Shure Aonic 50 (gen 2) Review

Now that USB-C audio is getting extra consideration, what’s to change into of the greats from the primary time round? Shure’s AONIC 50 used to be our pick out for the highest USB-C headphones for a number of years, however the corporate has simply launched its follow-up with a 2d era. However are the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) any just right? Let’s in finding out.

Editor’s word: that is the primary model of the thing. Updates will persist with because the marketplace adjustments.

What’s it like to make use of Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2)?

Like its predecessor, the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) are a high-end set of Energetic Noise Canceling (ANC) headphones that competes with the likes of the Bose, Sony, and Sennheiser crowd. Then again, not like those choices, Shure has elected to honor its track manufacturing spirit through making headphones that may resist tough remedy. The chassis of the headphones is aluminum, with a padded track-adjustable band and leather-analog ear pads. Despite the fact that this headset is chunky at 334g, the load is well-distributed and shouldn’t reason a lot neck pressure.

The Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) has 3.5mm analog and USB-C ports, although Shure positioned one on each and every earcup. This would possibly confuse listeners used to the cable striking from the left facet. For those who ever in finding your self on this conundrum, the yokes of the earcups hinge within the again, now not the entrance. Talking of the yokes, you probably have longer hair, take further particular care in shifting the ear cups round, because the hinge controlling the ear cups’ rotation has a tendency to snag your locks while you do.

Wearing slightly massive ear cups and deep padding, the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) may be very comfy for listening sessions of over an hour. I discovered convenience to be superb for the lengthy haul, however a few of my colleagues weren’t as inspired.

The headphones fold flat when now not in use and can also be stowed within the equipped sporting case for simple go back and forth. A USB-C cable, a three.5mm cable, and various documentation also are equipped.

Controls for the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) are basically targeted across the backside of the proper ear cup. We’re now not massive lovers of bodily buttons, however the headphones are compatible effectively sufficient that the presses aren’t more likely to dislodge your cans or compromise the seal.

There’s additionally a slider to change between 3 modes: Surroundings mode (a transparency mode), ANC off, and ANC on. You’ll be able to toggle those modes through shifting the slider to the highest, center, or backside, respectively.

Will have to you employ the Shure PLAY app for the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2)?

Shure’s app is likely one of the highest available in the market, in no small phase because of the equalizer serve as, this means that you’ll be able to experiment with parametric EQ settings. It’s one of the simplest ways to right kind your headphone’s sound if you wish to trade one thing. There are EQ presets, a “spatialize” mode, and different customizations to be had to you when you love to tinker. Moreover, the use of the app to get firmware updates is necessary, although those will occur every now and then.

I strongly recommend you check out the app to be sure to get the sound you need ahead of attaining any conclusions concerning the headphones.

How does the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) attach?

Referring to instrument compatibility, few headphones are extra flexible than the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) as a result of they may be able to use 3.5mm, USB-C, and a deep bench of Bluetooth formats. Whilst this will likely appear overkill, headphones are in a unusual spot now. Every connection manner is necessary for various segments of customers, and Shure as an organization made their empire on supplying musicians, venues, and manufacturers — so its apparatus normally doesn’t eschew the headphone jack. However with the greater uptake of USB-C audio and the evolution of Bluetooth to reinforce higher formats, it’s much less not unusual to pick out one transmission manner and make contact with it an afternoon.

This implies you don’t have to make use of other headphones for various contexts. As an example, you’ll be able to use the headphone cable while you use the headphones with older apparatus, change to Bluetooth while you’re out of the home, and in spite of everything use the USB-C cable on the pc when you’ll be able to experience lossless audio (at paintings, for instance).

For those who’re the kind of individual that thinks about formats, you don’t wish to. The Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) makes use of aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Voice, SBC, AAC, and LDAC. Now not unhealthy!

How lengthy does the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) battery final?

Underneath our usual take a look at prerequisites with ANC, the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) lasted for 41 hours and 29 mins. This is a little wanting the claimed 45-hour runtime however shut sufficient to make it an inexpensive estimate of battery lifestyles. In fact, your mileage may range in accordance with playback quantity, ANC mode, or interspersing listening periods with lengthy sessions of now not charging. Then again, it’s a just right ballpark for what you must be expecting.

How effectively does the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) cancel noise?

Because the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) is a collection of lively noise canceling headphones, it must come as no marvel that one in every of its major promoting issues is its skill to dispel outdoor noise. Then again, the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) isn’t in rivalry for the most efficient referring to noise attenuation on my own — it’s simply “k.”

