If you don't mind the somewhat bulky case footprint, and large earbuds, the Shure AONIC Free isolates like no other. Its app is comprehensive and the connection is solid over aptX, providing excellent sound quality too.

Shure has shown that one earphone can try to do it all, and for the most part, the Aonic 5 succeeded. However, accessibility can be an issue, and this IEM can be a hard sell for some. I found that the more you put into the Aonic 5, the more it delivers. Some may just need an IEM that has a flat, neutral response for monitoring, and the Aonic 5 does that very well, but for a more textured, satisfying sound signature, it definitely benefits from outboard gear.

It’s hard to argue with the Shure Aonic 5’s accurate, flat response audio performance, but the price for these wired earphones feels a bit too high.

Personally, I prefer a fuller tonal balance with more bass, but a lot of audio enthusiasts disagree. If you’ve read this far, I’m pretty sure you have an idea of whether or not this might be to your taste. If the Aonic 5s seem like it’s in your sonic ballpark, I strongly recommend you check them out. With a more user-friendly form factor than many audiophile-oriented earphones, an easy-to-drive design, multiple filters for fine-tuning, a fantastic selection of tips, and a not-too-crazy price, they are a good choice as long as you want just a modest helping of bass.

Shure’s premium in-ear headphones deliver bags of detail and a sensational sense of musicality