Shure AONIC 215 Gen 2 True Wireless Earphones Review: They Stay Put and Sound Impressive

I hadn’t used Shure headphones in quite some time, so I was excited when the opportunity to review the Shure AONIC 215 Gen 2 True Wireless Earphones. This system pairs detachable AONIC 215 sound isolating earphones with Shure’s second-generation wireless adapter set. The sound is impressive, but the unique approach Shure took may not be for everyone.

Shure describes the AONIC 215 True Wireless Sound Isolating Earphones this way:

Engineered from decades of experience supporting music legends, the second generation of the AONIC 215 True Wireless Sound Isolating Earphones feature studio sound quality in a small package. Experience exceptional comfort, water resistance, and a secure fit with an uninterrupted, world-class listening experience wherever you go.

Inside the box, you will find the RMCE-TW2 Wireless Adapter Set, a pair of the Shure AONIC 215 Gen 2 True Wireless Earphones, a charging case, a USB-C Charging Cable, one set of Soft Flex Sleeves in small, medium, and large, and one set of Foam Sleeves in small, medium and large.

The Charging Case:

The 3″ wide by 1″ tall charging case that ships with the Shure AONIC 215 Gen 2 True Wireless Earphones is the largest charging case I have ever seen. On the one hand, that’s not a bad thing considering the battery case can recharge the earphones up to three times which adds a full 24 hours of battery life for a total of 32 with the charge held in the earphones before you need to plug the car pin to recharge it. On the other hand, the thing is huge and is certainly not something you will want to keep in your pant pocket.

A button and LEDs along the top let you know how much charge remains. The USB-C charging port sits just next to it, and there is no wireless charging.

When you take a look at the design of the earphones, however, the size of the case begins to make sense.

The Shure RMCE-TW2 Wireless Adapter Set:

Shure took an interesting approach when designing the AONIC 215 TWE. Rather than build a stand-alone True Wireless Earphone, they decided to leverage their earphones’ modular design, which allows you to connect any number of different cables. So Shure chose to maintain this approach and created wireless modules that connect to the earphones the same way a cable would. That means the same wireless module can work with an assortment of different earphones.

As a result, the Shure AONIC 215 Gen 2 True Wireless Earphones come with the $99 AONIC 215 Sound Isolating Earphones. Still, the included $189 RMCE-TW2 Wireless Adapter Set can also be used with other AONIC earphones, from the $199 AONIC 3 all the way up to the $499 IONIC 5. So, once you own the wireless adapter kit, you have a range of choices. That’s pretty neat.

The wireless adapter gets up to eight hours of playback per charge. As noted, the battery case allows you to recharge the adapter up to three times. Inside, the adapter has Bluetooth 5 and gets up to 30 feet of range. (We’ve seen wireless earphones that get far more range, but 30 feet remains the norm.)

Onboard microphones let you take calls or dictate notes on the go. The premium amplifier (Shure’s description) supports multiple codecs, including Qualcomm aptX, AAC, and SBC.

A Shure AONIC 215 earphone on left with a Shure RMCE-TW2 Wireless Adapter on the right.

The Shure AONIC 215 Gen 2 True Wireless Earphones:

As noted, the wired version of the AONIC 215 is just $99. Even at that low price, they still sound impressive. More on that shortly.

The detachable connection Shure uses across the AONIC line means you can attach various accessories to the same earbuds. That’s great if you are traveling by plane and, for example, want to use a wired connection to the in-flight entertainment. It’s that same flexible connectivity that lets you swap out a wired connection for the wireless adapter.

I should, however, note that this design, while ingenious, means the earphone can come apart from the wireless adapter if not connected correctly or if moved too much while trying to get the right fit. I’ve had this issue of the earbud disconnecting a few times, and it is rather annoying.

Secure, over-ear fit. Built with the same design musicians use for in-ear monitoring on-stage. Your earphones stay in place for unmatched, long-wearing comfort, even during high-energy activities.

The wireless adapters have an over-the-ear design. All the electronics, from the Bluetooth radio to the batteries, are housed in the adapters. That’s why you can swap out different models of AONIC earphones. It means the earphones themselves don’t have the larger size and weight of most true wireless earphones.

The wrap-around design of the wireless adapter also means the earphones stay in place far better than most true wireless earphones. (Think about the Apple Beats Pro, and you have a good idea how this design can benefit those who wear their earphones during activities like running or biking.)

To be fair, this design is polarizing. Some will love the added secure fit of the over-the-ear design, and some won’t go anywhere near this design: I’m still not sure where I fall.

