photo credit: BitWolf
Aune AR5000.
We have Journeyed to the Texture of Sound.
Got these yesterday.
I will not put them on again.
They go back on Monday.
Very much unlistenable for me.
4/10
Oh dear AR5000. You have everything going for you. So pretty, so light, so nice, so repairable, so good, so cheap.. What is this sound shenanigans?
Unfixable listening fatigue that induces headache and tinnitus for me in less than 10min.
Multiple sessions, spanning 5, 10, 15mins, no more.
Always the same outcome - headache, tinnitus, extremely quick fatigue onset. According to FR provided by Aune - it does not appear to be too bad, however even heavy EQ in the highs region does not fix it. How is this possible? I assume it's earcup reflections or ringing frequencies, maybe more than one. *Gasp*
Maybe I have a non-QC compliant unit?
As for the very short sound signature review:
- Bass extension is deep, when called for - oh boy these deliver. Nice.
- Subbass is however weaker and not present as much as I'd like.
- Soundstage is surprisingly large and instruments are way too much defined. Sometimes you get a feeling something is wrong but when you focus in - you realize it's actually placed somewhere on the stage! You did not expect that to happen! Mind is blown!
- Mids are just right! Finest quality is vocals being nicely present and often unexpectedly standing out in the mix.
- Very good tonality, enjoyable (as it can get with the fatigue) however sometimes some things that should be bright are dark and some dark things bright.