[MRHiFiReviews]

Hi guys. I’m considering getting the Aeolus but looking for some advice. Like many others, I started this hobby with the Hd650 almost 15 years ago. My next big upgrade was the Massdrop THX-00 when it launched. More recently having come into some money I splurged on the HD800S and a used Focal Elear.

The Elear and HD800S are my two most used headphones now. I can’t go back to the HD650 anymore, it sounds congested. However both are a bit fatiguing and I’m wondering if the Aeolus is a good replacement for when I want that dark and lush sound. It’s not cheap though and I was wondering if it was sufficiently different from the THX-00 and the Focal to justify the cost?

I don’t listen with EQ if that’s any help.

My review might help a little....


I would also add that the Aeolus only sounds better IMO with a good OTL amp as well which I didn't have at the time of this review.

 

[redryder]

Thanks for the review MR. I'm using the micro iDSD BL as a dac/amp at the moment rather than a desktop based setup. Together with my DAP I listen at different places in the home, in my bedroom, etc.

 

[Gabola]

Thanks for the review MR. I'm using the micro iDSD BL as a dac/amp at the moment rather than a desktop based setup. Together with my DAP I listen at different places in the home, in my bedroom, etc.

FYI I'm currently using the micro iDSD Signature which is similar to the BL, and it is wonderful with the Aeolus. More than enough to drive them... I actually have my HD650 plugged into the 6.3 and and Aeolus in the 4.4 of the iDSD. I will swap around once in a while to compare the two. Always end up back with the Aeolus with a grin on my face .

 

[Cyberthingy]

My review might help a little....


I would also add that the Aeolus only sounds better IMO with a good OTL amp as well which I didn't have at the time of this review.

I agree 100%. Once you pair the Aeolus with a nice tube amp you are in heaven. I have a Darkvoice 336SE and a Monolith Tube Amp and they both make the Aeolus sound sublime.

 

[Pharmaboy]

Hi guys. I’m considering getting the Aeolus but looking for some advice. Like many others, I started this hobby with the Hd650 almost 15 years ago. My next big upgrade was the Massdrop THX-00 when it launched. More recently having come into some money I splurged on the HD800S and a used Focal Elear.

The Elear and HD800S are my two most used headphones now. I can’t go back to the HD650 anymore, it sounds congested. However both are a bit fatiguing and I’m wondering if the Aeolus is a good replacement for when I want that dark and lush sound. It’s not cheap though and I was wondering if it was sufficiently different from the THX-00 and the Focal to justify the cost?

I don’t listen with EQ if that’s any help.

IMO the Aeolus is wildly different from all the headphones you name. The contrast between it & the others would be considerable (and probably pleasurable, if my experience is any guide).

The Aeolus is a somewhat warm headphone (overall warmth can be changed a LOT by using other ZMF pads besides the stock universe perf. lambskins). But it also resolves very well--has plenty of detail, albeit detail that's never in your face or cringeworthy.

My favorite pad set is the perforated universe suedes; the Verite pads (perforated lambskin) are wonderful in other ways--they push the Aeolus into more air, more resolution & detail (though still w/slight warmth).

Musicality is high w/the Aeolus, no matter which pads you use. All that means is while wearing this headphone, you will be reminded of live music you've heard in the past--the Aeolus has a lot of the open-ness, natural weight in lower registers, and "jump factor" of live music.

 

[smodtactical]

IMO the Aeolus is wildly different from all the headphones you name. The contrast between it & the others would be considerable (and probably pleasurable, if my experience is any guide).

The Aeolus is a somewhat warm headphone (overall warmth can be changed a LOT by using other ZMF pads besides the stock universe perf. lambskins). But it also resolves very well--has plenty of detail, albeit detail that's never in your face or cringeworthy.

My favorite pad set is the perforated universe suedes; the Verite pads (perforated lambskin) are wonderful in other ways--they push the Aeolus into more air, more resolution & detail (though still w/slight warmth).

Musicality is high w/the Aeolus, no matter which pads you use. All that means is while wearing this headphone, you will be reminded of live music you've heard in the past--the Aeolus has a lot of the open-ness, natural weight in lower registers, and "jump factor" of live music.

How did you like atticus though? Atticus on a bright chain might be intresting.. thats kind of my setup.

 

[Pharmaboy]

How did you like atticus though? Atticus on a bright chain might be intresting.. thats kind of my setup.

This will sound weird, but even though I owned a beautiful cocobolo Atticus, I've still never really heard what other people rave about in that headphone. I badly wanted to, but none of my amps made that Atticus happy. Ended up selling it.

You're right--an Atticus on a bright chain might be great. I'm just the wrong guy to ask...

Weirder still, the Aeolus--which has the same driver as the Atticus--sounds amazing on every amp I've tried it on. I'm talking 8-10 amps total by now. The Aeolus is the least amp-picky headphone I know of.

