Aune AR5000

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Aune AR5000

The AR5000 have been sent to me by Aune for me to try them out and share my opinions in this review. Aune have not made any requests and I will, as always, do my best to be as unbiased as I can.

You can find the official page for the AR5000 here: https://www.aune-store.com/en/aune-ar5000-open-ear-headphone_110208_1240/

As with all links I publish, this is a non-affiliate link.



Intro…

I have reviewed a few Aune devices in the past and I have always found that they offer a lot of quality for the price they sit at. The brand has been making DAC and amps of good quality for quite some time and they also have a set of IEMs, the Aune Jasper, that I reviewed quite some time ago and also enjoyed. The AR5000 is their first set of headphones and, as with all first ventures, it is always a risk to release something that you are not really known for.

In this case, they have opted for a 50mm dynamic driver with an MLD diaphragm, in a very nicely designed and built open back set up, that is priced at under 300€. To be honest, I did not know much about the headphones, other than having seen photos, but I was certainly interested in trying them out based on my previous experiences with Aune products.

The AR5000 are aimed at being easy to drive, with a published impedance of 28 Ohms and 108dB/Vrms (@1kHz). I think further proof of their aim to make them easy to drive is that, along with the headphones, they also sent me their dongle DAC, the Aune Yuki. The Yuki is a device that has a decent amount of power for a dongle device but is by no means the most powerful on the market and it is a long way behind a desktop setup.

I am not going to discuss the Yuki today, as that deserves a review of its own, and I am going to focus on the AR5000, which I have used with the Yuki but have also used with a combination of other source devices.

Before finally moving on to the review, I just want to mention that Aune also kindly sent along an additional balanced cable and an Aune branded headphone stand. So, with that said, let’s get on with my opinions on the AR5000.



Presentation…

The outer sleeve of the packaging shows a large image of the headphones (which I have to say do look great in photos) on a white background. Along with the make and model, we also get the basic specs listed on the back of the box.

Removing the sleeve reveals a black box, with AR5000 on the lid, which opens to reveal the user guide and the headphones sitting below in a silk covered foam cut out. There is also an accessories box that contains the 3.5mm unbalanced cable with a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter.

In general there is not a lot in the box but there isn’t usually much in a headphone box, in comparison to IEMs that is, with sets that contain many accessories being the exception rather than the norm. The only thing I do with was included is some kind of storage/transport case as these are easy to drive and, although they are not really designed to be carried around (they don’t fold or anything similar), I could see people throwing these in a backpack or something to take with them to the office, school etc. However, I do understand that at 300€, there is a limited budget to be spent on these and, as always, I like to see as much of that as possible spent on the headphones themselves and not packaging or accessories.



Build and aesthetics…

My first impression when taking them out of the box was that they are much smaller than I expected. I mean, they are not exactly tiny, they are definitely a full sized set of over ear headphones, but for some reason I had expected them to be even bigger after seeing the photos.

My second impression was that they look great. These headphones do look very good in photos but they look just as good in person. Of course aesthetics are a totally personal thing but I think they look very good. They are built from a combination of metal and plastic yet the plastic is of good quality and matches the metal to the point of only knowing it is plastic when tapping on it. This makes them quite lightweight but not too light as to feel cheap.

The headband, which is metal, features a system that Aune call “Concentric Circle”. This uses a leather style suspension strap which is attached to a sliding system that clicks into place on the sides, which is in turn, attached to the metal headband. I find the system to work well and to be comfortable even for longer periods.

The earpads are hybrid and perforated, which helps keep the ears cooler, although, as with all overear headphones, if you live where I do, the daily >40ºC (>105ºF) temperatures will still take their toll, at least they do on me

The earpads are also angled, along with the drivers inside the cups being angles, this places the sound source towards the front. I believe that this is in an attempt to mimic the sound presentation of speakers and we will see how this works out in the sound section.

The outer side of the cups have a grille with oblong openings, that has a pinkish grille with circular opening behind it. This works well for the aesthetics of the headphones and, in general, they give of a more premium look that their price point would indicate.

