great video comparison. i have the radiance and am thinking about buying the noire. i had been wondering if there was enough difference between them. thanks for all the great information. Update: broke down and bought the Noire open box! They are great and different enough to warrant both sets (as i tell myself)
Hey, I love your videos!! Nicely done and very good and professional review style! Please be patient, I am sure that your channel will grow quickly:) Maybe not very interesting for many head-fiers, but if I might recommend you to have a look at spirit torino (I own a radiante and twin pulse). They have a unique but for me very nice tuning. I would love to hear your opinion about them
I have the noire for home. And looking at radiance for the office as an all rounder and maybe switching pads if needed to listen to certain genres. My main reason for using the noire was for rap, pop, electronic, post punk, maybe even blues. I'll use my aeolus and LCDX-2021 for my rock, metal, country, Americana even jazz.
Great comparison! I love my Aeon 2 Noire and actually find I seen to reach for them more than my Arya (which are objectively superior, sonically). Comfort is my priority - headphones should disappear, not make you live in pain! - and I wouldn't like the clamping force or the heat on the Focal. One thing you didn't mention here is that you can adjust the Aeon clamp with the suspension band. Minor adjustment along the lower curve has huge effect on the clamping pressure. The thing I totally hate about them are the god-damned squishy pads that look like crap. They sound fine, and are super comfy, but the foam compresses and rolls and it looks gross. For $800 I feel like they could glue the foam to the pleather in some way.
Hello! Nice review! I am looking for a good set for mixing and mastering. I currently have the k371, DT770 , LCD-1. LCD-1 is good enough but doesn't have good bass extension. K371 has enough bass extension but I can not pick up details with it. Dt770 is good only for details... Punch and slam is not so important for what I do. The tonal balance is more important. So I was thinking for the aeon 2 noire. Or anything else maybe ? Thank you
I think you are along the right line here with the Noire. As long as a closed back is what you need. There are quite a few options for open backs too, but then you will lose out on isolation. For instance, I covered my impression of the MM-500 and they truly are a fantastic headphone for mixing/mastering but they are open back. Also almost 2X the price of the Noire.
@@ChrisKeyman I do think it's a bit better. The Noire is still good, but the MM-500 was engineered to be a Mix/Master Headphone. (it was used to master Kendrick's latest album for instance). Check out some reviews of it out there - I did one as well. That should help you form an opinion on it to know the pros/cons.
Do the Nories have issues with their pads? My Aeon 2 closed has channel imbalances that appear, possibly due to the pads becoming deformed over time from use, it is a apparently an issue across their line with these semi-portable style headphones.
Mine did not. I have not heard of that issue with the Noire but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. I would recommend asking that in a forum specific to the Noire to see if that is a concern.
For listening to electronic music where you want some strong deep and punchy bass response, would you say the Radiance are a solid recommendation? Asking because I’ve heard very different opinions shared ranging from a solid yes, to some saying they felt it didn’t have the best bass response. I also own a pair of Meze 109 Pros and wondering if you had any thoughts on how they compare overall and in bass response to them as well, if you’ve been able to experience those headphones. Thanks!
I own both of them and I definitely feel like the Radiance is very punchy and has great low end slam. I've also heard others say that of the Radiance about lack of bass and I don't get it. There could be some pad variation issues going on, but mine slam. They're closed back so it's a more intimate presentation then the 109 Pro. Another thing to be aware of. The 109 is not as punchy but it's a good contrast to the Radiance in my opinion.
How isolating are the Radiance? I just got a pair or Noires and I love how they sound but the isolation imo is pretty average, I don't know if its due to the perforated pads but they almost feel like they're entering into semi open territory. Guess its possible I'm listening to them more quietly than my other closed backs.
They aren't dead silent, but I feel they isolate well enough. Put this way, when I game with them on my own voice is very hard to hear..just muffled. I do think they are slightly better then the noires. Could have to do with the shape of the cups too.
I've been looking for a comparison between these two headphones for a while now. I think I might go for the Radiance, especially seeing how the Noire's are also kind of difficult to drive. This applies especially in the case of portable use, where I would rather not have to break the bank, just to be able to afford an expensive high end DAP that can drive the Aeon 2 Noire's properly. I don't think my Mojo 2 would suffice. Anyways, good to finally see a proper comparison video. Altough I would've loved to see how the noise leakage/isolation compared between these two pairs. Great work anyways on the video. 👍
If the noire is anything like my DCA expanse I didn’t do my research beforehand and have to buy a whole new amp to run them at any halfway decent volume.
