MrSpeakers AEON Flow Open - Impressions Thread

[Schwibbles]

The actual cable is the same, we adjusted the fabric sheath several months ago, it's a little looser to make the cable a little more supple.

I knew I wasn't going crazy... I thought it felt a little looser. I do like this new fabric sheath on it though; it's a big improvement.

 

[mrspeakers]

One reminder, as with AEON closed, burn-in is a real thing and does take about 100 hours.

 

[mrspeakers]

I knew I wasn't going crazy... I thought it felt a little looser. I do like this new fabric sheath on it though; it's a big improvement.

It's actually the same fabric, it's just less taught over the wire. It's actually pretty amazing to me that a little tension on a woven fabric can make such a difference.

 

[Schwibbles]

One reminder, as with AEON closed, burn-in is a real thing and does take about 100 hours.

I didn't really believe in burn in before the AFC. The change in the closed model was pretty dramatic between 0-20 hours, 20-80 hours, and then after 80. After about 80 hours, it calmed down quite a bit and I didn't notice much of a change. I will keep that in mind as I write my first impressions about the AFO.

It's actually the same fabric, it's just less taught over the wire. It's actually pretty amazing to me that a little tension on a woven fabric can make such a difference.

That is very surprising. I guess I was imagining it being a little softer; could've had something to do with it being looser. Still an improvement. I like that attention to detail. Many companies seem to overlook their cables. Glad you're not one of them.

 

[Schwibbles]

oh boy oh boy oh boy!

Mine just arrived at my work! Unfortunately, I won't be able to do any listening until I get home since my cubicle doesn't really block any sound...
In my opinion, they look awesome. Just so happens the AFC is my daily that I bring to work so here's some preliminary thoughts, comparisons, and pictures:

First off, the entire photo album.

AFO and the AFC next to each other. I really love the "ÆON" logo on the cups:

There are a couple differences I noticed pretty quickly:

1. The AFO come with 3 different pairs of tuning inserts, whereas the AFC only had one. It says the pair with one notch is pre-installed but mine were not. I wonder if that was either supposed to be deleted or the filters were actually supposed to be pre-installed. Regardless, it doesn't really matter:

2. I can't tell if the cable is different or not. I have an Impact Audio Cables cable I use with my closed model so I can't compare both stock cables here at work. My impression is that the cloth sheathing is softer than on the once I got with the AFC. The cable also seems to retain bends more but feels less likely to want to return to its coiled shaped. Overall, it seems more supple. I could be wrong since they look the same, but that's just what it seems like based off my memory of the AFC's stock cable. The connectors are the same:

3. The mesh inside the earcups is thinner on the AFO vs the AFC. On the AFO, the driver is visible through the mesh. Not that this really changes anything from a visual or design standpoint, but I do think seeing the driver is pretty cool:

That's all I have for now. Sound impressions will come soon!

I should add that they seem isolate more than most other open-back headphones I've heard. It noticeably quiets outside noise and muffles voices. It actually kind of surprised me when I first put them on. That being said, they're still open back and they still let everything leak in.

 

[jinxy245]

Damn I wish I had 10 bucks for every time I heard that

If you did, you could afford to open a shop in North cali...

 

[TSAVAlan]

If you did, you could afford to open a shop in North cali...

Lol, we probably could!

 

[jinxy245]

The hex pattern is pretty cool, this isn't just stock stamped material, if you look the pattern actually is asymmetric, a regular hex didn't look so nice so we put some time into making some subtle geometry to make it feel more integrated...

Regarding sub-bass, I personally enjoy EDM a lot, and I love the lowest octave. The open does a good job in this area, only once and a while do I reach for the closed if I don't need isolation. We did our best to make the bass present, rich and textured but honest sounding. There's a bit less down there but it doesn't fall off a cliff, and due to the richer overtones there's a more solid bass presence for most music.

This is exactly what I was hoping to hear... I'll have to demo these...SOON!

Thanks Dan

 

[TSAVAlan]

One reminder, as with AEON closed, burn-in is a real thing and does take about 100 hours.

Hit over 100 hours of burn in on our pair just around yesterday, going to give them a nice listen

 

[lugnut]

2. I can't tell if the cable is different or not. I have an Impact Audio Cables cable I use with my closed model so I can't compare both stock cables here at work. My impression is that the cloth sheathing is softer than on the once I got with the AFC. The cable also seems to retain bends more but feels less likely to want to return to its coiled shaped. Overall, it seems more supple. I could be wrong since they look the same, but that's just what it seems like based off my memory of the AFC's stock cable. The connectors are the same:

Is that the stock cable that ships with them ?

