Really appreciate the help everyone! I think that since I don’t need closed headphones any more at home (I work from home but changed my mind on needing isolation most of the time), I might as well go all-in on open headphones. Almost positive I’ll grab the 6xx given the price and how it should sound coming from my 598s. Doubt there are any open headphones that are significantly better than those in the $600-800 price range, but stop me if I need to be aware of something. At <$200 that will buy me some time until I get hungry for something much better (my budget is already strained after the DAC/amp purchases, which were unexpected).
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The other lower cost favorite around here are HiFiMan HE-560s ($250 to $300 street). Many of the regulars have experience with them, and there is a lengthy thread on this site.
HE-560s have many generations and the early ones (wood/wood grain) had serious reliability issues. They have planar drivers with a gentle, diffuse profile versus the bang and stab of Focal. They truly demand a high power amp (such as the 789) to sound decent.
I think I said this in an earlier message, but my three primary stationary headphones are HD-600s, HE-560s, and the Elex. I use AFCs when isolation is necessary.
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I’ll take a look at those as well!
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Almost my exact thought when the $600+ price range is mentioned. We both have HE-560s also, and it’s really a tossup of taste as to which I want to listen to. I don’t know which I would pick if I had to choose one. For some reason I prefer the Hifiman with most jazz. There is something about how it presents small combos, woodwinds, and a jazz drum set.
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I think I am trying to create a similar work/travel set up as you but with the Aeon2C instead of the Elegia but hard to say as the Elegia come up used for a really good price!!
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Regarding Elegia (dynamic drivers) and AEON closed models (planar drivers). Be very very conscious of air pressure fatigue. Dynamic drivers are a challenge in closed headphones – I chose AEON Flow Closed expressly to minimize this issue.
I think this contributes to @Brian_Neese’s negative reaction to the Elegia too.
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This is great advice @generic thank you, this nudges me even more towards the Aeon2C, between the portability factor, different design/manufacturer from what I have already and the other reviews I have read about the Aeon2C I really want to give it a listen first and foremost. I can’t remember if I asked you @generic if you ever powered your AeonC with an XDSD, dragonfly cobalt or something of similar power when on the go?
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I tried them with a PC immediately after buying and they sounded “okay.” I used them with my FiiO Q5 single-ended and they were “okay.” I got a balanced cable and tried them with the Q5 – absolutely horrible. The mobile battery seemingly couldn’t deliver enough current in balanced mode (this is understandable). They sound very nice on a desktop amp, either single-ended or balanced.
So now, I reserve the AFC for stationary noisy environments. They are indeed competitive with open headphones for 1-2 hours of solid listening (before fatigue). I use either Sony WH1000XM2s or IEMs for mobile scenarios.
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I got a chance to listen to the new Aeon2 at the last meet up… honestly it reminded me of a less bassy version of the Fostex TH-X00 series…granted I believe it was the open version though…
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I haven’t heard those yet, still so new to this hobby, so I am pretty limited to what I have heard at least until I can get involved with that loaner program 
Are those enjoyable headphones?
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I think the FiiO Q5 doesn’t have quite the same power level as the iFi XDSD. I have read the Aeon2C is pretty darned demanding for power to drive. I am hopeful it will power them to enjoyable levels. At home I have the THX SMSL 200 which will have more than enough power for them and eventually will probably add the LYR 3 or 4 if that’s in the works. So really it comes down to the question of if the XDSD is up to the job for portable use! 
I suppose I could test the XDSD with the Ananda’s and see how it does, that might give me a bit of a hint at how it would perform with the Aeon2C?
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Per the links below, the Q5 has about half the output single-ended but about the same as the XDSD on balanced. I was exceptionally unhappy on balanced. IIRC, @Torq was also not happy with AEON headphones on mobile devices.
It’ll depend on your quality standards. I used the AFC single-ended on the Q5 for a while. I just found it not worth the effort and reverted to the Sony WH1000XM2s – they add a ton of mobile-friendly features and the quality on the Q5 wasn’t too different in noisy places.
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If the XDSD isn’t powerful enough to drive the AEONC2 in the field the iFi Audio Micro iDSD Black Label would solve the power problem ya @generic @Torq @TylersEclectic ?
It should power it, but I personally wouldn’t call it the most portable solution…
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For sure… I do realize it’s bigger. I sent an email to Dan Clark Audio to see what they recommend as far as portable units to power it. I really like the XDSD but I don’t want to be limited by it, which it sounds like it could be with my planar headphones? Honestly it’s a bit confusing to me as some people say the iFi XDSD will have enough power and other say it won’t. What do you use to power your portable work/on the go rig?
I use a Cayin N6ii dap…honestly I’m not the most familiar with the new Aeon…give me a sec I’ll look into it …
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Given the size, the odd tubular form-factor, and ifi’s marketing of the Black Label as a desktop product…it’s not for me. I’d personally look at the JDS Labs Element II for this niche (but no battery). Planars are hungry, no way around that.
I choose a rig that’s less power hungry. HD-600s or Focal Elex or a true mobile headphone/IEM.
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Thank you sir!
http://www.digizoid.com/headphones-power.html
That is a fun site…but doesn’t fully tell the story…as planars are power hungry…lol
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Thanks man, that’s a cool website. Definitely helps! I will see what Dan and his team says too. I like the smaller form factor of the XDSD It rates at 500mW @ 16 Ohm vs the black label at 4,000mW @ 16 Ohm so based on that website link it says if I listened to the AEON2C at hearing damaging levels I would need 631.88 mW which would be more than the iFi XDSD can output.
The Aeon2C specs
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Efficiency: 92dB/mW Closed, 94dB Open
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Weight (without cable): 327gr Closed, 327gr Open
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Detachable 2m premium dual-entry cable with 3.5mm and 1/4" termination
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Impedance: 13 ohms
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Frequency Response: Yes*
I asked @Resolve earlier today after reading his awesome review. He thinks the XDSD could power it but I don’t think anyone has actually tested them with that unit yet to find out how well and how good they will sound.
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