Hello all!
I recently bought a pair of Aeon 2 Closed in anticipation of returning to an office full time.
I am looking for an open back complement for the A2C. I've had the opportunity to try Ether 2, HD-800s, Focal Clear MG, and a bunch of other headphones at a local shop.
Unfortunately it was not the best environment as there was music playing from speakers so it was difficult to get a full sense of each set. However, I really liked the soundstage and comfort of the HD-800s. I tried a bunch of genres and it didn't seem particularly lacking in ways that I have seen it described.
I enjoyed the Ether 2 as well but it honestly didn't seem to distinguish itself from the A2C enough to justify the cost.
The Clear MG was my least favorite of the bunch as I was fiddling with the fit way more than any of the other cans. So Focals might be a no-go for me across the board since they are all essentially the same build. I also didn't really see what people are talking about when they say Focals have "incredible slam and dynamics."
Anyway, I am not sure exactly what I want to complement the A2C. To me, the A2C is a pretty good all-rounder. It is decently wide for a closed back, has great timbre, pretty good separation, and is definitely the most resolving of anything I have owned. It is great on jazz, rock, electronic, new age, and traditional metal. However, it seems to lack the intensity I am looking for with certain genres like progressive metal where things get pretty dense. (I am willing to admit that it might just be that the progressive metal artists that I enjoy just have compressed recordings. /shrug)
I also have a pair of 6XXs and they are great, however they are just way too narrow and intimate and don't seem to be different enough from the A2Cs for me to put them on over the A2Cs. Except if it super warm, then the open back wins as I am able to stay a bit cooler.
A bit long winded but I wanted to give you all my perception of what I am currently using.
Currently I am considering HD-800s and ZMF Aeolus / Auteur.
Let me know if you have any other suggestions and thoughts. Thanks!
I recently bought a pair of Aeon 2 Closed in anticipation of returning to an office full time.
I am looking for an open back complement for the A2C. I've had the opportunity to try Ether 2, HD-800s, Focal Clear MG, and a bunch of other headphones at a local shop.
Unfortunately it was not the best environment as there was music playing from speakers so it was difficult to get a full sense of each set. However, I really liked the soundstage and comfort of the HD-800s. I tried a bunch of genres and it didn't seem particularly lacking in ways that I have seen it described.
I enjoyed the Ether 2 as well but it honestly didn't seem to distinguish itself from the A2C enough to justify the cost.
The Clear MG was my least favorite of the bunch as I was fiddling with the fit way more than any of the other cans. So Focals might be a no-go for me across the board since they are all essentially the same build. I also didn't really see what people are talking about when they say Focals have "incredible slam and dynamics."
Anyway, I am not sure exactly what I want to complement the A2C. To me, the A2C is a pretty good all-rounder. It is decently wide for a closed back, has great timbre, pretty good separation, and is definitely the most resolving of anything I have owned. It is great on jazz, rock, electronic, new age, and traditional metal. However, it seems to lack the intensity I am looking for with certain genres like progressive metal where things get pretty dense. (I am willing to admit that it might just be that the progressive metal artists that I enjoy just have compressed recordings. /shrug)
I also have a pair of 6XXs and they are great, however they are just way too narrow and intimate and don't seem to be different enough from the A2Cs for me to put them on over the A2Cs. Except if it super warm, then the open back wins as I am able to stay a bit cooler.
A bit long winded but I wanted to give you all my perception of what I am currently using.
Currently I am considering HD-800s and ZMF Aeolus / Auteur.
Let me know if you have any other suggestions and thoughts. Thanks!
