Shure AONIC 4 Wired Sound Isolating Earbuds, Detailed Sound, Dual-Driver Hybrid, Secure in-Ear Fit, Detachable Cable, Durable Quality, Compatible…

Having read several reviews where users have binned these earphones after a very short time using them I thought I’d leave my review until I’d have time to really assess what I thought about them

And I’m glad I did

Initial impressions were good when the earphones arrived. They looked good and sounded, well, good. The wire was a little unwieldy and initially didn’t sit over my ear comfortably, particularly with glasses.

There was plenty in the box to play with as well, and so I did. Having read a couple of reviews which spoke of experimenting with the tips for the earphones to change their sound aspect I tried a variety of those in the box. The yellow foam tip really didn’t do anything good for sound and was, quite frankly, uncomfortable. I then moved on to the more traditional rubber tips. Trying the medium size didn’t fit well in my ear, which surprised me, and the sound was poor. I then tried the smaller size and it was a revelation. The fit was far more comfortable, they sat in my ears more naturally, and the sound quality noticeably better. Even lying on them at night they do not dig in as much as other headphones I’ve had.

As to the sound. Once I had played with the tips there was a noticeable improvement. At first the sound seemed less rich than I was used to with wired headphones but, as they bedded in perhaps, the depth and richness of the music started to come out particularly in the lower ranges. I started to pick out parts of familiar pieces that I hadn’t noticed before, such as snares and cymbals that had been masked by overwhelming bass, or whispers in the lyrics I hadn’t noticed before, or guitar solos ringing more clearly than before (I listen to a lot of guitar based music, particularly prog). Even electronic soundtracks became more sibilant. Also I tried different streaming services and found those with higher definition made a huge difference (Spotify is great for new music but not as great for sound quality)

As for the wire that’s starting to ease and become a bit more pliable as it’s used and it sits comfortable over my ears even with glasses on.

It’s taken time to get there though but I don’t regret the investment

First things first: I’m assuming that if you are shopping for relatively expensive wired IEMs, then you care about audio clarity and detail to the point you are not happy with what you currently get from far more convenient wireless offerings. You want something to listen to lossless audio with on the go. If that is the case, I believe you can safely discard the “no bass” claims from other reviews, they are likely due to inadequate seal and/or being compared to bass heavy headphones.

As other Shure IEMs, they come with a pair of each tip, they affect the sound substantially, and you should experiment to find out what works best for you. For most people that would be the medium black “olive” foam tips, the ones that are mounted out of the box. It might be tricky. Having owned Shure for some years, I’ve noticed for instance that the medium foam tips can actually vary in size from sample to sample, to the point I don’t get a good seal with a particular tip, be aware of that. You will know when you get a good seal.

Once that is out of the way, they sound quite amazing. Bass is enjoyable and punchy, with just the right amount of resonance. Mids have trademark Shure detail. Treble sounds somewhat recessed when comparing to the SE535, but not the point that they sound muffled. This actually prevents them from being fatiguing over long listening sessions. I think the way these are balanced is the sweet spot between detail and comfort/fatigue.

But, for me, the most distinctive thing about the Aonic 4 and what makes them really enjoyable is how the sound is presented. The mids and highs somehow float above the lows, creating an open soundstage with a big deal of separation. It sounds way closer to what you would listen from room speakers.

All in all, these are definitely becoming my portable daily drivers and I whole heartedly recommend them. £200+ for me is still a whole lot of money to throw at a tiny pair of IEMs, but I can see many hours of joy ahead.

EDIT: while I still think these are great, the industry has moved on, and exceptional stuff like 7Hz Timeless AE or Moondrop Blessing 2 exists, so in good conscience I had to drop a star. The build quality on these is top notch, as is the passive sound isolation, but sound quality is not the best for the price point.

2 possibiltà: o sono guaste, o sono dei cloni mal fatti
davvero le peggior cuffie mai ascoltate, con una gamme medio alta esagerata e gamma bassa assente
rese immediatamente