Friday, November 5th 2021

Introducing Aonic Free: Shure's First True Wireless Earphones

Shure is unveiling the latest addition to its AONIC listening portfolio—AONIC FREE True Wireless Sound Isolating Earphones. Following up on the heels of the launch of AONIC 215 GEN 2, the AONIC FREE earphones introduce a new hook-free, pocketable design and unite it with the same unmatched studio quality sound that artists, audiophiles, commuters, technophiles, and music lovers have relied on from Shure's AONIC line. AONIC FREE boasts top-notch call performance in a sleek, lightweight, and compact design with long-lasting battery life, meaning these earphones are ready for an on-the-go lifestyle and the adventure that lies ahead.

Engineered from decades of experience supporting legendary performers, AONIC FREE provides clear, studio-quality sound with deep bass. This class-leading sound is powered by a premium amplifier and driver combination that was rigorously tested and tuned together—providing an unparalleled listening experience tailored to user preferences. In a world where personalization is expected, listeners can express their musical identity by customizing their audio experience with the ShurePlus Play app's custom multi-band EQ and pre-sets.
Whether commuting to work or tuning out the drone of an airplane engine as you get ready to take off, exceptional Sound Isolation Technology is incorporated, blocking out most environmental noise. To hear immediate surroundings, Environmental Mode activates exterior microphones with just the press of a button—now users can hear traffic while traversing a busy city.

"Today's consumers are moving faster than ever and want a listening experience that is hassle-free and comfortable without sacrificing sound quality," said Ellen Mahon, Senior Manager, Global MCA Marketing, at Shure. "As we developed AONIC Free, we set out to create an earphone that contained Shure's industry-leading audio and mic performance, durability, and reliability while providing the ease and convenience that makes true wireless earphones so popular. Features such as extended battery life, stereo calls, and customizable EQ with the ShurePlus Play app ensure that these earphones can deliver what our customers demand."

Notable key features and benefits include:
  • Sound Isolation Technology—Based on in-ear monitors worn by musicians for hours at a time on stage, AONIC FREE's combination of a foam sleeve and an ergonomically angled design comfortably blocks up to 37dB while providing a distortion-free, secure fit for use all day long.
  • Long-Lasting Battery Life—With 21 total hours of playback, your epic playlist has met its match. The earbuds provide seven hours of listening with two full additional charges from the pocket friendly carrying case. A fast charge feature provides one hour of playback after only 15 minutes in the case. The case's form factor was designed to transport easily, so users will never be without a charge.
  • Crystal Clear Call Audio—AONIC FREE makes it easy to navigate calls no matter the circumstance. With strategically placed mics with beamforming DSP that intelligently picks up just your voice, Autogain Control that reduces the volume of outside noise while on a call, and noise suppression technology that blocks wind noise, your voice is heard- not the surrounding environment.
  • Optimal Usability—Users have the freedom to customize volume, playback, and call control with a single press on either the left or right earbud. Button function can also be customized in the ShurePlus Play App.
  • Customizable EQ—When paired with the free ShurePlus PLAY App, listeners can personalize Environment Mode levels. Available for iOS and Android, the app is also a full-featured music player with EQ, supporting standard and hi-res music files. In addition to the feature controls, it lets users customize tone and voice prompts for important notifications, like power on/off, connection confirmation, and low battery.
AONIC FREE features Bluetooth 5 and supports multiple audio codecs, including aptX, AAC, and SBC. Shure's True Wireless Sound Isolating Earphones, AONIC FREE, are now available in Graphite Grey and retail for $199 USD. Purchase includes the earphones, a fit kit with Comply foam sleeves in S/M/L, pocketable charging case, and USB-C charging cable.

Source: Shure
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13 Comments on Introducing Aonic Free: Shure's First True Wireless Earphones

#1
RyzenMaster.sys
I would have fairly high hopes for th we given the brand name. Will be interested to see some reviews to see how they sound.

At least Shure hasn't yet gone the way of AKG getting diluted by Samsung slapping their name on cheap and poor sounding products like the Samsung "beans" wireless buds, so that gives me hope.
Posted on Reply
#2
GreiverBlade
i love shure for sure ... (punintended(tm)) but i hate them for using "long lasting battery" with a mere total of 21hrs, i get ~32hrs from my Liberty 2 Pro and my backup, a Hecate Gm5 by Edifier (yes, my backup has the "comma shape" i hate so much from Apple but i am not psychorigid, and given their price of ~60$ it can be forgiven) has ~40hrs ( advertised and i get them, i rarely have to charge either even using them 2hrs a day for almost 2 weeks and 6 days, aka: "almost 3 weeks" for the Gm5, a little less for the L2P)