As far as build quality, yes there is quite a bit of plastic but everything seems to be well assembled, as with all Aune products, a seems like it should have good durability, although only time will tell.

The included 3.5mm cable is a double twist that is covered in black fabric with metal hardware to match the headphones. I have to say that I like the included cable, in fact, as far as my tastes go, I prefer the included cable to the extra 4.4mm cable that they added in extra.

The extra balanced cable is by no means bad, it is actually quite a nice cable, with a quadruple braid and nice silver hardware. The only reason I prefer the stock cable over the additional cable is because I am more of a fan of fabric covered cables than I am of those covered in a clear finish which are slightly more rubbery. Of course, this is a personal thing and either of the cables is a good option.



Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

As I said a moment ago, I had no idea what to expect from these headphones, I didn’t even know the price, which is actually my preferred way of trying things out. If I don’t know what to expect, then I can’t have any preconceived opinions. When I reviewed the Aune Jasper (the IEMs), I went into that review in basically the same circumstances, with no idea what to expect, and they turned out to have a tuning that really suited my preferences.

In the case of the AR5000, luck would have it that they are again something that matches my personal preferences as far as tuning. I will also say that, while I didn’t know what to expect from these headphones, I have still been pleasantly surprised.

The angle of the pads and the drivers does in fact place the source of the music towards the front, which does lose some of the depth towards the rear but also widens the sensation of horizontal and forward depth. This means that in binaural tracks such as “La Luna”, we lose a bit of that rear placement of the back left guitar, however, for live presentations, such as “Free Fallin’”, there is more of a sensation of being in front of a stage rather than in the center of the stage.

While I would still not say that these are as wide as something like the Arya v2, it is still a nice sensation of width and I have found a lot of liver performances, especially those that have been accompanied with video (live concerts etc.) to be very enjoyable. For example, I found watching Tiny Desk Concerts to be very enjoyable. Of course, the sound quality on YouTube is not the best but I usually enjoy the Tiny Desk stuff anyway and the AR5000 added to the enjoyment with that presentation angled from the front.

As far as the actual sound itself, as in tuning and performance in the usual ranges, let’s start off with the usual FR graph with the HD6XX as a comparison:



I use the HD6XX as a reference due to me not really having an overear reference like I do with my in ears, so I have always just leaned towards showing the HD6XX due to it being one of the mostly widely known headphones out of the ones I have.

Ok, so enough with all of that and let's get into the specifics, starting off with the subbass.

“Chameleon" comes across as clean and controlled in the subbass, with a decent amount of presence but not to the skull rumbling levels that other sets will provide. As the subbass levels are not overly boosted, it makes it easier for the drivers to balance the extreme low end with the other frequencies. This results in a calm and collected subbass that won’t satisfy the needs of those looking for the extreme low end rumble but will make those looking for a more balanced sound quite happy.

Listening to “No Sanctuary Here”, by Marian Herzog featuring Chris Jones, here we get a much better idea of the balance in the low end. Subbass and midbass is present enough to balance the track without putting the focus on that low end. The AR5000 does a good job of keeping up with faster paced electric bass guitar also, such as that in “The Room”, although it may miss a little bit of midbass warmth for those who are more interested in classic rock such as “Whole Lotta Love”, where the bass guitar is appreciated but a little “cooler” than some other presentation with a bit more midbass focus.

This keeps the midbass from getting fatiguing for me, such as in “Crazy”, although I did find that on very busy tracks, such as “The Room” I just mentioned, it can make things a little less clear in the midrange.

Acoustic instruments, guitars and basses for example, sound decent in the midrange yet I do find that there is a bit of emphasis placed on the upper mids of these instruments, with the higher notes being noticeably cleaner than the lower notes on the same instrument, such as in “Billie Jean” by The Civil wars or “Seven Nation Army” by Zella Day.

The upper midrange does a nice job of bringing vocals forwards, examples would be the two tracks I just mentioned, although it works better for some vocals more than others. Certain female vocals can be just a little too harsh in this range, such as Beth, whereas certain male vocals can just be a little too lost in the music, especially when it is a busier track, such Zack De La Rocha.

