When it comes to Aune, most audio enthusiasts are more familiar with its desktop gear—decoders, amps, and all-in-ones like the iconic X1 series, the portable M1s DAP, or the beloved B1 portable amp. Over the years, Aune has carved out a reputation for creating excellent value-for-money desktop audio systems.
But now, Aune is stepping into the full-size headphone game—with confidence. Following the success of the AR5000, Aune brings us its second flagship over-ear model: the Aune SR7000 Butterfly. At ~USD $780, it matches the price tier of Aune’s higher-end S series desktop products, and naturally, expectations are high. So, how does it perform?
📦 Unboxing & First Impressions
The Aune SR7000 inherits the elegant and understated industrial design of the AR5000, swapping champagne gold for a mature forest green finish. Build quality is excellent, and the comfort is exceptional: a wide and soft headband, newly upgraded lambskin ear cushions, and a lightweight 390g shell make it suitable for hours of fatigue-free listening.
Inside the box, Aune includes:
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A high-quality AuNest hard case
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Two cables:
• 1.5m standard OFC TRS (3.5mm)
• 1.5m AR3 Single-Crystal Copper Balanced 4.4mm cable -
3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter
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Manual and documentation
The accessories feel premium and practical—no unnecessary fluff, just essentials done right.
🎶 Sound Impressions: A Closed-Back That Sounds Open
Although the Aune SR7000 features a closed-back design, the soundstage tells a different story. Aune has developed a patented "Dragon Scale" acoustic prism that combats internal reflections and standing waves, minimizing that "boxed-in" feeling many closed headphones suffer from.
The result? A surprisingly spacious and layered soundstage, both wide and deep. Whether you're listening to a live classical recording or immersive movie scores, the sense of space is striking for a closed design.
Tonal Balance
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Midrange: Smooth and slightly forward, offering dense, textured vocals without overwhelming the mix.
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Treble: Clean and extended, thanks to the W-shaped ceramic polymer diaphragm, with no sharpness or grain.
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Bass: Deep and powerful, with excellent sub-bass control and rumble—tight and never boomy.
The THD under 0.03% and a wide frequency response of 5Hz–44.5kHz ensure high fidelity across genres.
🔄 Cable Swaps = Two Personalities
The Aune SR7000 ships with two distinct cables, and the difference is audible:
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Standard TRS Cable (3.5mm): Offers a warm, musical presentation with rich mid-bass and lush vocals. Great for retro pop and vocal-centric music.
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AR3 4.4mm Balanced Cable: Brings more clarity and speed to the sound. Highs sparkle, transients tighten, and the overall sound is more reference-grade. The imaging improves significantly—especially great for instrumental and orchestral music.
Having both lets you choose based on mood or genre, or simply experiment with future cable upgrades—the dual 3.5mm input gives you freedom to explore.
🔌 System Pairing: Versatile & Easy to Drive
One of Aune SR7000's major advantages is its 55Ω moderate impedance, making it easy to drive without sacrificing performance. We tested it with:
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Aune Yuki DAC dongle: Delivers classic Aune warmth and musicality. Surprisingly full-bodied with a smooth tonal balance.
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Onix Overture DAP: Expands spatial depth and detail. Brings out the SR7000's imaging strengths and low-noise background.
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FiiO K19 Desktop DAC/AMP: Unleashes full potential. Massive headroom, superb layering, and perfect tonal control.
With K19's 31-band PEQ, we even tuned the Aune SR7000 into a mid-bass-rich, vocal-emphasized configuration, enhancing its synergy with mainstream pop and Mandopop genres.
📝 Conclusion
The Aune SR7000 is more than just a flagship headphone—it’s a sonic statement that blends technical excellence, comfort, and versatility. Whether you're a studio producer, audiophile, or a Hi-Fi beginner looking to build a serious desktop setup, SR7000 offers a level of refinement and tuning that stands out in the ~$780 class.
Its ability to sound open yet isolated, and the inclusion of two unique cables, gives you two flavors in one box. Plus, the pairing flexibility and rich sound signature make it a long-term companion on your audio journey.
✔ Pros:
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Excellent spatial presentation for a closed-back
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Natural and refined tonality
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Comfortable for long sessions
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Dual cable versatility
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Scales well with source gear
⚠️ Cons:
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Soundstage can’t match true open-backs (but comes close!)
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No in-line mic or wireless option (pure Hi-Fi only)
🎧 Verdict: Aune SR7000 is the closed-back headphone for open-minded audiophiles.
It proves that closed-back designs can be immersive, technical, and beautifully tuned—and it does it all with Aune’s signature polish.
