Over Ear Headphone Shareme 4.1 Bluetooth Foldable Headsets with Built-in Microphone,Ergonomic Design Wireless Headphone with Volume Control for Sports

 
 
Only a few months after the ShareMe Pro went on sale, Mixcder, the Shenzhen based Chinese acoustic company released another set of headphones called the Mixcder ShareMe 5, a new addition to its popular ShareMe headphones line.
 
I am a little confused with Mixcder’s product naming, though. The first product of the ShareMe series was named the ShareMe 7, but the newest edition has a name of ShareMe 5. Since I know Mixcder’s products very well, I know which one I should pick, but for average consumers who know little about the Chinese brand, those names might be misleading.
 
Anyway, does the ShareMe 5 offer any improvements over last year’s ShareMe 7, and how does it compare to the ShareMe Pro? We will try to answer those questions in this review.
 
 
Main specs of the Mixcder ShareMe 5
 
Type: Over-the-ear headphones
Color: Gloss black
Driver Size: 40 mm
Transducer Type: Dynamic
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz
Impedance: 32 Ohms
Sensitivity: 95±3db
Bluetooth Profiles Supported: HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP
Operating Range: 33 feet (10 m)
 
 
Retail package
 

 
 
Just like the other ShareMe headphones released before, the Mixcder ShareMe 5 come with a very simple retail package and only a few accessories. You will find a charging cable and an Aux cable inside the box. Since a dedicated wall charger is absent, users will have to use their smartphone chargers, computers, or other devices with a USB output to charge these headphones.
 
 
Design and build
 

 
The first impression I had on the ShareMe 5 is: finally, there are premium-looking headphones from Mixcder! The ShareMe Pro, which were released earlier this year, might be a huge leap from the original ShareMe 7 in terms of design and overall build quality, but the all-plastic build still didn’t give them a high-end feel. Mixcder took a very different approach with the ShareMe 5 so that they don’t look like any of the previous models.
 

 
The ShareMe 5 headphones are particularly refined. From the aluminum backing of the earcups and the solid brackets that hold them in place, to the clean lines and thick ear pads, it is obvious Mixcder has taken measured steps to offer the users both style and functionality.
 

 
All physical controls are hosted on the edge of the left earcup. You will find a Power Button and a Volume Rocker, both are pretty easy to locate. The right earcup plays host to a Micro USB charging port, an LED indicator and a 3.5mm audio jack.
 

 
Like most over the ear headphones, the ShareMe 5 can be folded for better portability. The mechanism is quite similar to what we have seen on the original ShareMe 7. But unfortunately, like their predecessors, the ShareMe 5 do not come with a carrying case.
 

 

 
The overall build quality of the ShareMe 5 is simply great. These headphones feel polished, robust and durable. Also, those ugly mold lines which really kept the ShareMe 7 from looking premium are nowhere to be found on the ShareMe 5. To summarize it up, the ShareMe 5 are by far the best-looking over the ear headphones from Mixcder.
 
 
Comfort and isolation
 

 
 
Mixcder headphones never disappoint us when it comes to comfort, and the ShareMe 5 are no exception. Although there is metal used on the back of the earcups, and the headphones are a little larger than many of their peers, still, they are quite light, and have the right amount of clamping pressure to keep the headphones on your head while not causing any discomfort. The cushions on the earcups are also very soft, so is the material used on the bottom side of the headband.
 
The isolation of the ShareMe 5 is slightly above the average of headphones without active noise cancelling, thanks to the tight fit. You don’t necessarily have to turn the volume all the way up to drown out the noises surrounding you. For me, I only need to fix the volume at 60% - 70% to ignore other folks’ voices while standing on a crowded bus.
 
 
Connection and the ShareMe function
 

 
Connecting the ShareMe 5 with your smartphone, or other sources with Bluetooth is as simple as it can be. Hold the power button for a few seconds until the LED besides the charging port flashes in red and blue, the headphones are ready to connect. The connection is pretty solid once it is set up, I could leave my smartphone in my bedroom and still enjoy music with the ShareMe 5 on the balcony of the living room.
 
However, as you can guess from the product naming, the major selling point of the ShareMe series headphones is the ShareMe function, and the ShareMe 5 can share music not only with another set of ShareMe 5, but also with a set of ShareMe Pro. Pairing two sets of ShareMe headphones is also quite simple, just hold the power button on both units until both LED indicators flash in red and blue, then the connection between the two units will be established automatically. There will be a primary unit and a secondary unit, the primary one, on which the LED indicator still flashes in red and blue, is ready to pair with your source, while the secondary one has its LED indicator lighting in static blue.
 
