[BobMonkhouse]

Reading all these arguments about power requirements, I don't know if it's going to be helpful but want to share my take.

I liked my AFO1 sound signature right from the beginning but EQed them to sound right for me. I'd read about being power hungry but ignored the information.

The eye opener was when I used the high gain on my Atom. The same happened with the ODAC/O2 and Topping DX3 Pro. The bass tightened up and added clarity to the overall presentation.

But I wouldn't hear the real potential of the headphones until eventually I listened to them with Gilmore Lite Mk2 and Ember. The current and voltage headroom made the difference. AFO1 opened up even more and there was much more room for the instruments and vocals to breath.

I don't know about my GL Mk2 but we can see the power specs of the Ember:
http://www.garage1217.com/POWERSPECS/Ember.png

 

[bcowen]

Sure...

You already have the answers to these questions. I drive my Aeon Open with my daps and have no complaints. Take your friends A2C down to your local store and try it with all the different daps/dacs etc. you can find. Then you will find out if said devices have enough power for you.

But i have a feeling that's its not what it's all about...

Your feeling is shared by at least one other person here....

 

[roskodan]

More than one other... me too, but it's not a secret, some just can't accept that it's a desktop headphone 1st, and mobile 2nd (read maybe). MrSpeakers' headphones were always power hungry if one wanted them to sound dynamic and 'large'.

Recently had a listen to the Alpha with the Schiit Asgard 3, and the difference between low and high gain was night and day. On low gain they sounded mid centric, compressed, dull. On high gain they sounded like if the signature changed from A shaped to almost V shaped.

 

[flarex3]

More than one other... me too, but it's not a secret, some just can't accept that it's a desktop headphone 1st, and mobile 2nd (read maybe). MrSpeakers' headphones were always power hungry if one wanted them to sound dynamic and 'large'.

The Aeon 2 Closed is designed to be portable. The main title of the headphone website page is Big Full-size Sound, Small Size for Portability. Foldable design, lightweight and the case are very nice portable innovations as well.

There already are many full sized better headphones for destkop listening. For me, the fantasy of this headphone is being able to enjoy high quality sound on the go but the power requirements are
contradictory with the main design goal of the headphone. That's what I think.

Ironically, the closed Aeon's sensitivity is 92 db/mW while the open Aeon's sensitivity is 94 db/mW. The other way around would make much more sense and the difference is actually large due to the logarithmic nature of decibel.

 

[roskodan]

Well portable means easy to carry, not easy to drive. But yeah, it can be misleading to see mobility features on a not so 'mobile power' friendly headphone. Doesn't mean most wouldn't be happy with it as a mobile headphone too, and kill two birds with one shot.

BTW, did anyone try the Aeon2 (or Aeon1) with SET tube amps the like of Woo Audio WA6-SE? The Alpha were really trippy with the Woo Audio WA6-SE (with upgraded tubes).

 

[bcowen]

BTW, did anyone try the Aeon2 (or Aeon1) with SET tube amps the like of Woo Audio WA6-SE? The Alpha were really trippy with the Woo Audio WA6-SE (with upgraded tubes).

I haven't, but as an authenticated and certified SET addict I'd sure love to. Wish Schiit would come out with something with their usual sane and affordable pricing.
Been lusting over one of these, but even used they are mucho dinero. IMO, if you're gonna do SET, do it right with a manly man's triode like a 300B. I'd even settle for a 2A3 if I had to.

 

[TSAVJason]

I haven't, but as an authenticated and certified SET addict I'd sure love to. Wish Schiit would come out with something with their usual sane and affordable pricing.
Been lusting over one of these, but even used they are mucho dinero. IMO, if you're gonna do SET, do it right with a manly man's triode like a 300B. I'd even settle for a 2A3 if I had to.

I could tell you stories about the company that makes that amp that would curl your hair. And I’ve got documentation to prove what I can say.

 

[EricDH]

Sure...

You already have the answers to these questions. I drive my Aeon Open with my daps and have no complaints. Take your friends A2C down to your local store and try it with all the different daps/dacs etc. you can find. Then you will find out if said devices have enough power for you.

But i have a feeling that's its not what it's all about...

I have the same feeling. Smells like trolling (or sound "science", don't know which is worse).

 

[flarex3]

Actually I am tempted to buy a pair. Many properties of this headphone is promising and interesting (portable full sized planar!) , my only worry is the power issue and I hope the recent DAP releases can drive this.

I absolutely hated the AFC (you can read my review) but I guess I should give a try to the AC2. I'll buy a one from a retailer to keep it or return it.

Some people reported "A2C is more forgiving for poor recordings". Actually that would be HUGE because poorly recorded metal/ rock sound insanely bad on high-end analytical headphones like HD800s.

 

[BobMonkhouse]

I tried my AFO1 today with my portable gear and compared them to my HD 6XX. The Senns needed a few db extra to match the AFO1 volume level. The only device that maxed out the volume pot was my LG G8 which still sounded very good but a bit quiet, not loud enough for some energetic music. All of the rest had plenty of juice to spare driving them and didn't feel any lack of SQ due to power limitations: Apogee Groove, Centrance Dacport Slim, Hadizs A80, Fiio E12A. Actually, only the Dacport Slim needed to be on high gain.

 

[ReXTless]

Anyone else have opinions on how well Chord Mojo drives the new Aeon 2?

 

[TSAVJason]

Anyone else have opinions on how well the new Aeon 2 drives the Chord Mojo?

I’m only acquainted with the closed and Mojo but it’s a good match. It’s a warm and effortless pairing

 

[elira]

Couldn’t resist the hype and ordered the A2C. I like the idea of putting the magnets behind, and it’s super cool the way they contract. Based on Dan’s power estimations it should work fine with my Q5s for portable use.

 

[Soundizer]

I already told you clearly the min power. P=v*i and V=I*R so I suggest you run numbers yourself if you are curious and make your own estimates.

Vendors seldom publish data about their current limits, and you just expect me to give an”perfect” answer? Lol.

You are over complicating this and there is no “perfect” solution anyhow.

Will my Audioquest Cobalt sufficiently drive the Aeon 2’s?

 

[TSAVJason]

Will my Audioquest Cobalt sufficiently drive the Aeon 2’s?

Odd that you ask! I just tried that combo not more than 10 minutes ago. Yes! It will. It won’t get you to really loud levels but it does reveal the dynamics and SQ nicely