Shure Earbuds, Black, Aonic 4

Product Information

The battery level is more than sufficient at 45 hours, the build is classy, the companion app is excellent and the multipoint pairing experience has never let me down. Power up by pressing the right control button, and then put into pairing mode by continuing to press. Once the right earbud announces it’s paired, press the left control button to bring that ear into play. And then it’s sonic satisfaction all the way. The sturdy way the earcups articulate and the headband adjusts (plus the 334g weight) are the only real indications, design-wise, of where your extra outlay might have gone. Up to a point, it’s Shure in-ear business as usual here. The company’s long favoured a monitor-style ‘twist to fit’ design for its in-ear models and the Aonic 215s are no exception. There is quite a wide selection of ear-tips included in the big circular box the Shures come in, and once you’ve identified the ones that suit you best then the 215s fit snugly and comfortably.

This hardware kit actually contains two pairs of extra nozzles for the earbuds. These aren’t replacements for the ones currently fitted to the Aonic 5 should one snap or get damaged; each pair can alter the balance of the sound produced by the earbuds. It’s not a new concept and we’ve seen a few manufacturers offer this customisation over the years, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it on a pair of portable Shures. Paolo Nutini's Loving You is a delight, with Nutini's textured voice held centrally among agile guitars and easy drums. I enjoyed the Aonic’s sense of personalization and versatility. Shure has shown that one earphone can try to do it all, and for the most part, the Aonic 5 succeeded. However, accessibility can be an issue, and this IEM can be a hard sell for some. I found that the more you put into the Aonic 5, the more it delivers. Some may just need an IEM that has a flat, neutral response for monitoring, and the Aonic 5 does that very well, but for a more textured, satisfying sound signature, it definitely benefits from outboard gear.

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Once audio content is on board, it’s delivered by a single high definition microdriver in each earbud. Shure isn’t exactly making with the details here, either of driver size or material – but this is Shure we’re talking about. If there’s a company you can trust to do the right thing where critical hardware like transducers is concerned, surely Shure is it. allows for direct connection to laptops, in-flight entertainment systems and other mobile devices. Secure, over-the-ear design with wireform ensures earphones stay in place and cables remain out of the way. In conclusion, I’m simply grateful that we have the many easily available music choices available today. There’s no need to think of MQA as a threat, but rather another option we as consumers have to enjoy great sounding music anywhere at anytime, especially in light of current world situations. We need music! ✌ Reply

Control of the AONIC 50 is either physical (with the physical interface arranged on the right-hand earcup, as seems to be the wireless over-ear law) or via the ShurePlus PLAY app (iOS and Android). Unlike any number of nominal rivals, there are no touch-controls here - and only quite limited involvement of Google Assistant voice control. The AONIC 50 go without accelerometers, too, so will continue playing until you explicitly tell them not too - even if you’ve taken them off and folded them flat. This acquisition is yet another example of Aonic's commitment to championing mid-sized studios and creating an environment where teams can create fantastic games."One of the highlights of this series is the impeccable soundstage these IEMs produce. Big imaging and depth are then game the Aonic 5 plays, as left/right stereo width lies toward the accurate side. The stage never feels like its open or substantial width, but there’s enough focus here to be respectable. The spatial imaging does most of the job here, creating engaging displays of sound reproduction. First off, these headphones are not particularly expensive given their features and the price of competitors. That said, if you want the best ANC over-ears money can buy, spend it elsewhere, on the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless or the Sony WH-1000XM5. There is active noise cancellation here, and the presets are fine, but it isn't a class-leading experience. The mic offers solid intelligibility. Using the Voice Memos app on an iPhone, we could understand every word we recorded. The mic’s signal is bright, and though typical Bluetooth audio artifacts are present, callers should have no issues understanding you on a clear mobile connection. Wire-Free Sound for Audiophiles puts you in control of your audio experience. Select balanced, warm or bright audio through removable nozzles for three unique sound signatures. We switch to Eilish’s No Time To Die from the upcoming Bond film of the same title and the Aonic 50s display detail in abundance, but without creating the same sense of atmosphere as the very best. They do many things well, but don’t engage enough with the listener to leave the same lasting impression as the Sony WH-1000XM3s or B&W PX7s, for example.