The Aune AR5000 review sample was kindly provided free of charge. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The price of the Aune AR5000 is €329 and you can buy it from here.
Aune AR5000 Review
Aune Audio, a renowned audio brand hailing from China, has gained recognition for its expertise in crafting desktop and portable audio devices, including DACs, digital transports, music players, and headphone amplifiers. While their product lineup already encompasses an earphone called the Jasper, it did not include any headphones. However, breaking the mold, Aune Audio has recently unveiled their inaugural full-sized headphone, the Aune AR5000.
Technical highlights
The AR5000 boasts a spacious 50mm open-back dynamic driver unit, incorporating a groundbreaking design. Its multi-layer distributed (MLD) diaphragm effectively combines rigidity and damping, effectively addressing the common problem of breakup in larger drivers. As a result, distortion is significantly reduced across the entire frequency spectrum, leading to exceptional transparency and a seamless frequency response that reaches an impressive 40kHz effortlessly. The linearity of diaphragm movement is enhanced and the internal pressure and sound velocity within the transducer are balanced by the newly designed acoustic suspension and airflow system.
The driver panel of the AR5000 features a large tilt angle, meticulously optimized using computer-aided design. Paired with the ear-cup’s unique tilt design, this bold acoustic structure greatly enhances spatial perception. Unlike standard headphones with horizontal or slightly angled drivers, the AR5000 provides a noticeably enhanced vertical soundstage and imaging quality. The open grid design on the ear-cup shell, along with side vents, effectively balances airflow diffusion at the back of the driver, resulting in a more natural and open sound experience.
Full technical specifications are available here.
Build quality
Aune has put in significant effort to blend durability with a lightweight design, achieving success as the headphone weighs only 350g and appears quite sturdy. While there are numerous plastic components that may seem fragile and prone to losing their silver finish, it is important to note that all crucial parts of the headphone are actually made of metal. These metal components include the upper arc of the headband, joints, ear-cup gimbals, and the outer protective grills. The headphone’s overall construction and assembly are of superior quality, giving it a sturdy feel with no crackling noises during use. However, there are a few sharp parts that require careful handling. In conclusion, this headphone is well-crafted with a premium, yet minimalist look.
Wearing comfort
The headphones come with a unique concentric circle adjustment system for a comfortable fit, paired with a lightweight design. The height adjustment mechanism is precise, offering incremental adjustments. The ergonomic design of the headband ensures a snug fit without causing discomfort. The inner strap, made of synthetic leather, provides a cool and comfortable experience, even without extra padding.
The user-replaceable ear cushions on the AR5000 are spacious and crafted from perforated, synthetic leather filled with breathable acoustic slow-rebound sponge. They are designed to fully envelop the ears without touching the angled driver. These ear cushions are connected to the ear cups via a slim sleeve that fits into a slot, similar to the iBasso SR3. While not the most convenient setup, the lack of spare ear-pads means that frequent replacements are unnecessary. As a result, the AR5000 offers a comfortable and lightweight wearing experience that can be enjoyed for extended periods of time.
Accessories and stock cable
The headphones are presented in a large, impressive cardboard box, but it is mostly empty aside from the headphones themselves. Included in the package are a basic cable and a 6.35mm adapter. There are no additional ear-pads, carrying case, or storage pouch provided. The 1.5m cable features a fabric sheathing and 3.5mm aluminum plugs, offering various aftermarket options for replacement. Aune offers their own upgrade cable for $49 on Amazon. Given the $299 price tag, one would anticipate a higher quality cable with a 4.4mm plug, a single-ended adapter, and additional accessories.
Power requirements
The headphones have an impedance of 28Ω and a sensitivity of 108dB/mW, making them effortless to drive without requiring dedicated amplification. They can be easily powered by most portable sources and DAPs, but it is advisable to use quality equipment as the AR5000 is highly susceptible to source noise. In my evaluation, I tested the headphones with the Aune Yuki and Aune S9c Pro, as well as the FiiO M15S, and discovered that the AR5000 performs admirably and complements higher-end gear effectively.
Listening impressions
Aune has chosen a reference tuning for their inaugural headphone, the AR5000. This tuning includes a flat bass, a mid-range that is fairly neutral with a hint of upper-mids prominence, and a touch of brightness on the treble. Despite this, the AR5000 does not produce a sterile sound. Instead, it successfully blends musicality, transparency, and neutrality, resulting in a captivating listening experience.
The low-end response is linear, tailored for critical listening with a focus on tonal accuracy and precision rather than any added emphasis or coloration. Sub-bass extension is impressive, allowing the AR5000 to faithfully reproduce the full range of low-pitched instruments in an orchestra and the deepest tones of a pipe organ. Even with deep synthesized bass, there is no artificial boosting. Despite its reference-neutral tuning, the AR5000 manages to infuse a touch of warmth, resulting in a natural and organic sound. While the texture may be lean, it is far from dry.
