Name: ETHER 2 Planar Headphones - Open Box
SKU: 134141

Save $220 on Open Box

At only 290grams, ETHER 2 smashes the weight barrier for top-of-the-line headphones, ensuring it feels as good as it sounds and looks.

ETHER 2 is Dan Clark Audio's top-of-the-line open-back planar magnetic headphone with a new driver, motor, baffle, and headband all designed to synergistically blend stunningly lifelike sound with the industry-leading comfort and reliability that are the hallmarks of Dan Clark Audio products.

Putting the Pedal to the Metal

ETHER 2 has an entirely new motor designed around the concept of TrueFlow technology. Instead of designing TrueFlow into the motor, we designed the motor around the TrueFlow technology to realize a major improvement in linearity, dynamics, and detail. And we didn’t stop there.

To make the most of the increased resolution of the motor we developed an all-new diaphragm that’s 70% less aluminum trace weight than the original ETHER driver. As a result, ETHER 2 delivers incredible clarity, powerful, fast bass, liquid mids, and a smooth, balanced top end that’s incredibly resolving yet not at all bright to deliver a coherent, dynamic and remarkably balanced performance.

Shedding Weight, Not Strength

ETHER 2 is light. Really light, almost 90 grams or 3.75 ounces lighter than our comfortable ETHER Flow headphones. Amazingly, this weight drop didn’t involve switching from metal to plastic components, which would compromise sound and reduce product life. Nope.

ETHER 2 sports an all-metal headphone cup and headband, with a carbon fiber driver baffle, so it’s built to last, in style. At under 290g, ETHER 2 is not only the lightest full size planar magnetic headphone on the market and it may be the lightest top-of-the-line headphone from any high-end vendor.

Ultralightweight design with a new ergonomic ear pad and an enhanced webbed head-strap combine to make ETHER 2 the new standard in high-performance headphone comfort and ergonomics.

Get Wired with VIVO!

We didn’t stop at upgrades to the headphone, either. While our original DUM (Distinctly Un-Magical) cable was a great performer, it was a bit stiffer and more microphonic than we wanted, so we set out to upgrade the cable.

Meet VIVO, our new flagship cable! For sound quality, this fully-custom cable design incorporates silver plated OFHC copper and top-quality connectors available in 6’ and 10’ 1/4” and 4-pin XLR terminations, and portable-friendly 3.5’ 2.5, 3.5, and 4.4mm cables. VIVO projects a wide open and holographic soundstage with precise imaging and tons of smooth detail.

And VIVO feels as good as it looks, and sounds. VIVO has a remarkably supple feel and is so light you’ll hardly notice it’s there and careful construction means it’s non-microphonic for comfortable and “quiet” listening.

"When factoring in their $2000 price while most competitors ask two to three times for their offerings, which puts the Ether 2 in a league of its own."
Scott Lombardo, Enjoy the Music

ETHER 2 System: Three Ear Pads, Three Unique Experiences

ETHER 2 supports 3 ear pads each offering a unique sound and comfort experience. That means ETHER 2 is one headphone but has 3 distinct voices. You can now purchase the ETHER 2 with all 3 ear pads as the ETHER 2 System. The great part is you can peel the pads off and change them anytime.

So what’s the effect on the sound? With the stock earpad as the reference, the suede pad is offers a little more output in the bass region and a little more sparkle on top, while the perforated pads deliver the largest soundstage and increase relative bass and treble for a more fun and lively voicing. The stock earpads put the midrange a bit further forward compared to the perforated and suede pads.

ETHER 2 Ear Pad Comparison

Relative levels of Ether 2 with Original, Perforated, and Suede ear pads

As you can see in the chart above, the original ear pad (blue) offers the most forward midrange, while the suede pads (green) deliver a somewhat warmer bottom-end and a little additional sparkle up top. The perforated pads, red, deliver the strongest relative bass and treble for a more “fun” tone.

Ear pads may be purchased separately or in a special bundle including the perforated and suede pads for a discounted price through October, 2020. The Ether 2 Headphone will come with the perforated pads instead of the original design once existing stock is sold.

“And now with this new package, you don’t just get one world class reference headphone, but three with a profile to match pretty much any listener.”
Gary Allen Barker, Headphone Guru