As previously mentioned, the AONIC 215 are the least expensive earphones in the AONIC lineup, but you shouldn’t hold that against them since they sound quite good. The lows are pounding, and the mids and highs are punchy. These earphones lack the active noise cancellation that has become close to ubiquitous in true wireless earphones, but the noise isolating design blocks up to 37 dB of noise and does a decent job of isolating you from the world.

Despite the lack of ANC, I appreciate that the earphones have an “Environmental Mode” that lets ambient sound in. That’s an important safety measure if you are wearing earphones while running or walking down the street, but it significantly impacts the audio quality.

The ShurePlus PLAY App:

Finally, there is the ShurePlus PLAY app. The free app only works when using the wireless adapter with the AONIC 250 and, even then, is a bit limited in scope. With the app, you can customize the controls on each of the two wireless adapters. I charge it so that the left adapter controls play/pause, track advance, and track repeat while the right adapter controls the Environmental Mode.

With the app, you can also adjust the Environmental Mode level to allow in more or less sound and make some EQ adjustments. I found the EQ settings somewhat limited, but I could do a bit of tuning, so the earphones were more to my taste. The app is a bit limited in scope, and the interface is more than a bit dated, but it does work as promised, and the ability to adjust the controls is excellent!

Shure AONIC 215 Gen 2 True Wireless Earphones Features:

• Secure, over-ear fit: Built with the same design musicians use for in-ear monitoring on-stage.
• Sweat and water-resistant: Designed to pass rigorous quality and durability testing to ensure they’ll maintain peak performance (IPX4 Rated).
• Secure, close-fit design: Built with the same low-profile design musicians use for monitoring on-stage. Your earphones stay in place with the over-ear hook for unmatched, long-wearing comfort even during high-energy activities.
• Sound Isolating technology: Blocks up to 37 dB of noise to eliminate distractions. Enjoy the most immersive listening experience no matter where you are.
• Environment Mode: Hear the outside world with the touch of a button.
• Up to 8 hours battery life: Uninterrupted audio wherever you are – on the train, in the gym, or at home. The included carrying case provides three additional charges for a total of up to 32 hours of battery life on the go.
• Detachable connection: This allows the AONIC 215 Earphones to attach to different cable accessories. Stay connected to any device, including airplane entertainment systems.
• Enjoy clear calls: Get exceptional audio through integrated microphones for video conferencing and phone calls.
• Premium headphone amplifier: Supports multiple codecs, including Qualcomm aptX, AAC and SBC
• Bluetooth 5 wireless technology: Delivers enhanced stability and a range of up to 30 feet (10 meters). Pairs to phones, tablets, and laptops for music and calls.
• ShurePlus PLAY app: This allows you to customize your EQ and Environment Mode levels. Free to download for iOS and Android.

The Shure AONIC 215 True Wireless Earphones I received for review is the second generation version. Apparently, there were some connectivity issues with the first-generation wireless adapter. I haven’t encountered any connectivity issues with these Moreover, I find the wired AONIC 215, which are one of the least expensive Sure sound isolating earphones, to sound very good. If you already own a compatible pair of Shure earphones, you can purchase the Shure RMCE-TW2 Wireless Adapter Set on its own for $189. If you don’t already own a pair of compatible earphones, you can get the AONIC 215 Gen 2 True Wireless Earphones set I reviewed, including both the earphones and the wireless adapters, for just $40 more.

The Shure AONIC 215 Gen 2 True Wireless Earphones sound quite good. Out of the box, the sound was crisp and clean and, once I adjusted the EQ a bit, they sounded even better. I appreciate the secure fit of the earphones, and the range of included tips allows you to adjust the fit and seal to your liking; it is worth taking the time to try them all to see which tips work best for you. The over-the-ear design of the wireless adapters is quite intelligent, and the long battery life and secure fit they provide will do a good job meeting the needs of many people.

Even so, I’m still a fan of True Wireless Earphones that are self-contained. Sure, that means the earphones are a bit larger and heavier, but the wrap-around design of the AONIC 250 isn’t my favorite. That is, however, simply a matter of personal choice. As a product, the Shure AONIC 215 GEN 2 True Wireless Earphones are impressive. That’s especially true when you take the low price point and ability to swap out the earphones into account.

The Shure AONIC 215 Gen 2 True Wireless Earphones retail for $229; they are available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Ships with a range of earphone tips; Excellent battery life; Excellent sound, especially for the price; Can use the RMCE-TW2 Wireless Adapter Set with other wired Shure AONIC earphones; Can swap in a variety of cables for wired use while traveling; App lets you customize the controls and EQ; Environmental Mode lets ambient sound in

What Needs Improvement: Over-The-Ear design won’t be to everyone’s liking; The charging case is very large; No ANC