Short answer: the FiiO FT5. It ranks #281 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $499.99; the Dan Clark Audio Aeon RT Closed ranks #291, rated 3.3/5, at $499.99. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
The case for the FiiO FT5: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. The catch: Presence sits about 3.7 dB low with a 9.4 dB dip near 10.3 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
What the Dan Clark Audio Aeon RT Closed does well: A light 0.7 lbs (328 g) closed-back planar with a neutral bass level (within 0.1 dB of target) and a Harman score of 66, sold by Dan Clark Audio for much less than its flagships. The catch: Treble sits about 2.9 dB below target, so it can sound a little dull next to brighter headphones, and it measures behind the older Dan Clark Audio Aeon Flow Closed (79).
Buy the FiiO FT5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dan Clark Audio Aeon RT Closed at the same price, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural.
Amazon $499.99 eBay
A light 328 g closed-back planar with a neutral bass level (within 0.1 dB of target) and a Harman score of 66, sold by Dan Clark Audio for much less than its flagships.
Dan Clark Audio $499.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| FiiO FT5 | Dan Clark Audio Aeon RT Closed | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $499.99 |
| Ranked | #281 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #291 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic | - |
| Impedance | 36 ohms | 13 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB/mW | About 90 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 40kHz | - |
| Weight | 1 lbs (456 g) | 0.7 lbs (328 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 67 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 66 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.77 dB standard deviation | 2.54 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.73 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
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