My review of the Aune AR5000
Introduction
The AR5000 is Aune's first entry into the headphone market and they got hyped up along with the Fiio FT1 for having a pretty refined tuning for the price. That said, imo they've dropped off the radar a bit more quickly than the FT1. My pair have gotten enough headtime now for me to have some solid thoughts on them, so I wanted to share those with you guys today. I'll talk about the build, the sound, and some comparisons to competitors and other headphones.
Build and Accessories
The packaging for these are just okay. The headphones come in a box with some satin-like fabric. But other than that, everything else is pretty barebones. You've got the headphones, cable, connection adapters, paperwork, and that's it.
While these are supposedly a similar weight to the Hifiman Sundara, they feel lighter in the hand. Maybe because they have more plastic in the build or the weight is more evenly distributed across the headphone. But the plastic parts don't feel cheap or flimsy, they have a nice finish on them that seems like metal at times.
There is a very "solid" feeling to these headphones, you don't get any excessive creaking or looseness in the parts. With something like Hifiman, even though it's all metal, there are parts that feel unrefined like the yokes scratching their own paint off and the rough, stiff texture of the headband. As another example, the OG HarmonicDyne Zeus looks very nice, but it feels unrefined in-person. The metal pattern has sharp edges and the headband adjustment doesn't feel smooth. I don't get anything like that with the AR5000 and that's quite surprising because it's common to have little annoying design issues even up to stuff like the Fostex TH-900.
Comfort-wise, these are great. Again, they're pretty light and the weight is distributed well, so I don't feel any obvious hotspots or areas of discomfort. They have a moderate clamp force that I appreciate because it means they don't slip off just by turning your head. But it's not as strong as something like the Sennheiser HD600 series' vice-grip clamp. They also have some lateral swivel, which lets the cups conform better to your head shape.
The cable is fabric, braided, and simple, but works well without tangling much. They're not too thick or stiff and have a good length. The earpads are comfortable, fit well even with my larger ears, and they're easy to source and replace, being $20 on Amazon. That said, the material for both items are a bit scratchy and cheap-feeling.
These are also pretty easy to power, I can drive them off my phone no problem.
Overall, the AR5000's build choices are surprisingly good. Not just for its price, but among headphones in general. It's actually more common than not for headphones to have glaring design issues like cramped fits, painful headbands, uncomfortably heavy weight, obvious stress points, pricey earpad replacements, etc. So something like the Aune AR5000's build is very refreshing to see.
Sound Impressions
A lot of people have said that the AR5000 have a very mature sound to them and I wholeheartedly agree. I would say its overall tonality is neutral-warm, leaning a little more towards the bass than the Sennheiser HD6XX.
It extends well into the low bass for an open-back dynamic and actually has decent impact and rumble to it. The midrange is fantastic and natural-sounding. The treble is where people might have issues, it's pulled back somewhat in that area to my ears. Not enough for me to call it dark, but I would say it's relaxed. So you won't get as much clarity into that last layer of details, but it does also make for a smoother listen. As a result, I wouldn't say it's incredibly resolving, but the AR5000 fares similarly to competitors like the Hifiman Sundara and Harmonicdyne Zeus.
The sound presentation is where things get interesting. For reference, I never really experience hearing the band in front of me. It's always behind me, as if I'm in the position of the mic on the stage. But I can still get a sense of how forward sounds are; if something is really pushed up close in the mix then it's pretty much right against my forehead.
The AR5000 changes it up a bit. I don't know if it's because of the angled drivers, but it feels like I'm in-between the vocalists and the instrument players now. Because of that, vocals really pop on the AR5000 and they take the spotlight anytime they're present in a song. The soundstage is just a bit above average imo, but there is enough spaciousness to it that everything has room to breathe. It's just not quite how I expect because the instruments are all behind me rather than being spaced out more evenly on the stage.
I have to say that this presentation feels somewhat unique. Something like the Sennheiser HD800S or the Hifiman Edition XS have a more "complete" and filled-in soundstage presentation, where it feels like I'm immersed and surrounded by the sounds. In a way, sounds in the AR5000 also "surround" me, but vocals always remain front-and-center. So while the soundstage isn't as seamless as on the other headphones, the AR5000 manages to have this vocal intimacy that the those headphones lack.
