Dan Clark Audio Ether 2From real comments

Name: Dan Clark Audio Ether 2
Rating: 3.4 (14 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 14 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment57%

PROS 57%

CONS 43%

Rank based on 14 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You have a capable amp/DAC and want a planar that scales with better gear
Comfort and long listening sessions matter more than aggressive dynamics
You can find one used at a discount off the ~$1500+ retail price

What users love

Scales well with better gear0 mentions

Widely praised

Good value used0 mentions

Widely praised

Comfortable, lightweight fit0 mentions

Widely praised

Responds well to modding0 mentions

Widely praised

Smooth, non-fatiguing treble0 mentions

Widely praised

Distinctive looks0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You only have a phone or weak source and can't add amplification
You want Audeze-style punch and slam from your planar
You're price-sensitive and expect technicalities to match full retail cost

What users complain about

Needs significant power0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Questionable value at retail price0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Mixed tonality assessment0 mentions

Generally negative

Lacks Audeze-style punch0 mentions

Generally negative

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31Premium

Dan Clark Audio Ether 2

Good value usedScales well with better gearComfortable, lightweight fitNeeds significant powerQuestionable value at retail priceLacks Audeze-style punch

Dan Clark Audio Ether 2

Good value used

Scales well with better gear

Comfortable, lightweight fit

Needs significant power

Questionable value at retail price

Lacks Audeze-style punch

Comfort
1. Sennheiser HD 490 Proarrow_upward11
2. Apple EarPodsarrow_upward10
3. Shure SRH1540arrow_upward8
Sound quality
1. Apple EarPodsarrow_upward12
2. Apple AirPods Pro 2arrow_upward8
3. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700arrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Shure SRH1540arrow_upward6
2. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700arrow_downward3
3. Sennheiser HD 490 Proarrow_downward3
Noise cancellation
1. Apple AirPods Pro 2arrow_upward8
2. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700arrow_upward7
Wide soundstage
1. Philips SHP9500arrow_upward9
2. Denon AH-D9200arrow_upward4
Durability
1. Apple EarPodsarrow_upward6
2. Apple AirPods Pro 2arrow_downward4

Overall Impression

Needs real power to shine. Multiple owners stress that the Ether 2 is not very efficient and shouldn't be run straight from a phone, which will clip out quickly and disappoint. Big desktop amps and better DACs are reported to noticeably improve dynamics, with one owner months into ownership still finding new synergy as they tried different tube and solid-state amps.

Comfort and looks stand out. Commenters repeatedly call the Ether line comfortable and light for a planar, with one specifically praising it as 'comfy and doesn't weigh a lot.' Another simply remarks the Ether 2 looks 'damn cool,' suggesting the industrial design and ergonomics are a consistent strength regardless of listeners' views on the sound signature.

Value and tuning are debated. Opinions split on whether the Ether justifies its price: some recommend buying used at roughly half of $1500 for good value, while others say the Flow variants aren't competitive against rivals like the Audeze LCD-XC or Focal Clear at retail. A third-party rating site also gave the tuning only a 'C' for tonality and technicalities, and some listeners simply don't connect with Dan Clark Audio's house sound versus Audeze's punch.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

trending_upScales well with better gear

2 mentions

Widely praised

Owners find the sound continues to improve with better DACs, amps, and cables over time. One long-term owner tried multiple amp/DAC combinations and consistently heard gains.

@brandonburr4900

I agree with your review for the most part. I have owned them a couple months and been trying them with various dacs, amps, etc and finding these continue to get better with better equipment. Not a huge surprise. This is my first planar and I have found that I can get the dynamics going pretty good with some amps. Finding out they don't mind a little more power as their not really efficient. Don't try hooking them to your phone. You will max it out quick and be disappointed lol. Been trying them in my big rig system with a expensive highly modded old school dac and they sound really good. Sound great with various centrance dac amps as well. Good combo with the hifi m8 version 1 dac/amp. Will be trying them more on a tube amp. As far as price you can find these used for half the $1500. And heard they respond well to a upgraded headphone cable as well. A really nice well rounded planar that is comfy and doesn't weigh a lot.

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September 6, 2020

@ACM1000000PT

I highly recommend try these 90db 23ohm headphone with big amplifiers for dynamics, i had this headphones with a good dap, but the dynamic with a big desktop amplifier was a lot better..