Vocals in simpler tracks, where they are the main focus, sound nice and clear, although some do feel like they could do with just a touch more warmth in the lower frequencies.

Upper ranges are not the most extended but are pleasant, without any nasty peaks or other artifacts that spoil the presentation of the music with unexpected harshness or sibilance. Some may find that they would like a little more air but I feel that Aune have played it safe in this regard and ended up with a treble that is not the most lively but is not going to be a negative for the majority of people.

Details are pretty good throughout the whole ranges although I do find that when a track gets busy, especially in the lower half of the frequency spectrum, then the AR5000 can seemingly struggle to keep up with all the details of a fast moving lower end. This is not really a complaint but it is something that I feel could be improved but the question is at what price?



Conclusion…

I feel that this first venture into the world of headphones by Aune has been a very sensible one. They have presented something that is not groundbreaking and is not going to be claimed as a “giant killer” (I hate that term!) but is a rather respectable set of headphones that come in at a very reasonable price.

Yes, there are a few things here and there that could be improved but I think what we are getting at this price point is something well worth considering for those who are looking for a decent all rounder set of headphones.

It is going to be a little expensive for those who want the lowest price they can find, it is not really going to appeal to those who are immersed in the TOTL headphone world and I think that it may be a little too tame for those who are proclaimed bass heads. However, for those that are looking for a balanced set of easy to drive headphones at a reasonable price, then the AR500 should be on the radar.

Personally, I have been left with a good sensation but that is usually the case with Aune.

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As usual, this review is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

Aune Audio is a well known audio brand from China that has been developing desktop and portable audio products such as DACs, digital transports, music players and headphone amplifiers. Their catalog also includes an earphone, the Jasper but no headphones. Well, until now because Aune Audio have finally released their first full sized headphone, the Aune AR5000.

Aune AR5000

The AR5000 features a large, 50mm open-back dynamic driver unit with an innovative structure. The multi-layer distributed (MLD) diaphragm balances rigidity and damping, further resolving the breakup issue often found in large drivers. This reduction in distortion across the entire frequency range results in high transparency and a frequency response that effortlessly extends up to 40kHz.

The newly designed acoustic suspension and airflow system enhance the linearity of diaphragm movement and balance the internal pressure and sound velocity within the transducer.

The large-tilt-angle driver panel, optimized through computer-aided design, together with the ear-cup designed with also a tilt - the bold acoustic structure enhances spatial perception. Compared to regular headphones with horizontal or slightly angled drivers, the AR5000 offer significantly improved vertical soundstage and imaging quality. The open grid design on the ear-cup shell, combined with side vents, precisely balances the diffusion of airflow at the rear of the driver, further expanding the naturalness and openness of the sound.

Non Audio stuff

The headphone features an innovative "concentric circle" wearing adjustment system that is combined with an overall lightweight design. The height adjustment system works well and allows for fine adjustments within discrete “clicks”. The headband size and its overall curvature are ergonomically designed to fit the head without exercising any excessive pressure. The inner strap of the headband is made from synthetic leather and despite not having any extra padding, it is comfortable enough with the additional benefit of staying cool.

The user replaceable ear-pads are roomy enough and made from perforated, synthetic leather that is filled with breathable acoustic slow-rebound sponge. They are designed to fully cover the ears that don't touch the tilted driver. The ear-pads get attached to the ear-cups by the means of a narrow sleeve that gets inserted into a slot. Just like the iBasso SR3. Not very practical but it doesn't matter a lot since there are no spare ear-pads for fine tuning so the user is not going to do frequent pad swaps.

The overall feeling and wearing experience of the AR5000, is that of a very comfortable and lightweight headphone that you can use for hours long.

Aune has made a considerable effort to combine sturdiness with a lightweight frame and they have succeeded because the headphone weighs 350g only and seems to be quite durable. The takeaway is that there are a lot of plastic parts that look fragile and there is a chance to lose their silver finish. However, all critical parts of the headphone are metal made. These include the upper arc of the headband, joints, the ear-cup gimbals and the outer, protective grills. The overall construction and assembly of the headphone are of high quality, it looks sturdy enough, there are no crackling noises during use but there are some parts that are a little sharp and need caution during handling. Summing things up, this is a well made headphone with a premium, yet minimalistic appearance.