When it comes to gaming, while the positional cues are pretty good, I personally find that relaxed treble to be a bit of a downside for more competitive stuff. Things like gunshots and footsteps are a bit blunted and harder to make out, explosions can be a little boomy. But I find it very good for cinematic gaming and movies because of that unique soundstage presentation and the bass extension.
Comparisons
Sennheiser HD6XX With the AR5000 being more mids-focused, the obvious comparison is to the Sennheiser HD600 series. And though the AR5000 comes a lot closer than other headphones, the HD6XX still remains the king of mids due to how natural and resolving its midrange sounds.
I think mainly due to the more relaxed treble of the AR5000, it doesn't quite have the clarity and fine detail that the HD6XX is able to pull out of vocals and instruments. This also makes the tonality of the AR5000 a bit "heavier" sounding. Those who found the HD6XX to sound veiled will probably also find the AR5000 a bit muffled and congested at times.
Where the AR5000 comes back though is with that unique sound presentation. While the HD6XX has great layering to my ears, the soundstage isn't very wide and spacious. The AR5000 has a larger soundstage, but maintains the vocal intimacy that the HD6XX has.
The bass response is also better on the AR5000. The sense of impact is punchier and it extends better into the subbass regions and actually has some rumble. I find the AR5000 to work better with music like EDM than the HD6XX as a result.
In terms of comfort, I find the HD6XX to be a little bit more comfortable due to how light it is. However, its clamp force is noticeably tighter than the AR5000.
Hifiman Ananda I find the Hifiman Ananda to sound pretty similar to the Edition XS and the Sundara (minus the spaciousness effect), so I think the broad strokes here can apply to those headphones as well. The main differences between the Ananda and the AR5000 are the soundstage presentation and the brighter tonality.
The Ananda has a larger, more spacious soundstage that does a better job at making me feel "immersed" in the music. The imaging also seems to be more precise. The brighter tilt in the tonality means the Ananda sounds leaner, but offers a lot more clarity and sense of detail. The Ananda also extends well into the bass, but doesn't quite have the impact or "slam" of the AR5000.
The AR5000 has a much more natural-sounding midrange. However, the Ananda's treble is a good step above the AR5000's. I feel the Ananda has some of the best treble outside of something like STAX. It has a refined balance that's clear and clean without becoming aggressive or sharp. In particular, instruments like strings and woodwinds have a very pleasing, sweet tone to them and feel more "alive". In comparison the AR5000's treble, while inoffensive, sounds muted and lacking.
Comfort-wise, the AR5000 beats the Ananda for me. While the Ananda has large and comfortable earpads, I do get some pressure on my jaw due to the lack of swivel. And the suspension strap is a stiff pleather that creates a hotspot in the center of my head. The AR5000 feels more solid (despite having more plastic) and distributes weight better (despite being lighter).
ZMF Auteur Like the HD6XX, the Auteur fares better in the treble than the AR5000. It extends well and has a careful balance that keeps clarity while still retaining smoothness. I think the general tonality is similar between the two headphones, but like the HD6XX, the Auteur sounds a bit more natural to my ears due to the treble.
Resolution-wise, the Auteur performs noticeably better, not sounding quite as smeared in the finer details. However, the difference isn't as big as you'd expect from the price. I feel at this price bracket, you're paying for that last 10% that comparable headphones at a lower price don't quite reach.
While better than the bass of the HD6XX, the Auteur's bass doesn't seem as extended as the AR5000's. It's more like a conventional open-back, fairly linear up until the subbass where it rolls off. Both have a similar level of impact and thump, but the Auteur's bass sounds more textured and defined while the AR5000's is a bit fuller sounding.
Soundstage-wise, the Auteur has a more conventional presentation. It's not as big or spacious-sounding as the Ananda, but I feel it's larger than the AR5000 and has plenty of room to breathe. The imaging is also quite precise, sounds are spaced out to take full advantage of the space. While the AR5000 maintains intimacy by making vocals really pop out, the Auteur just kind of keeps the general stage closer. Either way, both approaches do well in highlighting vocals without making it feel overly closed-in or claustrophobic.