on other feature they nail it, comply-foam ear tips include, AptX, ANC (kinda hate Soundcore for going LDAC way just for Hi-Fi logo with the L3P and the updated L2P version ... it lowers battery life and, for me, no substantial gain... the L2P upgraded loose AptX and get LDAC and loose 6hrs total battery but that would still be 5hrs more than Aonic's )

price wise well it's 50 higher than the L2P and 140 more than the Gm5, that make ANC costly,
customizable EQ? aren't they all doing that (with more for the L2P with the HearID EQ customization based of a hearing test ), BT5? hum 5.2 for the Gm5 5.0 for L2P (but well the Liberty 3 Pro are also out and smaller )
not sure the pictures on their site are real one but they look quite bigger than the L2P or the Sony wm-1000xm3

and no mention on the driver, but i suspect a single DD (i became fond of the DD+BA of the L2P ) although knowing Shure, the sound will be good no matter what but price for price, given that the L3P is similarly priced, i would test them side by side before choosing (if i needed replacement) although 199$ is a correct pricing.

dunno, that release feel a bit lacking given the concurrent in the market (Sony and Soundcore offer mainly)
Posted on Reply
#4
randomUser
Why do they cost so much if they are free?
Posted on Reply
#5
1freedude
randomUserWhy do they cost so much if they are free?
Shurely, you're not serious?
Posted on Reply
#6
Caring1
randomUserWhy do they cost so much if they are free?
You read that wrong, they are free of Aonics. :roll:
Not a one to be found.
Posted on Reply
#7
GreiverBlade
Caring1You read that wrong, they are free of Aonics. :roll:
Not a one to be found.
and here i was Shure of the name being a typo ... you know fat finger S and A .... Aonic.... Sonic... (ANC PNC and all ... noise being sonic ... would make sense to be Sonic Free)

but it is Aonic then, although they are free of it ... :laugh:
Posted on Reply
#8
1freedude
GreiverBladeand here i was Shure of the name being a typo ... you know fat finger S and A .... Aonic.... Sonic... (ANC and all ... noise being sonic ... would make sense to be Sonic Free)

but it is Aonic then, although they are free of it ... :laugh:
Thing is, I didnt see anything about ANC.
Posted on Reply
#9
Vayra86
Wireless earbuds... I can't stop thinking they're a solution to a problem I never had. And it adds new problems such as battery to boot...
Posted on Reply
#10
GreiverBlade
1freedudeThing is, I didnt see anything about ANC.
oh wait ... i mixed up with the Liberty 3 Pro and the Sony wm-1000xm3 ... ROFL (or maybe i got deceived by their website martketing!!!! EVIL! even for Shure.)

i reread and yeah no ANC ... well i revise my first post, if no ANC they are just as good as the Liberty 2 Pro (updated or not) and if they are not hybrid DD+BA .... no matter how good and renown Shure is in the sector... 199$ is 49$ too high, at this price i rather take a Jabra Elite 7 Pro for 0.99$ more and ANC or a 179.95$ CX Plus True Wireless from Sennheiser (although my choice would be more a Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro for the DD+BA setup )

checking their website...
yeah, fancy name for a PNC (passive noise cancelling like the L2P)
"Sound Isolating™ technology: naturally blocks out noise and eliminates distractions."
well, now i know why the typo ... ahah

also sleek hum ... as i mentioned, they look bulky and the case is less pocketable than the L2P (which is quite a shame, since they have 11hrs total play less )
Vayra86Wireless earbuds... I can't stop thinking they're a solution to a problem I never had. And it adds new problems such as battery to boot...
well, for battery, my two last sets corrected that a bit (not completely) having to charge mine only 1 time a month is not that much of a hassle, although i still enjoy my Fiio FA1 wired from time to time
Posted on Reply
#11
bug
Vayra86Wireless earbuds... I can't stop thinking they're a solution to a problem I never had. And it adds new problems such as battery to boot...
They have their uses.
They let me stand up and walk around during long meetings (now that I'm remote and nobody sees me). And they're so easy to carry around. Together with the case they larger than wired in-ears, but not having to worry about an entangled cable is so nice...
Battery life is also a non-issue, I don't know anyone that would wear these for 6+ hours at a time, let alone listen to something continuously for that long. You'd think they'd dry up after a few sessions, but the case does a pretty good job of keeping them going from one day to another.
Posted on Reply
#12
1freedude
I used to work a twelve hour shift, with 'buds in my ears the entire time. Only took them out while eating. Library card and audiobooks....

My bluetooth earphones adapter could charge while playing, so a single cell power bank kept it going.
@bug
Posted on Reply
#13
_larry
Since Techpowerup has been doing a lot of ear monitors/ear buds lately.. YOU GUYS NEED TO DO A REVIEW ON THESE!!

Shure is one of the biggest names in microphones and other various sound equipment for those who do not know.. I am REAL interested how these stack up compared to other wireless ear buds on the market..
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