better or the Aeon Flow closed? From where I live, I can also get the Oppo PM-2 for only about USD460. Which would you choose? Thank you for your advice.
Hey would you take these or the LCD2C? or a pair of focal.
mikhailtessier1 im interested in this comparison as well.
See the people have spoken!!! WE DEMAND THE COMPARISON!!!! lol please and thank you :)
Aeon flow open is a much better sound in my opinion.
Are these better than iSine20? How do they sound in comparison to iSine20?
Just bought the iSine20 and I am curious to know about these. I can still return them and get something else, either headphones or in ear ... as long as it’s going to give me better sound, I’m all for it.
Seems like a pretty good all-rounder. The sliding of the adjustment bars seems like a bit of an annoyance though
Sam Campbell ... doesn't pose any problem since you can screw them tighter if you wish. Don't jump to unnecessary conclusions.
might have to get a pair to go along with my hd800s
please review beyerdynamic T5p 2nd gen Tyll! quite neutral and overall very good
Nice review! Sounds like a very nice pair of headphones.
TYLL- DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR A REVIEW ON THE VERY GOOD BEYERDYNAMIC DT1990 PRO’S?
WOULD MAKE FOR A GREAT VID/READING COMPARISON FOR THAT “TOUGH TO FIND” GREAT MID-FI PRICED, $600-800 BUDGET HEADPHONES. THANKS
off caps, make you just look stupid and nobody will read your useless coment
Yeah, you're always looking for validation for your beloved DT1990s. Well, you ain't getting it here, stupid.
I had the 1990 pro for three days and couldn't believe how bad it was making my piano libraries sound in the top end. I sent it back and replaced it with the HD 600. Miles better for producing the natural tones of my pianos. Of course I'm sacrificing on the bass, but that's a small price to pay compared to the 1990 pro making me hate the sound of my pianos.
Does anyone know any good pairings to drive these with? Suggestions or links?
Be smart save your money. Buy one flagship and save your money for the next few years as headphones can only sound just a tiny tiny bit better. Sound is hitting a platue weather you like to believe it or not. You can only tweak a planar or dynamic driver so much.
TheFijianGuy But you can easily buy a shitty tuned headphones or not suitable pair.
TheFijianGuy Or you can buy an Electrostat which pretty much have unlimited potential with better amplification.
Chosen Undead once you go that route there's no going back lol
TheFijianGuy 😁
Chosen Undead Or er4s there is no going back as well at least for me.
Aeon Flow or Focal Elear ?
Closed or open Aeon for vocals?
Chord Mojo pairing?
You dont say whether you prefer the OPEN or CLOSED Aeon ! We all need to know....
He implies in his written reviews that he prefers the open
would you rate a stax l300??
Can't wait for the Focal Clear review as well!
What did you think about the bass extension vs Ether Flow? When I compared them, the AEON seemed to run out of steam a bit abruptly towards the lower end, while the Ether seemed smoother, or simply had more steam left in the particular song. The Ether also seems to have a bit more bass in general, almost too much I find. Surprising for an open(ish) headphone.
Lumbergh42 Clear has less bass definition than utopia. But has the unnatural highs from utopia. I won't recommend them.
Even tho it may sound absurd. Get dt880 600ohm. They are really good. I find them more tastful and accurate than focal. Ether flow sounds really good tho and hifiman he1000 v2.
Can you compare them to the T1 (2nd gen) by any chance?
I'm intrigued by the Flow's speed and impact.
These or Audeze LCD2 classic?
Jason Jennings ... get both.😈
I heard him say they're good but are they worth eating Ramen for a month for.
Please compare with monolith 1060
That zing 8-10KHz is a 12 dB zing, hardly "barely".
its 5db below the bass line though. plus add in the dip in upper mids, where flat upper mids or boosted upper mids would normally makes trebles spikes more painful.
DUMMER cable, not DUM, right? As of today also available as XLR :)
Left grill looks damaged, like it's been pushed in! 😱
The Aeon Flow Open got to be the most disappointing pair of headphones I have tried in a long time. Detail/Resolution is not bad, but at its price range not great. Dynamics are mediocre at best. The have a long and relatively deep dip in the upper midrange lover treble and then spike back up at 9k, which makes cymbals and hi-hats rather overemphasized. If you want bass quality get Audeze LCD2C, and if you want a good allrouder/more neutral sounding headphone at the same price range as the Aeon Flow Open get the Elex in stead.
kristoffer How is their detail compared to the Elex?
Voce!
can u buy better sounding headphones for the cash
Yeah stax.
Mark hamill doin review 😅
THIRD!
Ex j
It seems that the Clear disappointed Tyll so bad that if he posts a review he’s gonna ruin his good relationship with the Focal folks so he decided not to.
ultrasone signature pro is the best closed back headphones under $1000 ever made...
The thus called TOTL headphones(i own practically all of them bar the electrostatics) are so overrated in my over 50 experience as an audiophile.
ALEXANDER GOMES this has to be a troll post
FrostyP please explain why!!#
if you think the ultrasone signature pro is the best closed back under $1000 you better get your over 50 ears checked
Ron Bernard advice me accordingly...
in the interim, please ensure YOU possess recommended headphone otherwise your input is invalid.
Every one who heard ultrasone headphones know they are shit.