Clip-On Competition: Beyerdynamic AMIRON ZERO Review

Popularized by Bose and Shokz, clip-on earphones are becoming a favorite for athletes and casual listeners alike. Now, Beyerdynamic has entered the ring to compete against these heavy hitters. The AMIRON ZERO is a clip-on open earbud that is perfect for the person who wants good sound on the go, all while staying aware. It’s perfect for athletes or people with sensitive ears, especially since it is a non-invasive wear style. But how do they sound? This review will dive into all the details of the new AMIRON ZERO, retailing for $179.99. 

The AMIRON ZERO introduces a new design that Beyerdynamic has not attempted before. These two black clips hook onto the side of your ear, with one end behind the ear and the other resting right on the outside. It doesn’t go in your ear; instead, it lies right on the spot before your ear canal. It is very lightweight, and the magnet inside allows it to stay securely on the outside of your ear. The band on the outside was stretchy and flexible to wrap around the ear smoothly and without complication. I will admit that the fit of the AMIRON ZERO was a bit odd at first, as I was not accustomed to the wear style of a clip-on earbud. However, after a bit of adjusting and getting it to rest exactly where I wanted, the AMIRON ZERO practically disappeared and became unnoticeable during my listening. 

Once the AMIRON ZERO was on, it was smooth sailing with my listening. The earphones come in three different colors, and they all function in the same way. Another learning curve with the AMIRON ZERO was knowing where the controls were. Instead of on the side that goes slightly inside your ear, the touch sensors were on the back surface that goes behind the ear. These sensors were fairly sensitive and reacted to the touch controls with ease, so it was easy to use them and not have to reach for my device. 

When you look at these compared to clip-on earbuds, you’ll see that most have a similar shape. The AMIRON ZERO is more matte in color and slightly smaller, making it an ideal option for sleek and subtle styles. They are more flexible than some other options, like the Bose Ultra Open, which are more rigid and less adaptable for an ideal fit. Still, both the AMIRON ZERO and its competitors are interesting solutions for athletes who want to listen to good music and still be aware of their surroundings. 

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

The AMIRON ZERO is an impressive earphone because of its ability to mimic an open-back headphone with a small percentage of the weight at only a fraction of the weight. The soundstage was exceptionally wide and immersive, wrapping around the head and seamlessly blending into the ambient environment. I was impressed with the dynamic sound coming from the AMIRON ZERO. The lows were deep and punchy, and the treble was airy to create a nice, open space at the top. Throughout the signature, you get a fairly detailed and clear sound that you’d find in some standard wireless earbuds. These earphones were excellent at taking up space in all directions, so every corner of the sound field was taken up by one of the ranges. The overall signature was balanced yet dynamic, so you have a fun listening experience for any environment you may be listening in.  

The sound signature of the AMIRON ZERO has a nice V-shape to it, where the midrange comes forward to be the front and center of any mix. You get to hear a good amount of detail from the midrange, especially, and the layers that encompass each range make an immersive listening experience in the AMIRON ZERO that is perfect for any athlete or casual listener. 

BASS FREQUENCIES

The low end showed off some nice power for being an open-ear design. Normally, the open-ear devices tend to lose the bass and have a very recessed low end. With the AMIRON ZERO, I was impressed with how the bass frequencies created a blanket in the low end. It made the entire signature have an added sense of depth that is familiar to Beyerdynamic headphones and earphones. The AMIRON ZERO’s bass had decent clarity to distinguish individual instruments. Bass drums were distinct and thick, while low strings also had nice tonality and texture. You start to lose some clarity and get a bit muddy when it comes to the sub-bass. It cuts off just before you can start to feel any rumble or super low tones, but it comes out just enough as another layer deeper in the soundstage. Still, this didn’t impact the overall warm effect of the bass to make the AMIRON ZERO any less enjoyable. 

MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES

The midrange in the AMIRON ZERO comes forward, so it’s the first thing you hear in the signature. Vocal presentation is right at the front, which is great for hearing all the main melodies that you look for in your favorite tracks. There is excellent sound reproduction coming from this range: it sounds natural and inviting, and doesn’t get into a completely analytical zone. Beyerdynamic has always been good at producing a natural-sounding earphone, and the AMIRON ZERO is no exception. I liked the instrumental rendition and how it blended into my natural environment, and it didn’t compromise on detail. In this way, it is very similar to the AMIRON 200, another open-ear true wireless set that hooks over your ear. 

TREBLE FREQUENCIES

The top end is what makes the AMIRON ZERO come together. After the warm low end and forward midrange, the treble is a breath of fresh air without making the whole signature too dark. It’s a good balance for the entire signature. Frequencies are bright and colorful to keep things from becoming too analytical, much like the midrange. It has sharp and precise detail that stays just smooth enough to avoid harshness. I was a fan of the space that was presented in the top end, which made the soundstage have a lot of height and feel even more open. Frequencies can dissipate naturally and have plenty of space to ring out and become part of the natural environment around you. It was nice how the AMIRON ZERO’s top range was able to transfer its clarity and crispness into other ranges so everything felt cohesive and equally detailed. 

The Beyerdynamic AMIRON ZERO proves itself to be the perfect addition for athletes and casual listeners alike. Its on-ear fit allows for environmental awareness while you listen, and the secure clip-on style is perfect for any type of physical activity. You can definitely use these for when you want something for running or working out, but also just for regular office use. The fit of the AMIRON ZERO is a bit odd if you’ve never used a clip-on earbud before, but you’ll soon find comfort once you realize how lightweight and unnoticeable they are. The sound quality is exceptional and gives you plenty of detail and immersiveness for an amazing price point. 

I highly recommend trying the AMIRON ZERO if you’re thinking of getting a sporty, casual, open-ear true wireless device. It is easy to use and makes a perfect accessory for when you want versatility that doesn’t compromise on quality. 

You can find the AMIRON ZERO at Audio46.