I love these kinds of videos! I especially like this one as both of these headphones were on my short list. I actually bought the Aeon 2 Noire a couple of months ago when DCA had a 10th anniversary special where they offered a free upgrade to a Vivo cable with purchase of the Noire. I’m thoroughly enjoying them. Things you didn’t mention: The Noire is immensely more portable. The Noire is more difficult to properly drive. The Noire, while it sounds good out of the box, takes some burning in to reach its best. I may break down and get the Radiance at some point because I do like the dynamic punch that Focal’s provide (Elex owner), but I don’t feel that it’s a necessity at this point.
Thank you. I do go a bit more in depth on power with the Noire review I did. Portability comes down to more then just the folding up of the HP though to me. The Radiance is very easy to drive making that great for portability as well, but I do see your point. Burn in could be a thing or case for either HP to me.. especially brain burn in. Thank you for the comment!
I guess the Noire is much better in very busy tracks at keeping things more layered and separate. For progressive metal that would be a handy advantage where things happen fast together, so it might pick out different instruments without all the notes "merging" more - so to speak...
I've had the Noires for a bit, they're really good, but them needing an amp really limits their usability. The new Macbooks can't quite drive it fully and it shows.
I don't get the hype for the Norie. They sound dead to me, not so much dead neutral but all coloration and dynamics seem to have been sucked out of the presentation. I don't know if you can even call that neutral, perhaps a wonky neutral. This is especially bad for acoustic instruments, it affects the timbre of acoustic guitars and other instruments and ends up presenting the lower midrange and bass almost as if it was sampled and from artificial effects rather than an actual acoustic instrument. I am a musician with said instruments, so I am perhaps overly sensitive to that. I had the same problem with the original Aeon 2. With electronic music, both are simply ok, again, no idea what the hype is all about for jazz and related genres. I guess it is part of their house sound, and some people love it, but to me that house sound is a deal breaker for me.
Yes it all comes back to personal preference for sure. I've found myself reaching less for the Noires lately especially after I've had the chance to listen more gear. To me, they are genre specific and I don't think I enjoy the genre they are geared more for. My feelings on it anyway.
@@Skeeb23 Yea same for me. What I did not expect was that I would like the Celestee, due to all the negative reviews about its soundstage, but it proved to me that I care less about soundstage and more about tonality, and having a very organic sounding bass. Still learning in this hobby.☺
I listen to jazz and electronic music. The Aeon 2 giving feels very neutral, detailed, and 'mellow' (mellow compared to my Hifiman Arya). You're not the first person I've heard with this complaint but I hear all the same dynamics as my other top end headphones. The 92db/mw sensitivity really hits the perceived volume and I feel like this is really what people are hearing. IDK what you mean about 'hype' but I bought mine after trying them out and loving the comfort and flat, distortion free character. To me they sound more akin to a reference monitor.
@@semirrahge The hype was mostly for the Noire edition, not the Aeon 2s, though a lot of people have told me they are the same headphone but tuned differently with different pads. In my case I didn't use any of the foam inserts, did you? And yes, reference monitor is right, but reference monitor is not how instruments sound in person, which was my complaint. It isn't as obvious unless you have heard another closed back headphone with a different presentation, or listen to a lot of acoustic instruments in person.
great video comparison. i have the radiance and am thinking about buying the noire. i had been wondering if there was enough difference between them. thanks for all the great information.
Update: broke down and bought the Noire open box! They are great and different enough to warrant both sets (as i tell myself)
Became your 1000th subscriber after watching this video! 😊 nice one..
If I had a gift I'd send it, so some emojis will have to do. Thank you!! 🥳🤟🙌🙏
Hehe, thanks.. 😊 videos like this one would do.. 😊
Hey, I love your videos!! Nicely done and very good and professional review style! Please be patient, I am sure that your channel will grow quickly:) Maybe not very interesting for many head-fiers, but if I might recommend you to have a look at spirit torino (I own a radiante and twin pulse). They have a unique but for me very nice tuning. I would love to hear your opinion about them
That intro music very nice bass thump
Thank you very much, I was hesitating between these two and I just bought the Radiance for 699€ :D
Nice! You'll have to let me know what you think after some time with them. Glad to help!
Man, wtf, where do you this kind of pricing?
