Shure Aonic 3

£179

There’s good reason for the appeal of affordable wireless earbuds. So why would you even consider spending this kind of money on a pair of in-ears that have to rely on eartips for noise isolation, an in-line mic for controls and a 3.5mm jack to connect to your smartphone (assuming it has one)? Spend a minute or two in the company of the Aonic 3s and you’ll soon understand why.

Radiohead’s 15 Step is a true test of timing that can easily trip up any speakers or headphones that aren’t paying attention. Yet the Shure Aonic 3s absolutely nail it. Even if the track isn’t necessarily your cup of tea, the Aonic 3s make it a delight to listen to. There’s no sense of confusion, no jumbling of elements. These in-ears separate strands and knit them together in one glorious musical tapestry. The sense of rhythm and timing on offer from the Shures needs to be heard to be believed.

The same is true of their dynamic ability. On Billie Eilish’s No Time To Die from the latest Bond film, delicate keystrokes of a piano combine with an intimate vocal that oozes detail. Bass notes don’t protrude and highs don’t cut too deep. The Shures are honest, transparent and true to the original recording.

We’re big fans of the fit and level of comfort that these lightweight buds offer – thanks to the nine different pairs of eartips supplied, including silicone, foam and flange designs. You also get a 3.5mm to 6.3mm headphone adapter, should you want to plug the Shures into a traditional stereo amplifier.

These Shures might not be the most thrilling pair of headphones we will ever hear, but they continually impress. We’re struggling to think of a pair of in-ear headphones at this level that come even close to the Aonic 3 for transparency, detail, dynamics and musicality.

Breathtakingly musical and comfy to wear, the Shures set a new benchmark for in-ear headphones at this level.