In terms of comfort, the AR5000 wins just by being lighter and having a firmer clamp force that keeps the headphones from slipping around. That said, the Auteurs distribute weight very well and are surprisingly comfortable despite how heavy they are. Build-wise, they feel more solid than the AR5000 and the wood cups are of course, absolutely gorgeous.
Audio Technica ATH-R70x I don't have this headphone anymore, so take this comparison with a grain of salt. But I had to mention it just because the R70x is probably the closest competitor in terms of price and tonality.
Tonality-wise, they are very close from memory. The R70x extends better into the treble, but not quite as well in the bass. Supposedly, the R70x Refine version (Apos collab) has better bass extension and sounds a bit warmer than the stock R70x. To me, that more or less describes how I hear the AR5000's tonality, so I feel like the AR5000 would be a good alternative to the limited-run Refine.
Sound presentation-wise, it's pretty similar to the Auteur from what I remember. I actually see the Auteur more as a supercharged version of the R70x than the Sennheiser HD600 series.
If your ears fit into the stock pads, the R70x is probably the king of comfort. It is shockingly light and as light as the AR5000 is, it just can't compare to how the R70x disappears on the head. However, I do feel the more conventional build of the AR5000 will fit a wider variety of head and ear sizes. For me personally, the AR5000 is a better fit for my head and ears.
Conclusion
Overall, I'm very impressed by the Aune AR5000. It feels like an honest headphone through and through. The build is solid, the price is competitive, and the sound has been refined quite well. It feels like a headphone made by people who actually enjoy listening to headphones.
While other competitors like the Edition XS do certain things better than the AR5000, the AR5000 excels at being an all-rounder, both in sound and build. It's one of the few headphones that I would recommend as a blind buy to people. I think the relaxed treble is really the only place where people could be divided.
That said, if shopping between competitors, I think the Aune AR5000 will be the best match for people who found the Sundara to be a bit too bright and clinical, the HD600 series to be too closed-in, or wanted a warmer version of the R70x.
Introduction
The AR5000 is Aune's first entry into the headphone market and they got hyped up along with the Fiio FT1 for having a pretty refined tuning for the price. That said, imo they've dropped off the radar a bit more quickly than the FT1. My pair have gotten enough headtime now for me to have some solid thoughts on them, so I wanted to share those with you guys today. I'll talk about the build, the sound, and some comparisons to competitors and other headphones.
Build and Accessories
The packaging for these are just okay. The headphones come in a box with some satin-like fabric. But other than that, everything else is pretty barebones. You've got the headphones, cable, connection adapters, paperwork, and that's it.
While these are supposedly a similar weight to the Hifiman Sundara, they feel lighter in the hand. Maybe because they have more plastic in the build or the weight is more evenly distributed across the headphone. But the plastic parts don't feel cheap or flimsy, they have a nice finish on them that seems like metal at times.
There is a very "solid" feeling to these headphones, you don't get any excessive creaking or looseness in the parts. With something like Hifiman, even though it's all metal, there are parts that feel unrefined like the yokes scratching their own paint off and the rough, stiff texture of the headband. As another example, the OG HarmonicDyne Zeus looks very nice, but it feels unrefined in-person. The metal pattern has sharp edges and the headband adjustment doesn't feel smooth. I don't get anything like that with the AR5000 and that's quite surprising because it's common to have little annoying design issues even up to stuff like the Fostex TH-900.
Comfort-wise, these are great. Again, they're pretty light and the weight is distributed well, so I don't feel any obvious hotspots or areas of discomfort. They have a moderate clamp force that I appreciate because it means they don't slip off just by turning your head. But it's not as strong as something like the Sennheiser HD600 series' vice-grip clamp. They also have some lateral swivel, which lets the cups conform better to your head shape.
The cable is fabric, braided, and simple, but works well without tangling much. They're not too thick or stiff and have a good length. The earpads are comfortable, fit well even with my larger ears, and they're easy to source and replace, being $20 on Amazon. That said, the material for both items are a bit scratchy and cheap-feeling.