I have the noire for home. And looking at radiance for the office as an all rounder and maybe switching pads if needed to listen to certain genres.
My main reason for using the noire was for rap, pop, electronic, post punk, maybe even blues.
I'll use my aeolus and LCDX-2021 for my rock, metal, country, Americana even jazz.
Options are always nice!
Great video man, beek looking st the radiance thanks
Great comparison! I love my Aeon 2 Noire and actually find I seen to reach for them more than my Arya (which are objectively superior, sonically). Comfort is my priority - headphones should disappear, not make you live in pain! - and I wouldn't like the clamping force or the heat on the Focal.
One thing you didn't mention here is that you can adjust the Aeon clamp with the suspension band. Minor adjustment along the lower curve has huge effect on the clamping pressure.
The thing I totally hate about them are the god-damned squishy pads that look like crap. They sound fine, and are super comfy, but the foam compresses and rolls and it looks gross. For $800 I feel like they could glue the foam to the pleather in some way.
which would you say is more suitable for studio reference use with mixing / mastering music?
Hi,
Very good review and great comparison.
What is the cable you got on the radiance?
That's a custom Hart Audio cable. Great cables for reasonable price!
@@Skeeb23 Thanks
Hello!
Nice review!
I am looking for a good set for mixing and mastering.
I currently have the k371, DT770 , LCD-1.
LCD-1 is good enough but doesn't have good bass extension.
K371 has enough bass extension but I can not pick up details with it.
Dt770 is good only for details...
Punch and slam is not so important for what I do. The tonal balance is more important.
So I was thinking for the aeon 2 noire. Or anything else maybe ?
Thank you
I think you are along the right line here with the Noire. As long as a closed back is what you need. There are quite a few options for open backs too, but then you will lose out on isolation. For instance, I covered my impression of the MM-500 and they truly are a fantastic headphone for mixing/mastering but they are open back. Also almost 2X the price of the Noire.
@@Skeeb23 does the mm500 have better tonal balance than the noire ?
What about the sub bass extension?
Thank you
@@ChrisKeyman I do think it's a bit better. The Noire is still good, but the MM-500 was engineered to be a Mix/Master Headphone. (it was used to master Kendrick's latest album for instance). Check out some reviews of it out there - I did one as well. That should help you form an opinion on it to know the pros/cons.
Do the Nories have issues with their pads? My Aeon 2 closed has channel imbalances that appear, possibly due to the pads becoming deformed over time from use, it is a apparently an issue across their line with these semi-portable style headphones.
Mine did not. I have not heard of that issue with the Noire but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. I would recommend asking that in a forum specific to the Noire to see if that is a concern.
@@Skeeb23 Yea, it has been annoying enough I might return these Aeon 2s or take the loss selling them, and get something else for closedback.
That's too bad but I understand the uneasiness of it all. I really enjoy the Noires.
For listening to electronic music where you want some strong deep and punchy bass response, would you say the Radiance are a solid recommendation? Asking because I’ve heard very different opinions shared ranging from a solid yes, to some saying they felt it didn’t have the best bass response.
I also own a pair of Meze 109 Pros and wondering if you had any thoughts on how they compare overall and in bass response to them as well, if you’ve been able to experience those headphones. Thanks!
I own both of them and I definitely feel like the Radiance is very punchy and has great low end slam. I've also heard others say that of the Radiance about lack of bass and I don't get it. There could be some pad variation issues going on, but mine slam. They're closed back so it's a more intimate presentation then the 109 Pro. Another thing to be aware of. The 109 is not as punchy but it's a good contrast to the Radiance in my opinion.
How isolating are the Radiance? I just got a pair or Noires and I love how they sound but the isolation imo is pretty average, I don't know if its due to the perforated pads but they almost feel like they're entering into semi open territory. Guess its possible I'm listening to them more quietly than my other closed backs.
They aren't dead silent, but I feel they isolate well enough. Put this way, when I game with them on my own voice is very hard to hear..just muffled. I do think they are slightly better then the noires. Could have to do with the shape of the cups too.