The headphone comes well packed in a big and impressive cardboard box that is rather empty. The only things you get except for the headphones themselves are a plain cable and a 6.35mm adapter. No extra ear-pads, no carrying case, not even a storage pouch. The 1.5m long cable has a fabric sheathing and 3.5mm aluminum plugs so you have plenty of aftermarket options for replacing it. Aune is selling their own upgrade cable that costs $49 and is available from Amazon. For $299 someone would expect a higher quality cable with a 4.4mm plug and a single-ended adapter plus some extra accessories.

Sensitivity and associated gear

The headphones have 28Ω impedance with 108dB/mW of sensitivity so they are really easy to drive and don't need special amplification. Most portable sources and DAPs can drive them to their full potential, just make sure to use something decent because the AR5000 is very sensitive to noise. For this review I have used the Aune Yuki and S9C Pro, together with the FiiO M11 Plus ESS, to find out that the AR5000 scales well and is able to do justice to upstream gear.



Audio stuff

For their first born headphone, Aune has opted for a reference tuning with flat bass, fairly neutral mid-range with a touch of upper-mids prominence and a bit of brightness on the treble. Thus said, the AR5000 is not a sterile sounding headphone but it rather manages to combine plenty of musicality with great transparency and neutrality.

The low-end end is linear, the tuning is made for critical listening, gravitating towards tonal accuracy and precision without any kind of emphasis or further coloring. Sub-bass extension is very good, the AR5000 has the means to successfully reproduce all the low-pitched instruments of the symphonic orchestra and the lowest tones of the pipe organ while it also does well with deep synthesized bass but without doing any additional boosting. Reference neutral doesn't necessarily mean sterile or boring bass, the AR5000 has a touch of warmness and sounds natural and organic. The texture is lean but not dry, this is not the most weighty and visceral sounding headphone but it compensates with firmness, precise definition, plenty of clarity and excellent control. The bass of the Aune AR5000 is really amazing, it combines electrostatic speed with planar-magnetic layering and dynamic driver punchiness. Transition to the mids is exceptional, the clarity is really amazing, there are no signs of bleeding into the mid-range or masking of the inner bass line no matter how complex and overloaded it is. The AR5000 is absolutely fantastic for listening to classical music, Mahler's 2nd symphony opening bars never sounded so well defined and layered at this price point.

The mid-range is fairly neutral with amazing transparency and clarity. The AR5000 sounds alive and lifelike, placing some extra gravity onto the mids, offering an engaging and naturally toned listening experience. This is a headphone with intense harmonic variety while articulation and fluidity are really excellent for the category and maybe more. What is also rarely found in this price point is the exquisite fidelity of the AR5000, the headphone is like a mirror that can't hide anything. The texture is still lean but not thin or skinny, the notes are not lacking in weight and substance. The timbre is natural and realistic, instruments and voices are reproduced with lifelike tonal accuracy and great balance. The overall feeling is that of a resolving and smooth sounding mid-range that is not lacking in energy and precision.

Clarity and transparency are also the dictating rules for the treble which is mildly emphasized but not that much to become excessively bright. This is definitely a sparkling and luminous sounding headphone with plenty of energy on tap but thankfully not sharp or piercing. The word precision springs to mind when listening with the AR5000, definition and detail retrieval are excellent without magnifying too much, this is a mildly unforgiving headphone but not ruthlessly revealing. You can listen to pretty much anything and pair it with various sources but high quality recordings and less bright partners will result in a much more enjoyable listening experience. While the AR5000 is not bright and fatiguing, you can't fail to notice a slightly metallic tinge to the higher frequencies, cymbals, high-hats and some other instruments do sound slightly artificial and thin. There is a ringing effect to some extent, but it is not that bad as it might sound. Resolution and refinement are very satisfying but the AR5000 is slightly lacking in these departments when compared with other headphones like the Sennheiser HD650 or some planar magnetics, like the HIFIMAN Ananda.

