When it comes to earphones, Shure is a brand that knows what it’s all about. The Chicago-based company has been making great audio gear since 1929 and is also a legendary name in microphone. The classic Shure SM7B microphone is arguably the favorite choice of microphone for musicians the world over.
Shure has also carved out a name for itself in making sound-isolating earphones that passively block out as much sound as possible, creating an immersive sound that wrings out all the detail from a piece of recorded music.
The Shure AONIC 4 earphones are as close as you can get to a custom pair of in-ear monitors at an off-the-shelf price. Like most of Shure’s earphones, the AONIC 4 fit up and over the ear with the wires hooking over the top of the ear and the earpieces coming down to fit closely into the bowl of the listener’s ears.
Each earpiece of the Shure AONIC 4 has two speakers; one is a regular dynamic driver that’s great for bass and middle frequencies, while the second is a tiny balanced armature driver device. Balanced armatures are the same type of drivers used in hearing aids. They are incredibly accurate, power-efficient and easy to drive. The balanced armature drivers work as a tweeter and they convey all the higher frequencies of recorded music that give it focus and direction. It’s the balanced armature driver that gives the AONIC 4 their sharp and precise sound.
Thanks to sound-isolating technology, the Shure AONIC 4 fit snugly in the ear canals and cut out up to -37dB of extraneous noise, that’s as much as some active noise-canceling earphones can deliver. As well as keeping unwanted noises out, the AONIC 4 keep most of the sound they produce within the ears. Shure provides a huge range of ear tips with the AONIC 4 and that includes a selection of memory foam ear tips that can create a superb sonic seal.
The AONIC 4 have a low-profile design with the nozzles that are specially angled to directs the sound right into the listener’s ear angled to ensure a comfortable fit with the beast seal possible. At this point, I have often found Shure earphones difficult to get a comfortable fit with a good seal, but with the larger silicon ear tips I had no problem getting a good fit with maximum sound isolation.
The build quality of these premium earphones is superb and Shure has used the industry-standard MMCX detachable cable connectors so that the AONIC 4’s cable can exchanged for Shure’s SecureFit wireless adapter so the earphones can be used with a Bluetooth connection. There’s also an inline remote control provided with a built-in microphone for making phone calls. The remote works with both Android and iOS devices with full functionality.
The sound produced by the Shure AONIC 4 is simply stunning in its character and its precision. The hybrid design presents music in a way that will surprise anyone who is used to listening to a single-driver design of earphones. The difference is incredible. The drivers manage to extract so much more detail from the music that it sounds almost as if someone has flicked a switch and removed the blurring or smeary sound that many earphones suffer from. The balance between the bass and the treble frequencies is perfectly balanced and I guarantee that the AONIC 4 will make listening to music more pleasurable when you replay your favorite albums and tracks.
Shure supplies as hard zippered storage case with the AONIC 4 and there’s a great selection of ear tips including memory foam and silicone types. Normally, my ear shape doesn’t always suit Shure’s Sound Isolating earphones but the AONIC 4 are the first pair that have fitted my ears comfortable and created a great seal. They certainly deliver a sound that’s equal to some hybrid earphones costing three times the price.
Verdict: The Shure AONIC 4 earphones are a superb addition to the Shure range of sound-isolating earphones. The fit is unusual and may not suit everyone but for those people whose ears can accommodate the AONIC 4’s fit, the reward is a sound quality that few brands can equal. Shure has selected the perfect combination of micro-dynamic and balanced armature drivers to produce a sound signature that reveals every last detail in a recording with a character that’s musical and rhythmic. These are some of the best-value hybrid earphones on the market and they can even be used wirelessly with Shure’s optional SecureFit wireless adapter.
Pricing and availability: $299 / £275 / €319
More info: www.shure.com
Tech Specs:
- Transducer types: Dual-driver hybrid: single balanced armature + dynamic
- Sensitivity 106 dB SPL/mW @1 KHz
- Impedance7Ω @1 KHz
- Noise attenuation: up to 37dB
- Frequency range: 20 Hz — 19 kHz
- Input Connector: MMCX connectors
- Remote/microphone: Inline mic with 3-button control
- Compatibility: Android or iOS
- Cable length: 127 cm (50 in)
- Earphone weight: 2.9 g (0.1 oz)
- Weight: 21.1g (0.9oz)
