The Shure AONIC 5 and SE535 represent two of the company’s premium in-ear monitor headphone options. As part of the monitoring-focused SE series, the SE535 have long been a favorite for critical listening. The AONIC 5 offers Shure’s expertise in a more modern, feature-packed package.
For audio enthusiasts trying to choose between these high-end earphones, here is an in-depth look at how the Shure AONIC 5 and SE535 match up.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Shure AONIC 5 | Shure SE535 |
| Design | Over-ear adjustable | Over-ear adjustable |
| Drivers | Hybrid with 9.6mm dynamic and balanced armature | Triple balanced armature |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz – 20kHz | 22Hz – 18.5kHz |
| Impedance | 16 ohms | 36 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 109 dB SPL/mW | 119 dB SPL/mW |
| Wireless | Bluetooth 5.0 | Wired only |
| Noise Isolation | Up to 37dB | Up to 37dB |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | Not water resistant |
Overview of the Shure AONIC 5
As part of Shure’s new AONIC line, the AONIC 5 offers premium sound in a modern headphone package with useful smart features. They excel at providing detailed audio reproduction across frequencies in both wired and wireless modes.
Key features and design of the AONIC 5:
- Hybrid Driver Design – Combines a dynamic 9.6mm driver for rich bass and a balanced armature for accurate mids/highs.
- TrueWireless Technology – Low latency wireless via Bluetooth 5.0. Charging case provides over 20 hours of battery life.
- Environment Mode – Lets in ambient sound to stay aware of surroundings. Active noise cancellation.
- IPX4 Rating – Sweat and water resistant design. Ideal for workouts and active lifestyles.
- Ergonomic Fit – Over-ear adjustable earpieces provide a secure, comfortable fit with noise isolation up to 37dB.
- Touch Controls – On-earpiece touch controls give convenient access to music, calls, and voice assistants.
- ShurePlus PLAY App – Unlock additional audio customization, find my buds, and other smart features via mobile app.
Overview of the Shure SE535
The SE535 are part of Shure’s Sound Isolating Earphone line – designed for detailed audio reproduction in professional monitoring applications. With multiple balanced armature drivers, they deliver precise sound across frequencies.
What to know about the SE535:
- Triple Balanced Armature Drivers – Three separate drivers handle bass, mids, and highs for accurate audio reproduction.
- Sound Isolation Design – Earpieces completely seal off the ear canal, blocking up to 37dB of ambient noise. Ideal for critical listening.
- Detachable Cables – Includes both corded cable and Bluetooth-enabled communication cable to mix wired and wireless use.
- Secure, Comfortable Fit – Get the perfect in-ear seal and fit using flexible earpieces with multiple size options. Good for extended wear.
- Accessories – Comes with cable, carry case, cleaning tool, earpiece sleeves, and adapters for compatibility with different sources.
- Audiophile Tuned – With detailed sound across the frequency curve, they excel at letting you hear every nuance when monitoring recordings or listening to music.
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Key Differences Between the Shure AONIC 5 and SE535
When it comes to high-quality in-ear monitors, Shure has been a leader in the industry. Among their offerings, the AONIC 5 and SE535 are two models that often catch the attention of audiophiles. In this article, we will delve deeper into the differences between these two earphones.
- Design
Shure AONIC 5: The AONIC 5 stands out with a sleek, contemporary design that appears more streamlined. This is a deviation from the classic ear monitor design, giving it a fresh appeal especially for those who prioritize aesthetics alongside performance.
Shure SE535: The SE535 boasts Shure’s signature ear monitor shape, which is recognizable to many audiophiles. It is designed with a focus on functionality and has been a staple for many enthusiasts and professionals for years.
- Drivers
Shure AONIC 5: The AONIC 5 employs a hybrid driver design. This combination results in a broader frequency range, particularly accentuating the bass. This might appeal to users who prefer a more dynamic sound or those who listen to genres that benefit from a bass emphasis.
Shure SE535: The SE535, on the other hand, is equipped with balanced armature drivers. These drivers are renowned for delivering a more neutral sound, with particular emphasis on the mids and highs. Such a sound profile is often favored by purists who want an accurate representation of recordings.
- Wireless Capability
Shure AONIC 5: In today’s wireless age, the AONIC 5 stands out with its Bluetooth connectivity. This feature offers users the flexibility of wireless listening, which can be particularly handy during physical activities or when on the move.
Shure SE535: The SE535 retains a wired-only design. This means no concerns about battery life or Bluetooth connection stability, but it might be less convenient for those who’ve grown accustomed to wireless freedom.
- Water Resistance
Shure AONIC 5: Equipped with an IPX4 rating, the AONIC 5 is designed to withstand sweat and minor splashes. This makes it a suitable companion for workouts, jogging, or any other activity where they might be exposed to moisture.
Shure SE535: The SE535 does not carry a specific water resistance rating. This means they might not be as durable in sweaty or wet conditions compared to the AONIC 5.
- Controls
Shure AONIC 5: One of the defining features of the AONIC 5 is its on-ear touch controls. This design choice allows users to easily navigate music, control volume, or answer calls without having to access their device directly.
Shure SE535: The SE535 doesn’t have touch controls. Typically, controls for the SE535 would depend on the type of cable or adapter used, and often would require users to access their device directly for most functions.
- Impedance
Shure AONIC 5: With an impedance of 16 ohms, the AONIC 5 is relatively easy to drive. This makes them compatible with a wide range of devices, from smartphones to portable music players, without requiring an external amplifier.
Shure SE535: The SE535 has a higher impedance at 36 ohms. While still manageable for many devices, they might benefit from an external amplifier to unlock their full potential, especially with devices that have a weaker output.
- Accessories
Shure AONIC 5: The AONIC 5, while coming with fewer accessories than the SE535, offers a charging case, various eartip options, and app connectivity. This makes it more versatile in some respects, especially for users who value the convenience of a charging case.
Shure SE535: The SE535 is known for its generous accessory package. While it lacks the charging case of the AONIC 5, it compensates with a variety of eartips, a carrying case, and sometimes even additional cables or adapters, depending on the package.
Both the Shure AONIC 5 and SE535 have their distinct advantages, catering to different user preferences and requirements. Whether it’s the contemporary design and wireless convenience of the AONIC 5 or the purist sound profile and accessory richness of the SE535, users are bound to find a fit based on their needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The SE line focuses on delivering detailed, accurate audio reproduction for professional monitoring applications. The newer AONIC series incorporates wireless connectivity and smart features while aiming to maintain the excellent Shure sound.
The Aonic 5 have an impedance rating of 16 ohms. This low impedance makes them easy to drive from portable music players or smartphones without requiring a separate amplifier.
As the model below the Aonic 5, the Aonic 4 also provide excellent wireless sound with Shure’s expertise in a slightly more affordable package. They have many of the same features like hybrid drivers, Bluetooth 5.0, and Professional Grade sound. The Aonic 5 offers incremental improvements in sound quality and noise reduction worth the extra cost for critical listening.
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Final Thoughts
With Shure’s reputation for audio excellence, you can’t go wrong with either the SE535 or AONIC 5. The SE535 have long been a choice for sound professionals and audiophiles seeking accurate audio reproduction. The AONIC 5 bring the convenience of wireless listening and a more modern design to the same excellent tuning.
For mixing and monitoring applications where wired critical listening matters most, the SE535 remain a top choice to experience music precisely as the artist intended. Those wanting wireless freedom can experience the same top-notch Shure sound in a sleeker package with the AONIC 5. Both demonstrate Shure’s commitment to incredible audio performance and are excellent choices for discerning listeners.
The SE535 and AONIC 5 both use three balanced armature drivers (two low-frequency driver and a single high frequency driver) for a premium, detailed sound signature. The SE535 is geared toward on-stage monitoring, where the triple balanced armature design provides the nuance, clarity, and separation between instruments that professional musicians and monitoring engineers need.
The AONIC 5 provides some additional features that music and technology enthusiasts will appreciate. They are available in three colors which employ a two-tone design, which is stylish on the outside half and clear on the inside half (which means you can still look at the precision engineering packed inside). Three interchangeable nozzles allow listeners to customize the sound signature for a balanced, bright, or warm sound – a feature we initially introduced in the legendary SE846 earphone and now brought into the AONIC 5.