We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-03 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want true wireless freedom with active noise cancellation and Hi-Res Audio on the go, choose OnePlus Buds 4; if you need an open, wired, audiophile-grade listening experience with a much wider frequency range, choose Aune AC45. These two couldn't be more different, and that's exactly why this comparison matters. One is a modern Bluetooth earbud built for commuting and calls; the other is a wired open-back clip-on designed for people who care about soundstage and detail above all else.
• OnePlus Buds 4 — biggest strength: True wireless convenience with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Mode, Bluetooth 5.4, and over 24 hours of playback with the charging case.
• OnePlus Buds 4 — biggest trade-off: Its frequency range tops out at 20,000 Hz and it relies on Bluetooth, so it can't match a wired open-back design for raw bandwidth or spatial airiness.
• Aune AC45 — biggest strength: A 40mm W-shaped bio-fiber composite diaphragm with a 20Hz–40,000Hz range and a pure open-back design that creates a wide, transparent soundstage.
• Aune AC45 — biggest trade-off: It's fully wired with a 3.5mm jack, has no noise cancellation, and leaks sound by design — so it's not for noisy commutes or wireless convenience.
• Who each pick is for: Choose OnePlus Buds 4 if you want wireless ANC earbuds for daily life; choose Aune AC45 if you want wired, open-back hi-res listening at a desk or in a quiet room.
The OnePlus Buds 4 is built around the idea that good sound should travel with you. It uses 11mm dynamic drivers tuned for balanced, true-to-life acoustics, and it carries Hi-Res Audio certification with LHDC 5.0 support for higher-quality wireless codec streaming. For anyone who streams from a phone that supports LHDC, that combination matters — it's the difference between "fine for earbuds" and genuinely detailed wireless playback.
Buy it if you want one pair of earbuds that handles music, calls, gaming and video without fuss. Skip it if you're chasing the last word in soundstage width or you need wired, zero-latency monitoring — the in-ear, Bluetooth design simply isn't aimed at that. It's also worth noting the frequency response tops out at 20,000 Hz, which is the standard ceiling for consumer wireless audio.
Aune AC45: Who It's For
The Aune AC45 is a different philosophy entirely. It's a wired, open-back clip-on headphone with a 40mm W-shaped bio-fiber composite diaphragm — a design Aune says increases the vibration area by roughly 70% compared to conventional clip-on headphones. That's the kind of structural thinking you normally associate with full-size audiophile gear, not clip-ons.
The spec that jumps out is the frequency range: 20Hz to 40,000Hz. That's double the top end of the OnePlus Buds 4, and it's the core of the "hi-res" claim here. The independent linear surround system is engineered specifically for the acoustic behavior of open-back clip-ons, boosting mid-bass presence so the low end never sounds hollow even in an open soundstage. The high-dynamic symmetric motor system keeps things stable during complex, dynamic passages, so busy tracks don't smear together.
Then there's the open-back design itself. Because sound waves diffuse naturally instead of being sealed into your ear canal, you get a free, spacious stage and natural imaging. Vocals, acoustic performances and light music in particular benefit from that airiness. On-ear placement and a composite enclosure keep it lightweight enough for portable use with a DAP or portable amp.
Buy it if you listen critically at a desk, want an expansive open soundstage, and don't mind a cable. Skip it if you need noise cancellation, wireless freedom, or you listen mostly in loud environments — open-back means you hear the world and the world hears you, and there's no ANC to fall back on.
• Best for wireless freedom → OnePlus Buds 4. Bluetooth 5.4 with up to 33 feet of range and no cable at all.
• Best for noise control → OnePlus Buds 4. Active Noise Cancellation plus an Adaptive Mode that switches automatically.
• Best for battery life → OnePlus Buds 4. Over 24 hours of total playback with the 530mAh charging case.
• Best for soundstage and airiness → Aune AC45. The open-back clip-on design diffuses sound naturally for a spacious, transparent presentation.
• Best for frequency range → Aune AC45. 20Hz–40,000Hz versus 20,000Hz on the OnePlus.
• Best for critical, wired listening → Aune AC45. A 3.5mm jack means zero wireless latency and a direct connection to DAPs, HiFi systems and portable amps.
• Best for calls, gaming and travel → OnePlus Buds 4. Touch controls, a stable connection and sealed in-ear fit suit mobile life.
• Best for quiet-room audiophile sessions → Aune AC45. Warm, full-bodied tuning with a bio-fiber diaphragm built for detail and dynamics.
In my opinion, most people should buy the OnePlus Buds 4. It solves more everyday problems — noise, battery, wireless convenience, calls — and does it with Hi-Res Audio and LHDC 5.0 support. If, however, your priority is genuinely hearing more of the music, and you have a quiet space and a wired source, I'd point you to the Aune AC45. Its 40,000Hz ceiling, open-back staging and bio-fiber diaphragm make it the more rewarding listen when conditions allow. Different tools, different jobs — pick based on where and how you actually listen.
FAQ
what is hi res headphones
Hi-res headphones are headphones capable of reproducing audio with a wider frequency range and higher resolution than standard consumer gear. In this comparison, the Aune AC45 reaches 20Hz–40,000Hz, while the OnePlus Buds 4 covers 40Hz–20,000Hz with Hi-Res Audio and LHDC 5.0 support over Bluetooth.
what is hi res audio headphones
which headphones support hi res lossless
Hi-res lossless playback generally requires a wired connection to carry the full data stream. The Aune AC45 uses a 3.5mm wired jack and a 20Hz–40,000Hz range, which makes it the more natural fit for lossless sources. The OnePlus Buds 4 supports Hi-Res Audio wirelessly via LHDC 5.0, which is high-quality but still a Bluetooth codec.
do the OnePlus Buds 4 or Aune AC45 have noise cancellation
Only the OnePlus Buds 4 has noise control — it offers Active Noise Cancellation plus an Adaptive Mode. The Aune AC45 has no noise control at all, because its open-back clip-on design is intended to let sound in and out naturally. That's a deliberate trade-off for soundstage, not an oversight.
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