Although not the most weighty or visceral, this headphone makes up for it with firmness, precise definition, exceptional clarity, and superb control. The Aune AR5000’s bass performance is truly remarkable, blending electrostatic speed, planar-magnetic layering, and dynamic driver punchiness. The transition to the mids is seamless, with outstanding clarity and no bleeding or masking of the inner bass line, even in complex and dense passages. For classical music enthusiasts, the AR5000 shines, bringing out the intricate details and layers in pieces like Mahler’s 2nd symphony with unparalleled definition and depth at its price point.
More listening impressions
The mid-range of the AR5000 is characterized by its impressive transparency and clarity, making it a neutral and balanced option. It brings the music to life, adding depth and richness to the mids, resulting in an immersive and authentic listening experience. What sets the AR5000 apart in its price range is its exceptional fidelity, leaving no room for imperfections. Despite its lean texture, the headphone maintains a substantial presence, with notes that carry weight and substance. The timbre is natural and true to life, accurately reproducing instruments and vocals with great balance. Overall, the AR5000 offers a resolving and smooth mid-range that is both energetic and precise.
Clarity and transparency are integral to the treble of these headphones, striking a balance between emphasis and brightness. The sound is lively and vibrant, without being excessively sharp or piercing. Listening with the AR5000 brings to mind precision, as it delivers excellent definition and detail without exaggeration. While it may be less forgiving, it is not excessively revealing. These headphones can be paired with various sources and genres, but high-quality recordings and less bright companions will offer a more enjoyable listening experience. Although not fatiguing, the higher frequencies do have a slight metallic tinge, making certain instruments sound slightly artificial and thin. There is a subtle ringing effect, but it is not as detrimental as it may initially seem and definitely not worse than a lot of competing headphones.
The AR5000 offers satisfying resolution and refinement, though it falls slightly behind other models such as the Sennheiser HD650 or planar magnetics like the HIFIMAN Ananda in these aspects.
Speaker-like soundstage
Aune has put in significant effort to ensure that the AR5000 delivers an open and spacious sound, and I can confirm that they have been successful in this endeavor. The soundstage is not artificially expanded or stretched, yet it remains true to the original recording while offering a generous amount of airiness and roominess. The stereo effect is robust and lifelike, with exceptional imaging and separation that rank among the best in its class. The AR5000 is capable of handling large symphonic and choral pieces effortlessly, providing ample ambient detail and good height. However, the depth layering is somewhat limited, resulting in a more horizontally oriented soundstage that lacks a holographic illusion and grandeur. It is worth noting that users need to be cautious when positioning the asymmetrical ear-pads, ensuring that the thicker side is placed at the center back of the ear to avoid restricting spatial effects.
Vs the FiiO FT3 (both versions)
The FiiO FT3 comes in two versions, 32Ω and 350Ω, both priced similarly to the AR5000. The 32Ω version offers a warmer, thicker sound profile, while the 350Ω version has a more transparent, monitor-like character with added brightness. The Aune AR5000 combines elements from both FT3 variants, offering a sound signature that is not as warm as the 32Ω version, yet not as bright and dry as the 350Ω version. In terms of comfort, the Aune is lighter and more comfortable than the FT3, but the latter boasts superior build quality, premium materials, and a comprehensive accessory bundle that includes two sets of ear-pads, a high-quality carrying case, and a modular cable.
Vs the Sennheiser HD650 and HD800S
The Aune AR5000 tuning closely resembles that of the Sennheiser HD650 and HD800S, leaning more towards the latter. It boasts superior bass extension compared to both models and tones down the emphasis on the upper mid-range of the 650, making it a preferred choice for those sensitive to this frequency range. While the mid-range tuning mirrors that of the HD800S, the AR5000 steers clear of the heightened treble, resulting in a warmer and more natural sound profile.
In essence, the AR5000 can be seen as a warmer, more bassy alternative to the HD800S, offering a similar expansive soundstage that surpasses that of the HD650. Despite these similarities and differences in tuning, the AR5000 falls short in terms of resolution and refinement when compared to the Sennheisers. It lacks the organic character and depth of the HD650, as well as the intricate layering and detail retrieval of the HD800. Nevertheless, it is impressive how closely the AR5000 can rival these renowned headphones.
In the end
Aune has fearlessly ventured into unexplored territory, expertly maneuvering through the obstacles to achieve their objective. The Aune AR5000, their inaugural product, is a well-crafted and comfortable headphone that surpasses expectations in terms of audio quality. With its reference-grade tuning, this headphone boldly deviates from the norm to cater to budget-conscious audiophiles. While it could benefit from a better cable and additional accessories, I am confident that Aune is already contemplating these improvements for their next release. Given the success of their initial entry into the headphones market, their upcoming product is sure to be something truly exceptional.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2024.
+ Neutral reference
+ Exceptional bass
+ Transparency and precision
+ Crystalline clarity
+ Balanced mid-range
+ Energetic yet not harsh treble
+ Ideal for monitoring
+ Precise imaging and separation
+ Easy to drive
+ Lightweight and comfortable
+ Build quality
- Thin textures
- Treble artificiality
- Resolution and refinement
- Susceptible to source noise
- Lacks any additional accessories
- Only one average cable
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