Took them long enough to upgrade the horribly outdated and outclassed SE series. Interested to see how well they've tuned these, and also waiting for the proper SE846/KSE series successor.
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.phileweb.com/news/d-av/202004/25/50229.html
Think we have a answer of sorts and it doesn't seem good. Some Quotes from Sean Sullivan director of Listening products for Shure product management...
"Sullivan said, "Our core products, SE315, SE425, SE535, have never been updated in the last few years," and the reason is "simply these earphones have the same sound quality as before. It's the best, "he explained.
"There's an American saying," don't fix things that aren't broken. "Just like that, we didn't touch these great earphones," Sullivan said.
At Shure, we spend many years developing new products to keep the quality of our products high. Since he pays close attention to the earphone design, it takes 2-3 years, sometimes 8 years, to develop a new product. Therefore, unless there is a special reason, he rarely updates existing earphones. "But this time, it's finally here," Sullivan declared strongly."(Hmmm, getting old and passed by is not a good enough reason?)
" keen to bring back the E4C soul." and " We kept the E4C's heavy, well-balanced sound "
Then another listening product team member, Steve Merrick, on the Aonic5...
"an earphone that was inspired by the SE535 to further evolve the SE535 and add new functions"(like the mention of function but not SQ)
" The balance nozzle, as the name implies, provides a sound similar to the SE535 "
Doesn't sound so hot if you think the SE535 is outclassed now. Only new thing would really be the hybrid. Not a bad thing to have the E4C back again with the ability to change cables it is still a bit of classic though the price of the new one could be lower. Only thing really new is the hybrid. The Mr. Nemoto "recommendation" of the hybrid seems telling as that is probably the best one. Maybe if you try the 5 you'll judge the 4 as worse and skip them all so he wants you to try the 4