I paired the ShareMe 5 up with a unit of ShareMe Pro. In my personal experience, keeping the two units of headphones and the source close, the sounds coming from both units of headphones are in sync most of the time, but the secondary headphone did lose connection for about 1 second every now and then. For people with OCD like me, that could be a pain in the ass.
 
 
Sound
 

 
Tested tracks:
Little Mix – Shout out to My Ex
Bruno Mars – 24K Magic
Beyonce – Daddy Lessons
Alicia keys – Unthinkable
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Let’s Eat
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – White Privilege
Justin Timberlake – Mirrors
Maroon 5 – Harder to Breathe
Gavin DeGraw – Fire
DNCE – Cake by the Ocean
Demi Lovato – Cool for the Summer
Snow Patrol – Run
Emeli Sande – Clown
Drake – Controlla
G-Eazy – Calm Down
Nick Jonas – Chains
99 Souls ft. Destiny’s child & Brandy – The Girl is Mine
 
Sources: Shanling M5, Fiio X7, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Microsoft Surface Pro 3
 
The two earlier models from Mixcder’s ShareMe line didn’t really excite us in terms of sound quality, the ShareMe 5 really have a lot to prove. After 48 hours of burning in and some serious listening with many different sources, I have the confidence to say that the ShareMe 5’s performance in sound quality is really a pleasant surprise.
 
Please don’t get me wrong, these are still not musical headphones designed for audiophiles. But compared to the hollow-sounding ShareMe 7 and the too-boomy ShareMe Pro, the ShareMe 5 did have a more musical sound profile. There is still great emphasis on the bass, but unlike the thumpy and tight beats we had experienced with the ShareMe Pro and many other entry-level headphones, the punches of the ShareMe 5 were more precise, more relaxed and more refined.
 
The midrange of these headphones sounded okay, although by no means exceptional. Vocals were generally clear, and weren’t subdued by the more dominant bass. Still, compared to higher-end headphones such as B&O BeoPlay H8 and Marshall Major, the lack of depth and details could still bother those audiophiles.
 
The treble was somewhat recessed, but very smooth. Treble extension wasn’t quite there, and headphone nuts might miss those intricate details in the higher end. Fortunately, the ShareMe 5 was quite forgiving to low quality recordings, as the warmth and thickness easily veiled the flaws in the details.
 
Like all headphones in the same price range, the ShareMe 5 didn’t really offer much soundstage. Complex recordings could sound busy, and sometimes even muddled. Instrument separation was generally fine, but it was hard to tell the positioning of these instruments and vocals sometimes.
 
Using these headphones wired wouldn’t elevate the sound quality by a mile, but the improvement was still noticeable: the bass presence was less dominant, thickness and warmth gave some way to details, and the overall sound was a little more layered and cleaner in general.
 
For a set of headphones without aptX support, the ShareMe 5 did exceed our expectations in terms of sound quality, and were acceptable for videos, broadcasting and even pop music.
 
 
Battery life
 
Battery life has always been a strong suit of Mixcder headphones, and the ShareMe 5 did not dishonor the tradition. In our battery rundown test, streaming music with a relatively high volume, the 5 lasted a little more than 12 hours. In the real life experience, using these headphones for an average of 2 hours per day, I can leave them unplugged for an entire week.
 
 
Verdict
 

 
 
The Mixcder ShareMe 5 are easily our favorite product from the Chinese brand by far. We loved their simplistic but premium design, great build quality and impressive performance. There were still things that let us down a little bit, such as the imperfections of the ShareMe functions, and the lack of aptX support…. but given the $55.99 price tag, all of them could be easily forgiven. I remember saying in the reviews of the ShareMe Pro that if you didn’t need the ShareMe function, your money could be better spent on the Ausdom M05. With the ShareMe 5, it is more difficult to recommend anything over it. In the same price range, the Ausdom M05 would still be my No.1 pick in terms of sound quality, but the more modern design of the ShareMe 5 is also very tempting, and may be the deciding factor for some. But either way, your money won’t be spent in vain.       