Slide the transfer at the proper ear cup all of the method to the ground, and also you’ll understand that environmental noise beneath 1kHz will get 50 to 75% quieter. In real-world phrases, this equates to between 10 and 20dB of relief. Since the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) has massive ear cups that seal on your head effectively, the headphones don’t have any issue in bodily blockading out noise above 1kHz to the track of 30-40dB, this means that that extra grating appears like brake pads screeching will probably be decreased to beneath one-eighth the loudness they’re with out headphones on.

As a casual intestine test, I took those on Vancouver’s SkyTrain to peer how effectively they did, and with the exception of the unreasonably loud screeching at the Millennium line, the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) held their very own relatively effectively. This efficiency can be higher suited for an aircraft, however I don’t hop on flights on a daily basis.

How does the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) sound?

Most of the people will in finding the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) sound inoffensive, however any person aware of high-end audio will wish to set up Shure’s app to tinker. I say that as a result of there’s a dip within the mids that has effects on vocals, guitars, and maximum tools answerable for melody. In consequence, the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) doesn’t fit up as effectively to our headphone desire curve. Including a wide-band spice up of about 3-5dB round 420Hz is going an extended method to lessening the annoyance of this option. Don’t concern about clipping or including noise; the app is sensible sufficient to take care of the achieve and make sure these items don’t have an effect on your listening.

It’s possible you’ll understand that bass sounds are relatively emphasised over mids, and highs are particularly loud proper out of the field. For those who don’t do any equalizing, you could in finding that vocal-heavy tracks and vintage rock will probably be difficult to experience. Highs are oddly loud, whilst bass is inconsistent at highest. I came upon that September through Earth, Wind, and Fireplace misplaced the vocals an excessive amount of for my tastes, and the horns have been simply too piercing.

Then again, not one of the EQ presets deal with this, leaving you to bet how one can alter the parametric EQ when you in finding this facet of the sound stressful. For EQ presets that come shut, “Treble minimize” and “Bass spice up” are among the finest, however each and every has shortcomings. I will be able to say that lots of the EQ presets are various sun shades of “atypical,” and I didn’t in finding myself liking… any of them.

Are you able to use the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) for telephone calls?

The Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) has a tight mic array for telephone calls and ANC. We submit standardized samples so that you can pay attention for your self. Simply understand that name high quality continuously has extra to do together with your community than the microphones on your headset, however it’s price seeing what the efficiency ceiling may well be.

Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) microphone demo (Preferrred prerequisites):

Will have to you purchase the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2)?

For those who’re k tinkering with the app of the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2), it’s a worthy purchase. Then again, when you oppose adjusting your headphones’ sound, you will be at an advantage having a look at different high-end ANC choices. Nonetheless, it’s difficult to argue with at $349 when many competing choices on this phase are nearer to $400.

That mentioned, there’s numerous praise waiting for consumers of the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) when you’re prepared to position up with some tinkering. Having with regards to any Bluetooth codec available in the market, along side stressed and USB listening? Now not unhealthy. It’s extremely compelling now that many different headphone firms are moving into at the USB recreation about 5 years overdue.

What must you get as a substitute of the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2)?

For those who like what the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) has occurring, however you’re both having a look to spend much less or get extra, there are a couple of extra choices. The dialog starts and ends with the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wi-fi $284.23 at Amazon. At a equivalent worth, the Sennheiser headphones be offering the similar stressed listening choices, a kitchen-sink solution to Bluetooth formats, and just right sound high quality. The ANC efficiency is in a similar way middling, however its transparency mode is hit and miss. Nonetheless, it’s a lighter headset that makes use of contact controls, so it can be a winner for you.

For years now, the principle attention-getter within the ANC area has been Sony’s newest unlock, which is the WH-1000XM5 $387 at Amazon. Those headphones value greater than the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) however be offering higher ANC efficiency and luxury however and not using a USB-C audio, fewer Bluetooth formats, and lesser construct high quality. Now not wonderful issues to stint on while you’re spending a number of hundred greenbacks on headphones — but it surely’s a lot more straightforward to search out the ones cans on sale.

Normally, we reserve this area for every other advice. Nonetheless, as a substitute, we’re going so as to add a phrase of warning: when you’re having a look on the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) since you like the speculation of USB audio, you’re now not going to search out something within the Apple solid simply but. Recently, the AirPods Max $424.99 at Amazon doesn’t reinforce USB-C, and the competing Beats headphones — the Beats Studio Professional $349.99 at Amazon— don’t have a lot to provide that the Shure can’t do higher.