Aune has made special designing efforts to make the AR5000 sound open and spacious and I can report that they have succeeded. The soundstage is not artificially enlarged or extended but it manages to stay faithful to the recording while providing plenty of openness and spaciousness. Stereo effect is solid and realistic while imaging and separation are among the best of the category. The AR5000 can handle large symphonic and choral works without breaking a sweat while providing plenty of ambient information and good height. Depth layering is rather limited though, the soundstage is more horizontal than deep so holographic illusion and grandness are quite limited. On a side note, the user must be careful during the positioning of the asymmetrical ear-pads taking care to place the thicker side at the center back of the ear, otherwise spatial effects will be limited.

Comparison with FiiO FT3

The FiiO FT3 is a similarly priced dynamic driver headphone that is available in two versions, 32Ω and 350Ω. The first one has a warmer, thicker and more casual tuning while the second one has a transparent and monitor-like character with some extra brightness. The sound signature of the Aune AR5000 is like a mixed version of both FiiO FT3 variants, not as warm and colored as the 32Ω but also not that bright and as dry sounding as the 350Ω. The Aune is also more lightweight and comfortable than the FT3 but the latter is better made, with more premium materials and comes with a generous bundle of accessories that includes two sets of ear-pads, a premium carrying case and a modular cable.

Comparison with Sennheiser HD650 & HD800S

The tuning of the Aune AR5000 reminds a lot of the Sennheiser HD650 and HD800S, actually it is closer to that of the 800S rather than the first. It has better bass extension than both of them and less emphasis on the upper mid-range than the 650 so people with sensitivity in this particular area will find the AR5000 more to their liking. The mid-range tuning of the AR5000 is almost identical to that of the HD800S but then avoids the boosted treble plateau so it sounds less bright and more naturally toned. I would dare to go as far as to say that the AR5000 is a less bright and more bassy version of the HD800S with the same kind of soundstage openness and expansiveness while it is definitely more spacious than the HD650. Thus said and leaving tuning similarities/differences aside, the AR5000 is less resolving and refined than both Sennheisers, it doesn't have the same organic character and the viscerality of the HD650, nor the magnifying glass ability and the depth layering of the HD800. But then, it is really amazing how close you can get to some departments of these two famous headphones for a mere $299.

Conclusion

Aune has confidently entered uncharted territory, skilfully navigating through the reefs to reach their goal. Their first born, the Aune AR5000 is a comfortable and well made headphone that exceeds all expectations when it comes to sound quality. With a reference - critical tuning, this a headphone that bravely departs from the beaten track to cater for the budget conscious audiophile. Value would be much better though, if it had included a better cable and a couple of accessories but this is something that I am sure that Aune are already considering for their next installment. And judging from this very successful first foray into the headphones market, their next one must be something really special.

The review sample was kindly provided free of charge.

The price of the Aune AR5000 is $299 and you can buy it from Amazon.

Aune upgrade cable is $49 and you can buy it from Amazon.

AUNE AR5000: Momentous Entry into the World of Headphones​

DISCLAIMER: The Aune AR5000 was sent to us free of charge by AUNE AUDIO, in exchange for this review. The review reflects our honest opinions as always. However, our evaluation is based on a comparison of the price of the item.

Introduction: -

As an ardent team of audiophiles, we at Aural Café traversed through various soundscapes, seeking the perfect blend of fidelity, comfort, and style when exploring headphones. Our quest recently led us to the Aune AR5000 which marks Aune Audio's entry into hi-fi headphones, promising to give an unparalleled auditory experience. After weeks of rigorous testing, we are excited to present our honest thoughts on Aune AR5000.

Before we review the Aune AR5000 as always let's first talk a bit about Aune Audio. The foundation of Aune Audio was laid down in 2004 when a few passionate audiophiles from China started the hifidiy forum (http://bbs.hifidiy.net/forum.php) in 2004. The aim of the hifidiy forum which is still running strongly was to build a technology community that allows everyone to participate and exchange experiences and ideas. Fast forward to 2012, the Aune brand was formally established as Wuhan Ao Lai Er Technology Co. Ltd. in Wuhan China by the same six die-hard audio fanatics who are also experts in various audio-related fields such as hardware design, electro-acoustic design and tuning. The logo of Aune was inspired by the concept of Yin-Yang - the Chinese philosophy of balance. The rounded design of the letters conveys a message of peace and gentleness. The openings on four sides indicate inclusiveness. We at Aural Cafe simply love such thoughtfulness in designing the brand name.

