AEON 2 Noire

I think the X and XO attack better than the Aeons. But I won’t say it’s night and day.

Finally someone else that doesn’t like the Meze sound. I wanted to like the 109 Pro so badly because it just looks so so good and feels great. But the sound profile is not for me at all. If you’re looking for some that fits between the HD600 and the Noire, the Focal Hadenys is worth a look - you can catch a deal on them if you’re patient and they are a good set. I also think that you will like the Arya Stealth if you get to try them. They were my endgame until one of the speakers died like a week after I got it. If you get one that works, they are an amazing daal.

They were my endgame until the right cup went out 2 weeks in. Noire XO is better but not 2.5x better.

They are a bit different as the E3 is closed and the XO is an open headphone. If you don't need a closed headphone, get the XO. If you do and If fidelity to the Harman Curve and a large soundstage are critical to you, get the E3. I have the Noire 2 (not the X) and I really like it as a slightly more fun sound than the E3. But if I want reference sound in a closed headphone I go to the E3.

I'm going to say no based on the following selection of headphones that I own: Dynamic: Verite Open, Focal Elegia, Beyerdynamic T5/3rd generation and HD650, Planar: DCA E3, DCA Noire, Hifiman HE1000 Stealth, Audeze LCD-2f. IEMs: FiiO FH7s, Westone Mach 40; earbuds: Galaxy Buds Pro 2, Galaxy Buds Pro 3, Jabra Elite Active 8, Sennheiser True Momentum 4, Bose QC II, Bose QC Ultra and ANC headphones Bose NC700, Bose QC Ultra, Sony XM5 and B&W Px8.

1. DCA E3: To me nothing else is very close. Perfect tuning out of the box for what I like and very comfortable. I can wear these all day easily. 2. Focal Elegia: With Dekoni sheepskin pads and a bunch of EQ these sound incredibly better. Agree with build comments and not a great fan of microfiber. 3. DCA Noire: Very comfortable more fun oriented sound for me. Use these for certain types of rap, rock and hip-hop where they are quite effective. 4. Beyerdynamic T5/3rd Generation: Another puzzling stock sound choice that sounds much better with EQ. Perhaps my most comfortable headphone. ANC preferences Focal Bathys and B&W Px8 the latter with EQ to fix low frequencies.

The Meze 109 is a bright headphone with a strong bass presence and is not what I would consider a "natural sounding" headphone. For me it would be much closer to the HD660s2 than the 600 or 650. It is much better made than the Sennheiser headphones which are solid made but pretty much plastic all around. The wood earcups are a nice touch and the frame is manganese and not plastic. So clearly a premier looking open headphone. If you are interested in a closed headphone that is a bit more punchy than the HD600/650 the DCA Noire which comes with different pads to change tuning is one of my favorite headphones and the best closed headphone for me at that price. And really hard to compare to the 109 as the DCA is closed so starts a bit different. But of my closed headphones it isn't that far from the Meze 109 with a very solid bass and subtle V shaped sound presentation. To be clear, if you like the Meze 109 Pro (great headphone) with an AMP you are looking at \~$1000.

Dan Clark Noire X expensive but one of the best you can get

I am itching to get one since I love my aeon 2 noire (despite the fact that I had to RMA twice for the channel imbalance issues). Not quite sure if I would prefer the tuning of this more though. I find harman tuning to be a little too shouty.

I use the FiiO Btr 17 dac/ Bluetooth transmitter with my wired headphones. I like a bunch of different headphones. My favorites with the btr 17 is the Aeon 2 Noir, the Sennheiser HD 650, and Sennheiser HD 560s. Not a setup I’d use out an about, but it’s excellent for the couch.