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September 6, 2020

attach_moneyGood value used

2 mentions

Widely praised

Buyers note these can be found used for around half the $1500 retail price, and a related offshoot model (Ether CX) is called one of the best values around.

@brandonburr4900

smart_display

September 6, 2020

@arthurhaywood2184

I own the Drop + MrSpeakers Ether CX which are an offshoot of these. One of the best values around.

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April 2, 2020

self_improvementComfortable, lightweight fit

1 mentions

Widely praised

Multiple commenters call the Ether headphones comfortable and not heavy to wear, a notable strength for extended listening sessions.

@brandonburr4900

smart_display

September 6, 2020

buildResponds well to modding

1 mentions

Widely praised

A commenter who modded their pair reports tighter bass, a more musical sound, and an expanded, more pinpoint soundstage after modification.

@JMAudioEditions

I enjoyed your review- thank very accurate take on these - I just started modding these and tightened the bass up ever so much better than stock making them slightly more musical- I also managed to expanded the sound stage while spreading out the image improves the total pin point accurate placement- I think these went to the next tier maybe even s tier now - I did the same for the aeon which I like even more now than stock - I hope one day I can send you a set to try - JM Audio Editions

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October 3, 2022

volume_upSmooth, non-fatiguing treble

1 mentions

Widely praised

One listener sensitive to the 6-14kHz range describes the tuning as ideal, without whistles, sibilance, or ringing.

@LokiOdinson

Wow, these are headphones for people like me! Sensitive to the range 6-14 kHz. An ideal pit, without whistles, sibilants, ringing and a saw on the ear nerves

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May 18, 2024

visibilityDistinctive looks

1 mentions

Widely praised

A commenter compliments the Ether 2's appearance, saying they look 'damn cool.'

@looyoo0-u6i

wow i have not heard someone bring up the dca ether 2 in a while which is a shame bc they look damn cool

smart_display

May 30, 2024

battery_alertNeeds significant power

2 mentions

Frequently criticized

The headphones are described as not very efficient; running them from a phone will max it out quickly and disappoint. A bigger desktop amplifier is recommended for proper dynamics.

@brandonburr4900

smart_display

September 6, 2020

@ACM1000000PT

I highly recommend try these 90db 23ohm headphone with big amplifiers for dynamics, i had this headphones with a good dap, but the dynamic with a big desktop amplifier was a lot better..

smart_display

September 6, 2020

money_offQuestionable value at retail price

2 mentions

Frequently criticized

Some commenters say the Ether Flow variants aren't competitive at their price point against rivals, and one bluntly implies the price makes it not worth buying despite a positive review.

@kristoffer8740

Both the Ether C Flow 1.1 and Ether Flow 1.1 are just not competitive at their price points. The Ether C Flow 1.1 does not compete with the Audeze LCD-XC in terms of technicalities. The only advantage the Ether C Flow has is comfort. Not sure why you would be the Ether Flow 1.1 over the Arya, LCD-X, or Focal Clear.

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September 6, 2020

@nikolaninkov

\"Price aside [...] I can strongly recommend.\"\nThat's a nice way of saying that it's not worth buying for its asking price.

smart_display

September 6, 2020

warningMixed tonality assessment

1 mentions

Generally negative

A third-party review site gave the headphone only a 'C' for tonality and 'C+' for technicalities, citing a dip in the upper midrange despite an otherwise nice frequency response curve.

@noself1028

Thanks, this is an informative, helpful review. I've seen some other reviews that are similarly positive, but the Crinacle website gave it a \"C\" rating, noting concerns with the upper midrange tuning (I assume he's referring to the dip between 1.7k and 2.8k Hz). He gave it a \"C\" for tonality and a \"C+\" for technicalities, in spite of an otherwise nice-looking frequency response curve. As a potential purchaser of this headphone, I'd be interested in your feedback on this.

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April 25, 2021

thumb_downLacks Audeze-style punch

1 mentions

Generally negative

A listener says they could never fully connect with Dan Clark Audio's headphones because they wanted the more visceral 'punch' associated with Audeze planars.

@Berkanann

While I absolutely love Dan as a fantastic member of this hobby and audio community, I could never really connect with his headphones. I guess when it comes to planars I just want that Audeze punch.

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September 5, 2020

Dan Clark Audio Ether 2chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

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Who wins on what

Comfort

Sound quality

Build quality

Noise cancellation

Wide soundstage

Durability

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Dan Clark Audio Ether 2From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression