Shure Aonic 215 True Wireless Review

May 13, 2020 1:05 pm

Shure fans have undoubtedly been waiting with great anticipation for the company to release their first true wireless IEM. With the company’s creation of the Aonic 215 True Wireless, listeners can now have the classic SE215 sound signature in true wireless form. But how does the Aonic 215 perform in terms of functionality? And how does it fare with respect to sound? Let’s take a look in this Shure Aonic 215 True Wireless Review.

Shure Aonic 215 True Wireless Review

IN the BOX

FIT

Like the SE215, the AONIC 215 TW employs the classic IEM design. That is, it has an over-ear wire and shells that fit snugly in the contours of your ear. The one difference to note, however, is that the over-ear wires are not malleable. There’s an elasticity in the thicker rubber design. I didn’t run into any issues with fit or comfort, but just know that you won’t have the same fit flexibility as you would with Shure’s wired models.

If you’ve never worn IEM style earbuds, you might have to do a little fiddling before you get the hang of it. But it’s like riding a bicycle. A few tries and it will become natural and easy.

DESIGN

Functionality

Here’s where the Aonic 215 falls a little short. You’ll only have limited control over your music using the buttons on the earpieces. The buttons allow you to play/pause, answer/decline/mute calls and activate your voice assistant. However, volume and track skipping cannot be controlled from the earpieces themselves, which in some ways, defeats the purpose of being unattached to your phone.

Although the Aonic 215 TW doesn’t offer ANC, I’m not sure that it needs it. The natural sound isolation is fantastic. And to be honest, added ANC would have just been overkill. Indeed, the natural sound isolation is so effective that Shure has even added an environment mode, which invites in outside sound to bring awareness to your surroundings.

Detachable Earpieces

Like the classic Shure IEMs, the Aonic 215 sports MMCX connectors. For those unfamiliar with the technology, this means that you can detach the earpieces from the wire. And this capability gives you added flexibility over the use of your earbuds. That is, you can use them wired if you choose, and then you’ll practically be listening to the original SE215. This design is also important in terms if longevity, as both the wire and earpieces themselves can easily be replaced if or when your earbuds eventually fail to work.

However, I was surprised to find that there was no MMCX cable included in the box. I think that for the price, Shure could have thrown in a MMCX cable as a little bonus. Bummer.

Battery Life and Charging Case

You can expect 8 hours of usage at a time, which is quite impressive when you compare it to other true wireless models in the same price range. You’ll also get another 3 charges from the charging case, giving you a total of 32 hours of playtime.

The charging case borrows its style from the classic earphone case you’ll find in Shure’s pricier IEM models. Rather than employing a box-like form, Shure has gone with a smooth and round zipper case. I dig it. And like most other true wireless models, there’s a battery level indicator on the bottom of the case.

Calls and Call Clarity

My main issue in this department is the fact that calls only come through the right earpiece. That being said, some people will enjoy the flexibility of having the left ear free to hear their surroundings.

Call clarity isn’t bad, though you can’t describe it as crystal clear and clean. There’s a slight hollowness and roundedness to the sound. And for the price, I’ve heard better.

Supported Codecs

The Aonic 215 True Wireless supports AAC, aptX and SBC. No mention of aptX HD, which guarantees low latency for Android devices.

SOUND

Anyone who is familiar with the SE215 will be pleased to know that the sound signature remains the same. But for those who are new to the sound signature, let’s explore some of its characteristics.

Low Frequencies

The 215 is famous for its thick and juicy bass. Listening to rock and pop-rock tracks you’ll hear tons of warmth, while pop music reveals generous bass oomph. Just don’t expect an immaculately clean and precise sound in the lower half of the frequency range (though the separation isn’t bad). Rather, there’s a rich and luscious feel to the sound that penetrates the entire mix.

Middle Frequencies

There’s a lushness in this range. Full-bodied and expansive, the midrange adds to the altogether meaty profile of the lowest frequencies. The Anoic 215 is also an easy listen, as the upper midrange avoids any artificial emphasis. You won’t hear any harshness in vocals or electric guitars, for example. In terms of detail, listening to string instruments in this range, there was less texture or substance than there was smoothness. So, obviously, these earbuds aren’t for critical listening. Still if you’re looking for a very warm and satiating listening experience, the SE215 will certainly deliver.

High Frequencies

Again, these earbuds are easy on the ears. And as such, the high frequencies avoid any uncomfortable extension or brightness. If you’ve ever listened to a Miles Davis track, you may have noticed that the highest peaks of the trumpet notes can pierce your ears out. But you shouldn’t run into this problem with the SE215. That being said, listeners who like a more sparkle and crispness in their mix may want to opt for a brighter sound profile, as the 215’s sound signature leans on the darker, heavier side.

Soundstage

The SE215 provides quite a grand soundstage for an IEM and it offers plenty of dimension as well. Instrument placement feels precise, and you’ll get plenty of height and depth, creating a very colorful soundscape for true wireless in-ear model.

PROS and CONS

Pros: Rich and full bodied, easy listening sound signature; long battery life; detachable MMCX connectors.

Cons: Lacking in button functionality; calls only audible from right earphone; no MMCX cable included in the box.

SUMMARY

The Aonic 215 True Wireless is not designed for consumers who want utmost functionality. And many will find the inability to control volume or skip tracks from the earpieces frustrating. That being said, the battery life beats a lot of the competition. And if you’re a fan of the Shure sound signature and simply want your SE215’s in true wireless form, the Aonic 215 will certainly deliver.