@@Skeeb23 ok, I might have to try the radiance as well lol, thanks :)
I've been looking for a comparison between these two headphones for a while now. I think I might go for the Radiance, especially seeing how the Noire's are also kind of difficult to drive. This applies especially in the case of portable use, where I would rather not have to break the bank, just to be able to afford an expensive high end DAP that can drive the Aeon 2 Noire's properly. I don't think my Mojo 2 would suffice. Anyways, good to finally see a proper comparison video. Altough I would've loved to see how the noise leakage/isolation compared between these two pairs. Great work anyways on the video. 👍
If the noire is anything like my DCA expanse I didn’t do my research beforehand and have to buy a whole new amp to run them at any halfway decent volume.
I love these kinds of videos! I especially like this one as both of these headphones were on my short list. I actually bought the Aeon 2 Noire a couple of months ago when DCA had a 10th anniversary special where they offered a free upgrade to a Vivo cable with purchase of the Noire. I’m thoroughly enjoying them.
Things you didn’t mention:
The Noire is immensely more portable.
The Noire is more difficult to properly drive.
The Noire, while it sounds good out of the box, takes some burning in to reach its best.
I may break down and get the Radiance at some point because I do like the dynamic punch that Focal’s provide (Elex owner), but I don’t feel that it’s a necessity at this point.
Thank you. I do go a bit more in depth on power with the Noire review I did. Portability comes down to more then just the folding up of the HP though to me. The Radiance is very easy to drive making that great for portability as well, but I do see your point. Burn in could be a thing or case for either HP to me.. especially brain burn in.
Thank you for the comment!
Denon d7200 vs this which is better in sound?
Unfortunately I have not heard the d7200 as of yet to be able to answer. I'm sure somewhere out in reddit/headfi someone could have that answer.
I guess the Noire is much better in very busy tracks at keeping things more layered and separate. For progressive metal that would be a handy advantage where things happen fast together, so it might pick out different instruments without all the notes "merging" more - so to speak...
True...however for metal I enjoy feeling the drums and guitar riffs and you just don't really on the Noire. That's it's biggest drawback IMHO.
I've had the Noires for a bit, they're really good, but them needing an amp really limits their usability. The new Macbooks can't quite drive it fully and it shows.
Aeon2 Noire is not a stage king? It has one of the biggest soundstage amongst closed backs they say.
It's got a better stage than the Radiance for sure. To call it a stage king...not sure I've heard it being called that, nor would I fwiw.
@@Skeeb23
Can the Aeon 2 Noire's sound stage match that of the Beyer Dynamic DT770 and DT1770's?
I don't get the hype for the Norie. They sound dead to me, not so much dead neutral but all coloration and dynamics seem to have been sucked out of the presentation. I don't know if you can even call that neutral, perhaps a wonky neutral. This is especially bad for acoustic instruments, it affects the timbre of acoustic guitars and other instruments and ends up presenting the lower midrange and bass almost as if it was sampled and from artificial effects rather than an actual acoustic instrument. I am a musician with said instruments, so I am perhaps overly sensitive to that. I had the same problem with the original Aeon 2. With electronic music, both are simply ok, again, no idea what the hype is all about for jazz and related genres. I guess it is part of their house sound, and some people love it, but to me that house sound is a deal breaker for me.
Yes it all comes back to personal preference for sure. I've found myself reaching less for the Noires lately especially after I've had the chance to listen more gear. To me, they are genre specific and I don't think I enjoy the genre they are geared more for. My feelings on it anyway.
@@Skeeb23 Yea same for me. What I did not expect was that I would like the Celestee, due to all the negative reviews about its soundstage, but it proved to me that I care less about soundstage and more about tonality, and having a very organic sounding bass. Still learning in this hobby.☺
I listen to jazz and electronic music. The Aeon 2 giving feels very neutral, detailed, and 'mellow' (mellow compared to my Hifiman Arya). You're not the first person I've heard with this complaint but I hear all the same dynamics as my other top end headphones. The 92db/mw sensitivity really hits the perceived volume and I feel like this is really what people are hearing.
IDK what you mean about 'hype' but I bought mine after trying them out and loving the comfort and flat, distortion free character. To me they sound more akin to a reference monitor.
@@semirrahge The hype was mostly for the Noire edition, not the Aeon 2s, though a lot of people have told me they are the same headphone but tuned differently with different pads. In my case I didn't use any of the foam inserts, did you? And yes, reference monitor is right, but reference monitor is not how instruments sound in person, which was my complaint. It isn't as obvious unless you have heard another closed back headphone with a different presentation, or listen to a lot of acoustic instruments in person.
hd800 all over that hp!!
Noire has no dynamics ....dead sound.
It is lacking in dynamics, no denying that.