Short answer: the Meze Strada. It ranks #271 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $799; the Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire ranks #282, rated 3.3/5, and costs $899, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Meze Strada does well: Bass and sub-bass sit within about 1 dB of target, giving an accurate, well-extended low end, and the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz stays within about 1.5 dB, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Watch for: A 9.9 dB dip near 6.8 kHz and a 6 to 10 kHz region about 6.8 dB below target soften cymbal attack and blunt treble detail, while the air band above 10 kHz runs about 3.4 dB high, an uneven combination.
Why pick the Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire: Bass is well controlled, with sub-bass within 0.3 dB of target and a gentle 1.9 dB lift from 60 to 200 Hz that adds warmth. Watch for: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz sits about 3.8 dB under target, and a 10.5 dB dip near 9.9 kHz dulls cymbals and sibilance.
Buy the Meze Strada. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Bass and sub-bass sit within about 1 dB of target, giving an accurate, well-extended low end, and the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz stays within about 1.5 dB, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Amazon $799.00 eBay
Bass is well controlled, with sub-bass within 0.3 dB of target and a gentle 1.9 dB lift from 60 to 200 Hz that adds warmth.
Amazon $899.00 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
| Meze Strada | Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.00 | $899.00 |
| Ranked | #271 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #282 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 67 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.49 dB standard deviation | 2.49 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.88 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 40 ohms | 13 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB SPL/mW | 92 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (330 g) | - |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
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