Shure is among the true veterans within the audio trade, recognized for its legendary recording gear. Lately, these skills have unfold towards constructing top-tier headphones. The second-generation Aonic 50 are the newest addition to the lineup, a refresh of the unique that improves battery life and sound high quality whereas including ANC and extra connectivity choices than virtually any headphones available on the market.
Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2
Shure’s second technology Aonic 50 headphones mix studio-quality sound and capabilities with consumer-friendly options and connectivity. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound, these assist audio enter via quite a few Bluetooth codecs, USB-C, and a pair of.5mm AUX. Listeners can make the most of Spatialized Audio, ANC, and a customizable EQ for an improved listening expertise that lasts as much as 45 hours.
- Battery Life
- 45 hours
- Microphones
- 6
- Weight
- 340g
- Dimensions
- 199 x 203 x 48mm
- Noise Cancellation
- Sure
- Foldable
- No
- IP ranking
- N/A
- Charging sort
- USB-C
- On-ear or over-ear
- Over-ear
- Wired or wi-fi
- Each
- Driver dimension
- 50mm
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5
- Supported codecs
- AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, SBC, Sony LDAC
- Movable mic
- No
- Value
- $349
- Case included
- Sure
- Studio-quality sound
- Customizable EQ
- 45-hour battery life
- Stable construct high quality
- Barely expensive
- Heavier than common
Value and availability
The Aonic 50 Gen 2 headphones are priced at $349, down from the $399 price ticket of the unique. Whereas there have been beforehand two shade choices, the second technology comes solely in an all-black colorway. Shure sells instantly via its web site and licensed sellers like Amazon, B&H Picture, and Adorama.
{Hardware} and design
Journey-friendly(-ish)
The second-generation Aonic 50 headphones carry ahead many of the seen design traits of the unique. They share the identical heavy-duty adjustable metallic body, a pillowy lining for the scarf and earcups, and a metallic single-arm yoke that takes a flip behind the ears.
Shure opted to go black from high to backside with the Gen 2, forsaking the silver yokes and two colorway choices of the unique. I do not thoughts the choice, however seeing trendy electronics eschewing accent colours or different aesthetic variations that stand out in a crowd is uncommon.
The unique was additionally designed to fold up for journey, however the brand new model adopts a twisting body that turns the earcups flat, producing a thinner profile that matches inside baggage or backpacks. Though, the footprint is now wider, which may be unwieldy for smaller baggage. A shallow journey case is included and presents a built-in stretchy pocket for stowing cables and adapters. It is sturdy sufficient, albeit somewhat tight on the earcups. I really feel compelled so as to add that it has an abnormally loud zipper that may very well be dangerous to function close to anyone sleeping.
I discovered the headphones suitably snug, however this may very well be a combined bag for some folks. Weighing in at 340g, these are lighter than the AirPods Max at 385g, however considerably heavier than the 250g-300g common. For instance, Sony’s WH-1000XM5 have an identical design whereas weighing solely 250g. I am high-quality with heavier headsets, as I anticipate most individuals are, however it could not match everyone’s style.
I commend the open U-shape of the body, which avoids urgent the earcups collectively and ruining them even once they’re not being worn. There’s sufficient area for a pleasant match on common and smaller heads, however I believe the clamping drive may be uncomfortable on large skulls.
The earcups are coated in fake leather-based and have a agency padding that retains them cozy via lengthy classes. They’re replaceable, which is nice in the event that they put on down or degrade or if replacements are put in with completely different supplies. I solely want the earcups have been barely wider and a centimeter or two deeper — however I all the time need more room.
Buttons are lined up on the suitable ear, offering energy, quantity, and play/pause controls. There’s additionally a slider that may be mapped to both completely different audio presets or ANC modes.
The Aonic 50 gen 2 exemplifies versatility because of a USB-C supporting as much as 32-bit/384kHz audio (and charging) on the suitable facet and a traditional 2.5mm (TRRS) jack on the left — to not point out Bluetooth. My solely grievance is the selection of two.5mm. Virtually every little thing makes use of 3.5mm, and it is a lot simpler to buy alternative cables when each ends are matched.
The field contains two cables: 2.5mm (TRRS) to three.5mm (TRS) and USB A-to-C. Each are coated in plastic and have a tendency to tangle and emphasize microphonics (noise from rubbing in opposition to something). Given the worth level, I would love braided nylon, however that is a small grievance when they are often changed with nicer cables for just some bucks.