With the kind permission of @Gracesheng of Mixcder I have been sent 2 sets of Mixcder ShameMe 5 Bluetooth Headphones. My requirements were to demo away to my hearts content and to also mix it up with my long suffering headphone widow Jo1. This I have done in sufficient enough quantities to relay to you what I found along the journey towards Bluetooth freedom
I have worked with Grace before on a review tour of the Ausdom M04 , another lightweight Bluetooth headphone that was competitively priced. But this tour was for 2 of the same headphones !  Could such a thing work? The reason why I scratched my head and asked myself this time and again should be clear to all of you reading this ; headphones are solitary devices. Even the biggest device (the goliath that is the Abyss AB1266 perchance?) doesn't fit 2 heads in so easily. Sure , agreed , we all meet up every now and then and that is very social but only for those that know what we know..... And another thing - how many of you out there have concealed the wild spending habits of your precious hobby from your loved one? Hands up! 
 
The package 
 

 
Nice bright packaged box
 
 

 
With a protective cardboard fap underneath
 
 

 
Which goes on to reveal these in the snapped down position
 
 
Why these are called Mixcder ShareMe
The premise of the ShareMe5 ; to share your musical experience with someone else. What you listen to in your headphones , well they get to hear the same stuff in an identical headphone. Not only can you pair the Bluetooth Headphone with your smartphone , Laptop , Boombox or other device , you can pair the Mixcder headphones with any other Mixcder headphones and it's not a difficult thing to do either. Listening to a movie , critiquing the latest Deezer releases , all can be done and adjusted to each person's individual tastes. When you realise that not everyone appreciates ear screeching volumes coming through the loudspeakers (my partner likes to listen at half the volume I do) then maybe one might reasonably consider this has some advantages to it. Each headphone has it's own volume controls on the side - you like it loud , crank itup , you like it soft and there's no need to holler "THAT'S TOO LOUD!!!!!" What this means is , if one's partner can cope with putting on a pair of cans , you the audiophile can have your dynamics and your stereo separation and intimacy etc and you can also share the experience with your loved one who can also share it but on their own terms. Revolutionary!
Let me stray away from the tried and trusted review routines and tell you - these headphones can be shared and can be enjoyed together , if you play it right. Now just think about that for a second. I cannot be alone in saying that my partner has been rathersurprised at my obession with the private world of headfidom. She puts on the headphones as a tolerance to me and my compulsion for perfection on micro details . You can see if leaves her cold. And she really tries ; because I know my Jo. But with the Mixcders I have essentially given my partner her own phones , to use as she likes , to adjust as she wishes , but which she can share what I am listening to , be it a movie or the latest tunes. If I share the same musical tastes (nurtured through repeated concert going) we may have something here. My partner put them on and having been shown the volume adjustment she took to them. So we now have my passion being shared by virtue of a simple volume adjustment and a bit of comfort. Who'd have thought it? Could your partner be sold in the same way?
 
Ease of Use
The Mixcder's here are simple enough to setup. Mixcder has a well written instruction booklet enclosed that shows how to pair the Mixcders together and how to pair your Mixcder to a bluetooth device. The voice verification when done successfully adds another touch and makes this childsplay. 
 
Comfort
These are lightweight , have some lovely memory foam pleather pads
 

 
 
and headband cushion
 
 

 
 
and the clamping effect is minimised with a one screw per cup system.

 

 
 
The cups do not swivel overly but have a decent suspension system coming down from the headband. The combination is a winning one and keep the drivers where they need to be irrespective of how square or thin your skull may be.
 
Isolation
The true magic for me of a headphone - you put a pair on and you escape. You could be anywhere , have anything on your mind it doesn't matter. The music and you can have your own special world. You can zone the World out and bliss is sure to follow. Provided the isolation is right this can even be done in a noisy environment , be it on a plane , on the tube or wherever your life takes you. The better the isolation the more the illusion. I found the ShareMe's to be isolating enough to reach into that makebelieve childhoodlike state whenever and wherever I wanted.

 
That's good enough for me.
 