 

[Josh Englert]

The comment in the email from Dan is well put. There is more warmth and a smoother transient response between frequencies, bass to mids and mids to treble. The AFO is my favorite MrSpeakers offering to date.

Now I have to pick this up ASAP....Got to say I do love my AEON Flow Closed, I've got a feeling I'll love this one more!

 

[Schwibbles]

Is that the stock cable that ships with them ?

Yes, that is the cable that came with them. The 1/4" adapter screws on/off.

 

[Schwibbles]

DISCLAIMER - For the following first impressions the tuning filters were left out. I used Tidal Hifi (laptop) as the source and the iFi micro iDSD BL as the DAC and amp. This is what I've gathered with about a half hour of listening. Keep in mind that these need significant burn in to reach their final sound and potential - these are just preliminary impressions right out of the box. I also have a cold right now so my hearing may be a little off because of that.

Bass - Sub bass extends deep. However, the quantity is a couple dB less than AFC. I would guess that it is a dB or so below neutral but still very good for an open headphone. The upper bass is probably about 2-3 dB warmer than the AFC.

Midrange - The lower mids, like the upper bass, are a few dB stronger than the AFC. The bass-midrange transition sounds a little more coherent (smoother) and really gives the AFO a fuller, warmer sound. That being said, I would not consider these to be warm headphones (like I would the HD650). Rather, these are just on the warmer side of neutral whereas the AFC were on the cooler/analytical side of neutral. I really like this change! The upper midrange and vocals sound very similar to the AFC.

Treble - Similar in quantity to the AFC but does sound a little different... Sounds airier and a little more detailed. No sibilance to speak of. This is something that changed a lot with burn in on the AFC so I'm going to hold off on saying much more now.

Soundstage - Definitely wider than the AFC but definitely not the widest. Wider than the HD600/650 but not as wide as the M1060 or HD700.

Conclusion - If you liked the Aeon closed and wanted a bit more warmth to the sound, then they may hit the spot for you. They are still very neutral but with a bit of warmth in the bass and midrange with some added sparkle in the treble. IMHO, they sound very good; another excellent headphone @mrspeakers!
I'm having a hard time picking out anything I dislike about them. I suppose if I HAD to find something I don't like... Normally I can eat snacks with open headphones on and not hear any microphonics; with these I can; almost like they're closed back. I think it's because the pleather pads make such a good seal.

 

[sunneebear]

DISCLAIMER - For the following first impressions the tuning filters were left out. I used Tidal Hifi (laptop) as the source and the iFi micro iDSD BL as the DAC and amp. This is what I've gathered with about a half hour of listening. Keep in mind that these need significant burn in to reach their final sound and potential - these are just preliminary impressions right out of the box. I also have a cold right now so my hearing may be a little off because of that.

Bass - Sub bass extends deep. However, the quantity is a couple dB less than AFC. I would guess that it is a dB or so below neutral but still very good for an open headphone. The upper bass is probably about 2-3 dB warmer than the AFC.

Midrange - The lower mids, like the upper bass, are a few dB stronger than the AFC. The bass-midrange transition sounds a little more coherent (smoother) and really gives the AFO a fuller, warmer sound. That being said, I would not consider these to be warm headphones (like I would the HD650). Rather, these are just on the warmer side of neutral whereas the AFC were on the cooler/analytical side of neutral. I really like this change! The upper midrange and vocals sound very similar to the AFC.

Treble - Similar in quantity to the AFC but does sound a little different... Sounds airier and a little more detailed. No sibilance to speak of. This is something that changed a lot with burn in on the AFC so I'm going to hold off on saying much more now.

Soundstage - Definitely wider than the AFC but definitely not the widest. Wider than the HD600/650 but not as wide as the M1060 or HD700.

Conclusion - If you liked the Aeon closed and wanted a bit more warmth to the sound, then they may hit the spot for you. They are still very neutral but with a bit of warmth in the bass and midrange with some added sparkle in the treble. IMHO, they sound very good; another excellent headphone @mrspeakers!
I'm having a hard time picking out anything I dislike about them. I suppose if I HAD to find something I don't like... Normally I can eat snacks with open headphones on and not hear any microphonics; with these I can; almost like they're closed back. I think it's because the pleather pads make such a good seal.

Snacking on a $800 headphone. Are you 12?

 

[Schwibbles]

Snacking on a $800 headphone. Are you 12?

I can eat a snack or something without getting anything on my headphones. Headphones go on my ears; not my mouth. Do it all the time with the HD800S. Only do it if I'm watching a video or a show; never while I'm listening to music.

P.S. - I'm actually 24.