Audio and ANC
Nicely-balanced expertise
Out of the field, the default tuning is well-balanced throughout the board, delivering a gentle tonal U-curve. Bass notes stand their floor properly and are available via clearly with out turning into overpowering. Treble could also be a contact over-emphasized, however you would be hard-pressed to note it except a monitor already leans closely into shrill tones. The mids sound nice for tracks with trendy mastering, however a variety of older and vocal-focused music could really feel a bit empty, so a mild EQ enhance helps — there’s an ideal preset for that.
This normal expertise feels crafted to be inoffensive. It sounds good, however would not take any dangers. With that mentioned, these 50mm drivers are able to some outstanding vary that will not be realized with out diving into the EQ. It is simple sufficient to configure a deeper curve to get that Beats-like sound, if that is your style, or tune for a impartial tone to make use of for studio work.
Spatial audio and ANC modes
I did not get as a lot out of the Spatializer modes as I anticipated. Music mode definitely provides the very best quality to music listening, and Cinema mode is a little more impactful for motion and large dramatic moments. Nonetheless, I by no means felt prefer it was ever actually value it to change out of Music mode. There’s additionally a Podcast mode and easily turning the function off, however I did not really feel both was essential.
ANC is available in three ranges: Gentle, Average, and Max. Variations are delicate, however detectable. None of them actually wipe out surrounding noises, however they do a serviceable job of muffling them. MaxAware can also be accessible as a type of transparency mode that helps configurable ranges. The app additionally supplies toggles to listen to your self on calls and to robotically activate transparency when there is not any sound streaming to the headphones. The earcups present some isolation with a superb seal, however once more, they muffle the skin world.
Battery and charging
Not the quickest charger
I by no means managed to get a exact accounting of a rundown take a look at, however Shure claims 45 hours of battery life. I can confidently say that it took over two weeks of normal utilization earlier than I obtained a low battery warning at (I feel) 15% remaining. After all, this may occasionally range with the usage of ANC, completely different audio modes, connection sort, and quantity ranges.
Quick charging is supported; about quarter-hour ought to web about 5 hours of use. That mentioned, it takes some time to totally high up the battery. My final full cost took roughly 2 hours, but it surely wasn’t the quickest charger.
App and options
The Aonic 50 Gen 2 is a powerhouse with Bluetooth codecs. Shure went all-in with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound platform, together with aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Voice, AAC, SBC, and Sony LDAC. The one factor lacking is the non-proprietary LC3 codecs, however assist for that’s nonetheless very restricted.
The Play app by Shure is engaging and straightforward to make use of. There aren’t a ton of additional choices, so there is not any deep structure of screens or menus to get slowed down with.
The one catch is that it is truly somewhat too straightforward to by accident again out of the app, and reopening requires a number of seconds to reconnect. Apart from the principle settings, there is a tab for the equalizer. I strongly encourage hopping in to check out the seven presets, then begin creating a few of your individual.
I recognize that the bodily slider could be mapped to a couple issues, together with ANC modes, Spatializer modes, and even your individual equalizer presets. I finally settled on the latter as a result of I did not want to alter modes practically as usually as I needed to change equalizer settings for various music.
Competitors
The Aonic 50 Gen 2 actually units itself aside by providing the trifecta of enter choices: AUX, USB-C, and Bluetooth. Because of the distinctive tonal vary and hi-res audio assist, it is also aimed extra instantly on the audiophile and studio crowd.
There is no denying that the 2 best-known headphones on this class are the Bose QuietComfort Extremely and the Sony WH-1000XM5. We have executed a extra in-depth comparability of the 2, however the lengthy and in need of it’s that they carry greater value tags principally tied to higher ANC and some added options. Nevertheless, they nonetheless fall behind on battery life and should not fairly scratch that audiophile itch.
Must you purchase them?
The Aonic 50 Gen 2 headphones aren’t the flashiest or most feature-packed available on the market, however when sound high quality issues, Shure delivers for severe listeners. They sound nice out of the field and simply elevate to incredible for anyone prepared to place a small quantity of effort into the EQ.
With presumably essentially the most connectivity choices accessible in headphones, they can be utilized with absolutely anything. ANC is not the strongest, but it surely’s nonetheless sufficient to melt exterior noise. The worth places these into the higher-end market, together with another sturdy rivals, however Shure carved out a distinct segment to which no different headphones can declare.
Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2
Shure’s second-generation Aonic 50 headphones mix studio-quality sound and capabilities with consumer-friendly options and connectivity. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound, these assist audio enter via quite a few Bluetooth codecs, USB-C, and a pair of.5mm AUX. Listeners can use Spatialized Audio, ANC, and a customizable EQ for an improved listening expertise that lasts as much as 45 hours.