Interestingly enough, the Aeolus + a warm(ish) amp doesn't necessarily sound like too much warmth. I've gotten some very interesting synergies w/the Aeolus & the Liquid Carbon, V281 & Lake People G109-A, all said to be at least a little bit warm.

 

[smodtactical]

This will sound weird, but even though I owned a beautiful cocobolo Atticus, I've still never really heard what other people rave about in that headphone. I badly wanted to, but none of my amps made that Atticus happy. Ended up selling it.

You're right--an Atticus on a bright chain might be great. I'm just the wrong guy to ask...

Weirder still, the Aeolus--which has the same driver as the Atticus--sounds amazing on every amp I've tried it on. I'm talking 8-10 amps total by now. The Aeolus is the least amp-picky headphone I know of.

Interestingly enough, the Aeolus + a warm(ish) amp doesn't necessarily sound like too much warmth. I've gotten some very interesting synergies w/the Aeolus & the Liquid Carbon, V281 & Lake People G109-A, all said to be at least a little bit warm.

Thats very interesting. I find my atticus on he9 + terminator to be very detailed, vivid with a very powerful smooth low end rich in your face magical mids. The only issue I have is that it does sound a bit congested especially in the treble.

I want to hear aeolus, arya and empyrean. Maybe susvara too.

 

[NickT23]

I agree 100%. Once you pair the Aeolus with a nice tube amp you are in heaven. I have a Darkvoice 336SE and a Monolith Tube Amp and they both make the Aeolus sound sublime.

Oh wow so even with Darkvoice 336SE and a Monolith Tube Amp can even sound sublime. Have you test with tube rolling ?

 

[Bruc3]

Can anyone comment on whether this would be the right headphone for me?

My current love is the Sennheiser HD650.

I listen to mostly music with female vocals with acoustic, piano and jazz, some classical. I love intimate vocals that sound sweet and romantic, and really enjoy the sound of acoustic/piano or other stringed instruments in general.

I am actually happy with the HD650, but have some money for an upgrade and wondering if it can get better.

Its a pity its impossible for me to audition these headphones before purchasing.

 

[jnak00]

Can anyone comment on whether this would be the right headphone for me?

My current love is the Sennheiser HD650.

I listen to mostly music with female vocals with acoustic, piano and jazz, some classical. I love intimate vocals that sound sweet and romantic, and really enjoy the sound of acoustic/piano or other stringed instruments in general.

I am actually happy with the HD650, but have some money for an upgrade and wondering if it can get better.

Its a pity its impossible for me to audition these headphones before purchasing.

Others have called the Aeolus an HD650 on steroids. I would agree. They sound somewhat similar, but different enough to justify keeping them both. If that's what you're looking for, the Aeolus is a god choice. If you're looking for something completely different from the HD650, go with something else.

 

[MRHiFiReviews]

Others have called the Aeolus an HD650 on steroids. I would agree. They sound somewhat similar, but different enough to justify keeping them both. If that's what you're looking for, the Aeolus is a god choice. If you're looking for something completely different from the HD650, go with something else.

I have both the 6XX and the Aeolus and the pushes the 6XX to a shelf underneath them. 6XX is still a very enjoyable headphone especially off OTL tube amplifier but once I had the Aeolus in my collection with its better comfort, higher-level performance the 6XX just didn't get the same amount of playtime. Vocals are just awesome on the Aeolus @Bruc3

 

[jnak00]

I have both the 6XX and the Aeolus and the pushes the 6XX to a shelf underneath them. 6XX is still a very enjoyable headphone especially off OTL tube amplifier but once I had the Aeolus in my collection with its better comfort, higher-level performance the 6XX just didn't get the same amount of playtime. Vocals are just awesome on the Aeolus @Bruc3

My experience is basically the same

 

[MRHiFiReviews]

Oh wow so even with Darkvoice 336SE and a Monolith Tube Amp can even sound sublime. Have you test with tube rolling ?

I have been using the Feliks Elise and the ZMF Pendant right now with the Aeolus a bunch and hope to finish building the Bottle Head Crack over the holidays. Also rolled the Aeolus with many different hybrid tube amps and solid-state amps so far. Some of my favorites so far are Elise, ZmF Pendant, iFi Pro iCAN, LYR3, Monolith Liquid Platinum....

 

[Pharmaboy]

There are differences among tube amps. My experience is that OTL (output transformer-less) tube amps like the Darkvoice 336SE often have a special sonic effect with high impedance headphones like the HD650 & Aeolus. The effect is a subtle: I hear it as a quality of calm/level control of the headphone, in addition all the other typical tube goodies (3D note quality, big soundstage, slight warmth). I've heard this at shows; also hear it with my humble but nice-sounding OTL, Woo WA3 with the Aeolus & JAR650 (HD650 modded by Jupiter Audio Research).

Note: Haven't heard the Darkvoice. Still, it likely would do very well by the Aeolus.​

Beyond the OTL issue, I've heard amazing sound on the Aeolus with various transformer-coupled tube amps, here & at shows. Tubes just sound wonderful IMO.