These are also pretty easy to power, I can drive them off my phone no problem.
Overall, the AR5000's build choices are surprisingly good. Not just for its price, but among headphones in general. It's actually more common than not for headphones to have glaring design issues like cramped fits, painful headbands, uncomfortably heavy weight, obvious stress points, pricey earpad replacements, etc. So something like the Aune AR5000's build is very refreshing to see.
Sound Impressions
A lot of people have said that the AR5000 have a very mature sound to them and I wholeheartedly agree. I would say its overall tonality is neutral-warm, leaning a little more towards the bass than the Sennheiser HD6XX.
It extends well into the low bass for an open-back dynamic and actually has decent impact and rumble to it. The midrange is fantastic and natural-sounding. The treble is where people might have issues, it's pulled back somewhat in that area to my ears. Not enough for me to call it dark, but I would say it's relaxed. So you won't get as much clarity into that last layer of details, but it does also make for a smoother listen. As a result, I wouldn't say it's incredibly resolving, but the AR5000 fares similarly to competitors like the Hifiman Sundara and Harmonicdyne Zeus.
The sound presentation is where things get interesting. For reference, I never really experience hearing the band in front of me. It's always behind me, as if I'm in the position of the mic on the stage. But I can still get a sense of how forward sounds are; if something is really pushed up close in the mix then it's pretty much right against my forehead.
The AR5000 changes it up a bit. I don't know if it's because of the angled drivers, but it feels like I'm in-between the vocalists and the instrument players now. Because of that, vocals really pop on the AR5000 and they take the spotlight anytime they're present in a song. The soundstage is just a bit above average imo, but there is enough spaciousness to it that everything has room to breathe. It's just not quite how I expect because the instruments are all behind me rather than being spaced out more evenly on the stage.
I have to say that this presentation feels somewhat unique. Something like the Sennheiser HD800S or the Hifiman Edition XS have a more "complete" and filled-in soundstage presentation, where it feels like I'm immersed and surrounded by the sounds. In a way, sounds in the AR5000 also "surround" me, but vocals always remain front-and-center. So while the soundstage isn't as seamless as on the other headphones, the AR5000 manages to have this vocal intimacy that the those headphones lack.
When it comes to gaming, while the positional cues are pretty good, I personally find that relaxed treble to be a bit of a downside for more competitive stuff. Things like gunshots and footsteps are a bit blunted and harder to make out, explosions can be a little boomy. But I find it very good for cinematic gaming and movies because of that unique soundstage presentation and the bass extension.
Comparisons
Sennheiser HD6XX With the AR5000 being more mids-focused, the obvious comparison is to the Sennheiser HD600 series. And though the AR5000 comes a lot closer than other headphones, the HD6XX still remains the king of mids due to how natural and resolving its midrange sounds.
I think mainly due to the more relaxed treble of the AR5000, it doesn't quite have the clarity and fine detail that the HD6XX is able to pull out of vocals and instruments. This also makes the tonality of the AR5000 a bit "heavier" sounding. Those who found the HD6XX to sound veiled will probably also find the AR5000 a bit muffled and congested at times.
Where the AR5000 comes back though is with that unique sound presentation. While the HD6XX has great layering to my ears, the soundstage isn't very wide and spacious. The AR5000 has a larger soundstage, but maintains the vocal intimacy that the HD6XX has.
The bass response is also better on the AR5000. The sense of impact is punchier and it extends better into the subbass regions and actually has some rumble. I find the AR5000 to work better with music like EDM than the HD6XX as a result.
In terms of comfort, I find the HD6XX to be a little bit more comfortable due to how light it is. However, its clamp force is noticeably tighter than the AR5000.
Hifiman Ananda I find the Hifiman Ananda to sound pretty similar to the Edition XS and the Sundara (minus the spaciousness effect), so I think the broad strokes here can apply to those headphones as well. The main differences between the Ananda and the AR5000 are the soundstage presentation and the brighter tonality.
The Ananda has a larger, more spacious soundstage that does a better job at making me feel "immersed" in the music. The imaging also seems to be more precise. The brighter tilt in the tonality means the Ananda sounds leaner, but offers a lot more clarity and sense of detail. The Ananda also extends well into the bass, but doesn't quite have the impact or "slam" of the AR5000.