Aune Audio is primarily known in the Audiophile world for high-end desktop and portable sources but in between, they have surprised audiophiles with the launch of IEMs such as Aune Jasper and the very recently launched dongle Aune Yuki which we also have reviewed in Aural Café (https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/aune-yuki.26866/reviews#review-32771). Aune AR5000 open-back headphones lead to Aune's entry into the world of headphones. After hard work and R&D of more than 3 years, the team at Aune Audio has been successful in presenting a headphone that is not only capable of delivering a hi-fi sound using a portable source but has also given equal importance to durability at a very competitive price of 299 US$.



Specifications: -

• Driver Configuration: 50mm Dynamic Driver with MLD (Multi-Layer Distributed) Diaphragm
• Impedance: 28Ω ± 10%
• Freq Response: 5Hz-41.8Khz
• Sensitivity: 108dB/mW @1kHz
• Cable: 4-core OFC Dual 3.5mm to 3.5mm, 1.5m
• Weight: 348 gms.

Packaging & Accessories: -

• Aune AR5000 Headphones
• 4-core OFC Dual 3.5mm cable with 3.5mm Termination
• 3.5mm Female to 6.35mm Male Adapter
• Documentation

Check out the full unboxing video here,






Build & Design Concept: -

Aune AR5000 features a fully open-back structure with a dual detachable cable design along with an innovative 50mm MLD (Multi-layer Distributed) driver which helps in the reduction of distortion across the entire frequency and thus achieves a high transparency by resolving the breakup issue of large dynamic drivers-based headphones. AR5000 is not just another headphone in the already crowded market of headphones. The focus of the team at Aune Audio is visible clearly when we see the unique large-tilt-angle driver panel and the tilted earcup design which not only enhances spatial perception when compared to regular headphones with horizontal or slightly angled drivers but also significantly improves vertical soundstage and imaging and thus end up giving a very immersive experience. The open grid design on the earcup shell with side vents precisely balances the diffusion of airflow at the rear, further expanding the naturalness and openness of the sound.

The team at Aune was not satisfied with the conventional headphone band and thus the patented headband of AR5000 is designed in-house in such a way that the overall curvature of the headphone band is finely adjusted to the millimeter level, ensuring a perfect fit for any head shape and eliminating any feeling of pressure or foreign objects whereas the earcup is made of breathable acoustic slow-rebound sponge, allowing for extended listening sessions without any discomfort. We at Aural Cafe were very happy to know about the low impedance design of 28Ω in AR5000 because of which it can be easily driven by most dongles in the market. However, a higher-end source will definitely be able to extract the most out of AR5000. Aune AR5000 Comes with a solid dual 3.5mm to 3.5mm single-ended termination 4-core OFC cable covered in fabric insulation and measured at 1.5 meters in length. Each end of the connectors including the Y-splitter is made out of metal with a brushed matte finish. Plus, each side of the jacks is also indicated as ‘L’ and ‘R’ on each side of the connector. Aune was generous enough to include their recommended upgrade balanced cable for the AR5000 which is the Aune AR3 in our review set which we made use of while testing the headphones on balanced sources.



Sound Analysis: -

Credit: @kr0mka

• Tonality: - The Aune AR5000 (Where AR means Air Reference, we assumed after investigating the box) Stands true to its name and showcases a reference neutral sound signature. The overall sound signature is balanced and organic without giving too much focus to a certain part of the frequency range. The tilted earcup design helps add an immersive and engaging feel to the overall reference and near-flat sound signature.

