aune IR300 IEMs Review – Musical And Contrasty
Aune IR300 is a $119 USD pair of IEMS or In-Ear Monitors with both front nozzle and back ventilation tuning options, W-Shpaed Crystal Infused Diaphragm and with symmetric motor systems for stable dynamics. Today we will review the IR 300 and also compare them with other similarly priced IEMS in the entry-level range.
Introduction
Aune is best known for electronics, DACs, AMPs, but recently they made the AC55 which has been a hit with music lovers, and now we have an entry-level pair of IEMS which I assume will also be a hit with everyone. Aune’s headphones are very popular so I have to admit that I am starting the review with high hopes for IR300.
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Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4vTr8na
Build Quality – Design
Aune IR300 is built for a clear sound but with flexible tuning. They come with six tuning options, or 3 x 2, basically 3 front nozzles and 2 acoustic chamber ventilation modules, designed to offer enough flexibility for all music lovers on a budget.
You can chose between a powerful and big bass with a rich texture or a tight and precise bass for the back ventilation chamber, or with the front nozzles, you can go from neutral to bright to smooth and warm. This is all achieved with the power of a crystal infused diaphragm driver that has a W shape and dual motor system that enhances comfort and efficiency. To my best understanding a dual motor means two magnets working in tandem.
It is common for audiophiles to complain of dry ears since eartips can easily cause wearing fatigue, so Aune IR300 comes with two sets of eartips, seven pairs in total of special eartips that have a 99% antibacterial rate and are hypoallergenic, perfect for long-term usage. Aune even includes a high quality cable that is modular and for which you can replace the jack plug, and a metallic shell processed through CNC milling.
Technically, we are looking at a pair of IEMS with a 10mm dynamic driver at the core, 32 OHM nominal impedance and 121 dB SPL, with a THD of 0.03% and a weight of each IEM of 9.5 grams. Although there is no hard transport case inside the package, there is a pouch and with a cable length of 1.25m, IR300 looks very standard for a pair of IEMS, so it will be interesting to see how they feel and sound.
Subjective Usage
At first you will notice the superb cable which is thick, a bit springy, but feels trusty and reliable. It is a superb flexible copper redd-ish cable with outstanding resilience and then you notice the mirror finish IEM shells with excellent build quality and how they fit nicely inside of your ears.
Aune IR300 has a medium-deep insertion with a top seal, and a strong passive noise isolation, between 20 and 30 dB. It also has a bit of void and a tiny bit of driver flex, which somehow aids the fitting and passive noise isolation.
Sound Quality
Pairings – For today’s review I have paired the new Aune IR300 with multiple sources including FiiO K17, Argon Audio SA-2 Amplifier Driven by FiiO Warmer R2R, Acer Nitro 18 AI Laptop (with 3.5mm adapters), iBasso Kunlun, FiiO Snowsky Echo DAP, Orchard Audio Valencia driven by Musician Pegasus III and Luxsin X9.
While it is a given that it will be easy to drive, I am surprised to say that it is indeed very easy to drive the IR300, which does not show source noise at all, works really well with all sources and just generally feels snappy and plays well with both portable DAC AMPS and entry-level DAPs. Despite me saying this, the IR300 handles extreme volumes really well and will sound top even when taken upwards of 120 dB, which means that it has a huge headroom.
Overall Signature – Aune tuned IR300 for versatility, a slightly V-Shaped tuning with a big and warm bass, a sharp and brilliant treble and a sweet, lush vocal in between. This tuning gets more exaggerated and more extreme at higher volumes, but settrles for a more natural, even and rounded, smoother sound at lower volumes. Despite its entry-level price point, Ir300 reacts well to an increase in the source quality and will sound top if powered by a high-end DAP like iBasso DX340 MAx ti and can achieve extreme resolution when fed well.
Bass – At the low-end, bass starts from around 25 Hz, with a good punch and kick right from 30 Hz, and with an emphasis on the sub-end from the 40 Hz point all the way to 100 Hz, so there’s not just sub-bass but also some mid bass emphasis giving instruments body, impact and kick, presence and this even bleeds a bit into the midrange giving voices a bit of extra thickness and lushness.
Voicing And Midrange – Vocals are sweet, a bit extra thick, especially male voices, while female voices are extra emotional and juicy. This is achieved through a wet texture, an upper midrange emphasis that extends into the treble and a slight recession right in the middle part so that IR300 sounds the opposite to plasticky and nasal. Although the driver is fast and can resolve details really well, it does not sound analytical but instead like a detailed musical tuning.
Treble – Top end extends up to 20 kHz, and has most presence between 8 kHz and 14 kHz, having quite a bit of extra kick and sparkle up top. Bands like SOAD will sound bright and crisp, but this makes pop also sound bright and brilliant with a strong amount of sharpness and brilliance. It is quite great for EDM, Pop and I find the tuning to be versatile and generalistic.
Dynamics And Textures – Textures are generally a bit wet, musical and although IR 300 can resolve details with ease, it is not dry nor too fast. Dynamic range is extended and it generally can render a high difference between the loud and quiet passages of each song, rendering music with a really nice contrast and kick to it. IR300 is engaging and vivid, an upbeat and not a relaxed sounding pair of IEMs.
Loudness Saturation Gradient – Although it does keep its cool and has a low distortion at all volumes, IR300 changes the sonic character easily depending on the volume and loudness, sounding much more V-Shaped, more vivid and more punchy at higher volumes, and smoother, more relaxed and more natural at lower volumes.
Soundstage – Aune gave IR300 a natural soundstage, able to render a wall of sound for metal and rock music, but at lower volumes sounding wider and more holographic. It is a natural sounding pair of IEMS with a rounded soundstage, both deep and wide in similar amounts.
Value – Conclusion
Considering the contrasty sound, excellent build quality and really nice comfort, along with the good balanced cable included in the package, Aune Ir300 has a high value, it is a very good option for anyone just starting this hobby, or anyone wanting to experience a good pair of earphones that sounds great at higher volumes, but which can handle lower volumes too.
Aune made Ir300 the perfect versatile option for beginners, it works really well with all music styles, especially modern and new music, and it has a top build quality, sure to survive a couple of years of usage, and will welcome you into the audiophile listening habits.
PROs
- Excellent build quality with a top cable included in the package
- Reacts really well to improved source like DAC AMP
- Not sensitive to source noise
- V-Shaped tuning that is universally likable
- Excellent resolution and a crisp overall sound
- Wet character to textures that keeps the sound musical despite the high level of detail
- Clean and fun, with a good vocal clarity
- Thick and punchy bass that gives music impact
- Excellent overall price performance ratio and a great start to audiophilia
Cons
- Soundstage size is natural, not the widest sounding pair of IEMS
- Rolls-Off above 14 kHz
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4vTr8na
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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