Short answer: the Dan Clark Audio E3. It ranks #1 of 429 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.9/5, at $2,299. The Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Closed ranks #316, rated 2.9/5, at $899, $1,400 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Closed does well: Bass sits close to target and holds down to 20 Hz, so low end sounds full without bloat. The catch: Presence sits about 5 dB low with a 9.6 dB dip near 3.8 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
The Dan Clark Audio E3 is the better-sounding choice. In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 101, with response held within about 1 dB of the Harman target from sub-bass through the upper mids. The catch: The upper treble is uneven, with a 5.6 dB dip near 9.9 kHz followed by a 5 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, which can make cymbals and sibilance sound slightly uneven.
Buy the Dan Clark Audio E3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1,400 with the Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Closed does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Closed | Dan Clark Audio E3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899.00 | $2,299.00 |
| Ranked | #316 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones | #1 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 62 x 34mm planar magnetic | - |
| Impedance | 13 ohms | 27 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 90 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (345 g) | 1 lbs (455 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 58 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 101 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.82 dB standard deviation | 1.05 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.32 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.04 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 13, 2026 at 3:17 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Closed: $899.00 Amazon $899.00 eBay
Pros: Bass sits close to target and holds down to 20 Hz, so low end sounds full without bloat. Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural.
Cons: Presence sits about 5 dB low with a 9.6 dB dip near 3.8 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite. A Harman score of 58 places it in the lower part of the over-ear rankings.
Full Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Closed review and specifications →
| Released | 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.82 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 62 x 34mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 58 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 13 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.32 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (345 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.1 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,391 Hz | +6.1 dB | 1.96 |
| Peak | 110 Hz | -3.6 dB | 1.80 |
| Peak | 379 Hz | -2.0 dB | 0.44 |
| Peak | 8,927 Hz | +2.8 dB | 2.45 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,811 Hz | -2.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 2,113 Hz | +1.0 dB | 2.03 |
| Peak | 1,163 Hz | -1.2 dB | 4.16 |
| Peak | 299 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.27 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Dan Clark Audio E3: $2,299.00 Amazon $2,299.00 eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 101, with response held within about 1 dB of the Harman target from sub-bass through the upper mids. Bass from 20 to 200 Hz sits less than 1 dB above target, so kick drums and bass guitar have full weight without bloom. A 27 ohm impedance and 90 dB/mW sensitivity are easy enough for a decent headphone amp, and the closed back keeps sound in and outside noise down.
Cons: The upper treble is uneven, with a 5.6 dB dip near 9.9 kHz followed by a 5 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, which can make cymbals and sibilance sound slightly uneven. At 455 g it is heavy for long sessions, and planar drivers at this sensitivity perform best from a proper amp rather than a phone. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Dan Clark Audio E3 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.05 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 101 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 27 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.04 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (455 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -1.0 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,224 Hz | +1.1 dB | 0.87 |
| Peak | 2,683 Hz | -2.0 dB | 3.34 |
| Peak | 471 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.01 |
| Peak | 91 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.36 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 167 Hz | +0.8 dB | 2.72 |
| Peak | 3,979 Hz | -0.6 dB | 4.28 |
| Peak | 5,845 Hz | -1.1 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 112 Hz | -0.3 dB | 2.53 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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