• Lows: - The lows in Aune AR5000 are balanced and organic in nature. Following its overall reference tuning the overall bass is balanced and doesn’t overpower Mids. The AR5000 showcases beautiful mid-bass both in terms of quantity and texture, whereas the sub-bass has decent quantity but the same can’t be said about its quality. The sub-bass rolls off early and lacks texture. Following its reference tuning the team at Aune Audio has done a decent job in achieving decent thump in the mid-bass area with the help of the tilted earcup design without affecting the overall sound signature. The lows also help in achieving a giving a hint of musicality to the sound signature which is a kind of house sound of Aune Audio. While listening to Kendrick Lamar's “All the Stars” with Dethonray Pegasus SG1 Gold and AR3 Cables the mid-bass shows decent thump and texture.

• Mids: - The Mids is where the AR5000 shines brightly. The mids is balanced and is at the right spot across the frequency. The vocals especially have superb natural and organic tonality and texture. The texture especially of the male vocals is life-like and to die for. The vocals on AR5000 are superbly refined. The timbre of the instruments is natural and without any colouration and does well with most of the musical instruments except when it comes to decay on drums. The male vocals shine more than the female vocals due to the flat neutral sound signature. While the lower mids are smooth and organic. We at Aural Cafe would love to have much better control over upper mids. Listening to “Teri Deewani” by Kailash Kher on Aune M1p the male vocals have a life-like texture which is rare to find in headphones of this range as per our experience. We also enjoyed listening to Blues and Ghazals on Aune AR5000.

• Highs: - The high frequency on the AR5000 is smooth without any shoutiness. The AR5000 showcases its capability in higher frequency in a natural with a fair amount of energy when needed. Due to the open-back design, there is an ample amount of air across the higher frequency. Surprisingly micro details are rendered effortlessly and the tonality of high frequency in instruments such as cymbals, saxophones and violins is natural and smooth. This becomes quite evident while listening to “Hotel California” by Eagles on Dethonray Listening-M1. True to its reference tonality. The upper treble extension is marginally lacking but has enough spaciousness and airiness.

• Soundstage & Imaging: - The soundstage on AR5000 is cohesive in nature. It has better width than depth in comparison, all thanks to its open back design and MLD Driver which helps in keeping the tonality smooth across the frequency. We at Aural Cafe would also like to add here that the AR5000 Scales really well with high-end desktop sources. With Dethonray Listening M1, where both the soundstage and imaging improve a lot in comparison to portable sources such as Aune Yuki or Tanchjim Space. The tilted design cup once again tries its best to provide an immersive natural soundstage, but it depends on the personal taste of the audiophile if he or she is into a wide and deep soundstage or a cohesive soundstage. The imaging is above average if we compare it with the headphones in a similar price range.

• Synergy: - The Aune Audio engineers from day one were clear that their first offering into the reference series of headphones should be easy to drive. We at Aural Cafe are happy to inform you that the AR5000 can be easily driven with the help of dongles such as Aune Yuki or Hiby FC6. But to really enjoy its class-leading sound texture at best, the AR5000 matches beautifully with neutral and clean daps such as Aune M1p and Dethonray DTR1+, while the lows, soundstage and imaging improve when AR5000 is powered by high-end desktop sources such as Dethonray Listening M1 and with high-end decamps such as Dethonray Pegasus SG1 Gold in our cases.

Conclusion: -

We believe that the Aune AR5000 is kind of an emotional offering from the Aune Audio founders to their Audiophiles friends. In this span of 20 years from 2004 to 2024, Aune has come with many high-end desktop and portable sources and IEMs that still stand strong in today's world. Through AR5000 the Aune Audio team successfully achieves in offering hi-fi reference tuned headphones at a relatively pocket-friendly price. Each part of the headphones from the headband to the earcup to the Driver is designed thoughtfully to showcase solid reference tuned headphones. We just loved AR5000's life-like vocal texture, decent midbass thump and timbre for various instruments. This review would be incomplete if we didn’t add the YouTube link to the launching video of Aune AR5000 so here it is,


Non-Affiliated Link: -

• https://www.amazon.com/Aune-Full-Size-Headphones-Detachable-Audiophile/dp/B0CLPC7Q2S/
• https://www.aune-store.com/en/aune-ar5000-open-ear-headphone_110208_1240/