Versatility
Can the Mixcder's take you and your World anywhere? The gym perhaps , a stroll in the country or perhaps a jog through the park ? In fact the first 2 should be no problem , the ShareMe5 won't fall off your head that easily and go loud enough for long enough to outlast more than one long session. We have a problem for the runners amongst us . The single connector per driver from the headband has one drawback. For each footfall on the pavement during my run , there was a knocking noise which could not be alleviated. The flex inherent in the headband whilst being an advantage for many uses was a drawback for us runners. I really wanted them to work too but had to concede that the build was for comfort and alas ! - not for speed 

 
Build
The Mixcder ShareMe 5s have a plastic and pleather memory foam surrounding a decent size angled driver
 

 
which is finished with a clamp on both sides of the headband. The clamp reduces the footprint of the ShareMe's down to pocket sized. The question as to whether the hinges may fail at some point in the future was not something that unduly concerned me in everyday use but I do accept that some reviewers have chosen this as the weak point of the headphones. Time will tell but I have not heard of any failures with this yet. 
 
Sound Quality
I make no bones about putting the SQ for the ShareMe 5 so far down this review compared to my usual routine. The ShareMe 5 cannot simply be looked at in terms of pure sound reproduction in comparison with other phones in the same price bracket. This is because they are offering something quite different from phones I own. That being said , if they sound dreadful there's not much point in sticking them on your head. I tried these on classical to metal . I received these just after seeing Jamie Lawson's last gig on his 2 year World Tour promoting his album , Jamie Lawson.

He came home to his birthplace - a great way to take stock of just how far his fame has got him. If you still don't know who I mean , you may still have heard this if you come from the English speaking world.
 

 
He was the first signing of Gingerbread Records , a company owned by a chap called Ed Sheeran. Ed heard the above song a few years ago and knew it would be massive. Despite a brief spell in the Irish Charts in 2013 it never got anywhere. Ed rang Jamie and asked him how his songs were getting along and realised he was still in the doldrums. He signed him on the basis of that song alone. If you have Ed Sheeran behind you pushing that song hard , you're in with a chance. And now look at him.....
 

 
Yep that's Ed Sheeran and Jamie Lawson , together on stage , in Plymouth , jamming on their cowritten song -  Can't See Straight
 
Back to listening - I've heard this album recently enough to use it as a reference tool to compare the ShareMe 5 against similar wireless and wired phones I have or that HMV are trying to flog.
 
Bass
Lots of sub and midbass characterise the signature of the ShareMe's. Jamie Lawson's album is mixed with plenty of bass and as many new releases are these days it has plenty of loudness. The album has plenty of punch to it. Critical listening reveals the Mixcder has lots of boost in the bass and is aiming for a consumer sound with a boomy sound.
 
Mids
The mids are slightly recessed in keeping with the consumer feel to the sound of these. Voices are still easy enough to follow , but the strings of Jamie's guitar to give off a tactile feel like the best will.
 
Highs/Soundstage/Detail
I am of the opinion more and more that these 3 things are inextricably linked. Space and micro detail are auditory effects created using the upper ranges and the distortion inherent in every analogue device we use. The ShareMe's are rolled off in the uppers , so they are quite smooth. So the shrillness present in some cheaper headphones , that at least is mercifully not here. The rolled off nature of the tuning of these means the soundstage is quite intimate. Cymbals and the echo created in the studio are artificially muted as I expected.
 
Comparisons
 

The Ausdom M05 from 2015. They retail on Amazon for £41.99. These have a similar sound signature , an aggressive bass recessed mids and rolled off in the highs. The ShareMe 5s had a fuller more detailed sound and the thickness and size of the cups being slightly deeper and bigger may have had a part in this impression.
 

 
The Pendulumic Stance S1+ retail at £169.95. They are several times more expensive than the Mixcder ShareMe 5's which are on Amazon at £45.99. The Stance offer a more accurate tonally balanced detailed signature whilst maintaining a comfort that belies their heavier weight. Whether they are worth the 4x price hike sonically is a question only you dear readers can answer. They are not able to do what the ShareMe's do - we are just talking about the SQ . I believe after 18 months of owning the Stance S1+ they can keep up with the best bluetooth headphones out there.
 
Verdict
ShareMe may have found a niche in the market here. Perhaps we can , as partners or friends , sit down together and put headphones on and have an enjoyable time without feeling too self conscious. And crank up the music sat in the living rooms of our headfi neighbourhoods without the neighbours knowing a thing about it. Maybe the unsociable aspect of using headphones can be addressed here and elsewhere. If that is something you've ever thought about it , then you should give these a try.
There are limitations to the Mixcder ShareMe 5 headphones in absolute sonic terms. I realised that the whole point of this review may not have been about sound quality after all. This is about a closed headphone that lets you into an open world and if you're like me - cuddled up to your loved one listening to something very old done in a refreshingly new way ; it might just put a smile on your face