Over-Ear
Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X
78Great
$499
Full review dataDan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X vs HiFiMAN Arya: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN Arya comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN Arya - Outstanding overall at around $769.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X
Sound8.0
Value7.5
HiFiMAN Arya
Sound9.5
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X | HiFiMAN Arya |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $499 | $769 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2020 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar magnetic | Planar |
| Driver size | 62 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 8Hz-65kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 14 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 91 dB/mW | 90 dB/mW |
| Battery | ||
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | none | - |
| Transparency mode | No | - |
| Companion app | No | - |
| Custom EQ | No | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | none | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 342 g | 430 g |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X
The Dan Clark Audio Aeon Closed X is a wired, closed-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers a neutral-leaning sound with deep bass and impressive clarity for its price. It's exceptionally light for a planar, but its low impedance and modest sensitivity mean it still needs a decent amp to shine, and its treble can be bright without the included tuning inserts. Overall, it's a well-built, technically capable closed-back option that benefits from careful source pairing and minor tweaks.
- Pro:Very lightweight for a planar design
- Pro:Deep, punchy bass with good extension
- Pro:Spacious soundstage for a closed-back
- Con:Treble can be sharp without damping inserts
- Con:Needs a powerful amp despite low impedance
- Con:No built-in controls or app support
HiFiMAN Arya
The HiFiMAN Arya is a premium planar magnetic headphone known for its exceptionally fast, detailed, and airy sound. Its bright-neutral tuning delivers a highly resolving, spacious presentation with excellent technical performance, making it a strong choice for critical listening, though it requires a good amplifier to shine. With a comfortable open-back design and a relatively affordable price for its class, it balances high-end performance with accessibility.
- Pro:Excellent detail retrieval and transparency
- Pro:Wide, open soundstage with precise imaging
- Pro:Fast and articulate planar driver response
- Con:Bright treble can be fatiguing for sensitive ears
- Con:Needs a powerful amp to reach full potential
- Con:Open-back leaks sound and offers little isolation
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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