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Onyx vs Shimmer: Which Voice Should You Choose?

Onyx and Shimmer couldn't be more different. Onyx is bold and commanding. Shimmer is soft and intimate. Choose Onyx when you need to make an impact and Shimmer when you need to create connection.

Key Differences at a Glance

Overall Tone
Onyx
Bold and commanding
Shimmer
Soft and intimate
Energy Level
Onyx
Impactful and urgent
Shimmer
Gentle and flowing
Best For
Onyx
Announcements and ads
Shimmer
Personal moments
Avoid Using For
Onyx
Extended listening content
Shimmer
Public announcements

Audio Samples

All samples use the high-quality tts-1-hd model at 1x speed.

Greeting

Onyx
0:00
Shimmer
0:00

News

Onyx
0:00
Shimmer
0:00

Technical

Onyx
0:00
Shimmer
0:00

Emotional

Onyx
0:00
Shimmer
0:00

Dialog

Onyx
0:00
Shimmer
0:00

Voice Characteristics

CharacteristicOnyxShimmer
StyleBoldSoft
DescriptionStrong presence. Good for announcements and high-impact messaging.Most intimate tone. Suited for personal content and quiet moments.
Best Use Cases
  • Announcements
  • Trailers
  • Marketing content
  • Product launches
  • Event introductions
  • Personal messages
  • ASMR content
  • Intimate narration
  • Bedtime stories
  • Relaxation audio

Which Should You Choose?

Onyx commands attention. Shimmer creates intimacy.

O
Choose Onyx if:
  • +You need a bold tone for your content
  • +Your project involves announcements
  • +You want trailers capabilities
  • +Your audience will appreciate bold delivery
S
Choose Shimmer if:
  • +You need a soft tone for your content
  • +Your project involves personal messages
  • +You want asmr content capabilities
  • +Your audience will appreciate soft delivery
Pro Tip: Test Both Voices

The best way to make your decision is to test both voices with your actual content. Listen to the audio samples above with headphones, and consider generating test clips with your own scripts. Small differences in delivery can have significant impacts on user experience, so investing time in testing upfront will pay dividends.

Explore Individual Voices

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