The AR5000 has a much more natural-sounding midrange. However, the Ananda's treble is a good step above the AR5000's. I feel the Ananda has some of the best treble outside of something like STAX. It has a refined balance that's clear and clean without becoming aggressive or sharp. In particular, instruments like strings and woodwinds have a very pleasing, sweet tone to them and feel more "alive". In comparison the AR5000's treble, while inoffensive, sounds muted and lacking.
Comfort-wise, the AR5000 beats the Ananda for me. While the Ananda has large and comfortable earpads, I do get some pressure on my jaw due to the lack of swivel. And the suspension strap is a stiff pleather that creates a hotspot in the center of my head. The AR5000 feels more solid (despite having more plastic) and distributes weight better (despite being lighter).
ZMF Auteur Like the HD6XX, the Auteur fares better in the treble than the AR5000. It extends well and has a careful balance that keeps clarity while still retaining smoothness. I think the general tonality is similar between the two headphones, but like the HD6XX, the Auteur sounds a bit more natural to my ears due to the treble.
Resolution-wise, the Auteur performs noticeably better, not sounding quite as smeared in the finer details. However, the difference isn't as big as you'd expect from the price. I feel at this price bracket, you're paying for that last 10% that comparable headphones at a lower price don't quite reach.
While better than the bass of the HD6XX, the Auteur's bass doesn't seem as extended as the AR5000's. It's more like a conventional open-back, fairly linear up until the subbass where it rolls off. Both have a similar level of impact and thump, but the Auteur's bass sounds more textured and defined while the AR5000's is a bit fuller sounding.
Soundstage-wise, the Auteur has a more conventional presentation. It's not as big or spacious-sounding as the Ananda, but I feel it's larger than the AR5000 and has plenty of room to breathe. The imaging is also quite precise, sounds are spaced out to take full advantage of the space. While the AR5000 maintains intimacy by making vocals really pop out, the Auteur just kind of keeps the general stage closer. Either way, both approaches do well in highlighting vocals without making it feel overly closed-in or claustrophobic.
In terms of comfort, the AR5000 wins just by being lighter and having a firmer clamp force that keeps the headphones from slipping around. That said, the Auteurs distribute weight very well and are surprisingly comfortable despite how heavy they are. Build-wise, they feel more solid than the AR5000 and the wood cups are of course, absolutely gorgeous.
Audio Technica ATH-R70x I don't have this headphone anymore, so take this comparison with a grain of salt. But I had to mention it just because the R70x is probably the closest competitor in terms of price and tonality.
Tonality-wise, they are very close from memory. The R70x extends better into the treble, but not quite as well in the bass. Supposedly, the R70x Refine version (Apos collab) has better bass extension and sounds a bit warmer than the stock R70x. To me, that more or less describes how I hear the AR5000's tonality, so I feel like the AR5000 would be a good alternative to the limited-run Refine.
Sound presentation-wise, it's pretty similar to the Auteur from what I remember. I actually see the Auteur more as a supercharged version of the R70x than the Sennheiser HD600 series.
If your ears fit into the stock pads, the R70x is probably the king of comfort. It is shockingly light and as light as the AR5000 is, it just can't compare to how the R70x disappears on the head. However, I do feel the more conventional build of the AR5000 will fit a wider variety of head and ear sizes. For me personally, the AR5000 is a better fit for my head and ears.
Conclusion
Overall, I'm very impressed by the Aune AR5000. It feels like an honest headphone through and through. The build is solid, the price is competitive, and the sound has been refined quite well. It feels like a headphone made by people who actually enjoy listening to headphones.
While other competitors like the Edition XS do certain things better than the AR5000, the AR5000 excels at being an all-rounder, both in sound and build. It's one of the few headphones that I would recommend as a blind buy to people. I think the relaxed treble is really the only place where people could be divided.
That said, if shopping between competitors, I think the Aune AR5000 will be the best match for people who found the Sundara to be a bit too bright and clinical, the HD600 series to be too closed-in, or wanted a warmer version of the R70x.