Shure Earbuds, Black, Aonic 4

Product Information

They’re strong performers in a lot of areas though, and if you’re looking for a premium pair of noise-cancelling headphones with some of Shure’s famous audio pedigree, the Aonic 50s are worth a listen. To test headphones is to invite them into your life – how the case fits in your bag is just as important as how they slip onto your head. These cans became my daily musical companion – after a thorough run-in period.And just as Shure is a trusted name in audio, I now trust these headphones to work every day, regardless of how you're connecting to your music source, without fail. Wireless connectivity is via Bluetooth 5, which is more than enough to a) offer a competitive 20 hours of battery life and b) get Hi-Res Audio files like MQA-powered Tidal Masters on board without alarms. Support for every worthwhile codec (including aptX HD, LDAC and aptX Low Latency) is included too.

The battery level is more than sufficient at 45 hours, the build is classy, the companion app is excellent and the multipoint pairing experience has never let me down. Adding to the versatility of the Aonic 5 is a low impedance of 36 Ohms. Perfect for satisfying output on laptops and smartphones. I do prefer a DAC with these earphones, as they help to even out some of the powerful signal information the Aonic 5 will produce. If you’re using a laptop or smartphone, be careful and watch your input gain.It's a relatively minor issue and one only noticeable in direct comparison against the likes of the Focal Bathys and Edifier Stax Spirit S3, but it's our job to notice. Otherwise, we're treated to a detailed mix with plenty of dynamic rise and fall through the mids and a decent serving of snappy bass weight. But there's more! The Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2's bid for inclusion in our best wireless headphones guide culminates in a special USB-C port not just for charging. It means hi-res USB audio is also on the menu (look over here, iPhone 15 and Apple Music users!) thus completing a veritable banquet of connectivity options, from wireless Bluetooth audio pinged from your phone, older sources in a more traditional wired hi-fi system, right up to USB-C audio from your MacBook Pro at work. If that sounds good to you, add these headphones to your list. I enjoyed the Aonic’s sense of personalization and versatility. Shure has shown that one earphone can try to do it all, and for the most part, the Aonic 5 succeeded. However, accessibility can be an issue, and this IEM can be a hard sell for some. I found that the more you put into the Aonic 5, the more it delivers. Some may just need an IEM that has a flat, neutral response for monitoring, and the Aonic 5 does that very well, but for a more textured, satisfying sound signature, it definitely benefits from outboard gear.

If this doesn’t work, or your headphones don’t automatically go into pairing mode, you’ll need to empty the list of paired devices. To do this, you must: A device like the AudioQuest DragonFly Red would be a good starting place. Provided you’ve got the appropriate cable, it’s a DAC that can also be used with iOS or Android devices too. The smooth metal arms that attach to each earcup feel especially solid. They twist just above the earcups, which allows them to fold flat, but there’s also just enough freedom so they can twist in the other direction and help angle the earpads on the side of your head and over your ears properly. At a glance, of course, the AONIC 50 look pretty much like every other pair of pricey noise-cancelling over-ear headphones around. The detachable leather-and-memory-foam earpads are attached to robust plastic earcups, which in turn are connected to a leather-covered headband via aluminum arms. These articulate through 90 degrees to allow the AONIC 50 to lie flat, and are heftily damped through the hinges.An understated build, but a quality one, to be sure. (Image credit: Future) Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 review: Price & release date If you’re happy with the price tag and can resist the bells and whistles promised by wireless earbuds, you'd be crazy not to give the Shure Aonic 3 a chance.

Engineered from decades of experience in earphone development, the AONIC 5 Sound Isolating™ Earphones feature spacious, remarkable sound with clean, natural bass through three high-definition balanced armature drivers. Experience comfort and immersive, customizable audio with selectable frequency response. That said, there are a few major contenders here, obviously - and they’re mostly more affordable than the Shures. A svelte but durable hard-shell case with a useful strap. (Image credit: Future) Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 review: Sound quality Aonic CEO Paul Schempp added: "NDreams has done an unparalleled job bringing some of the biggest VR titles to market, and it was a natural fit for us to welcome them to the Aonic family and provide our studios with the best team when it comes to the VR/MR gaming space. puts you in control of your audio experience. Select balanced, warm or bright audio through removable nozzles for three unique sound signatures.

How long does the Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) battery last?

Slightly recessed on the warm nozzle, detailed and sparkly on the neutral, and an acquired taste on the bright nozzle. Although I am a fan of some brighter textures, the Aonic 5 really emphasizes them, and that may put some people off. The big imaging works on the low and mid bands, but the size of the highs on both the neutral and bright setting is very heavy. The app is more than simply for control, though. In fact, it’s fundamentally a hi-res music player - all major file types catered for, up to a maximum 24bit/352kHz where WAV and FLAC files are concerned. Any locally stored music can be arranged into playlists and so on, and can be run through the app’s EQ settings – there are a few presets and the facility to save quite a number of custom settings too.

We start listing with the slider in the default neutral position, which means no sound mode is engaged. The Shures get off to a strong start, thanks to their clean and transparent presentation. They are nicely balanced with crisp highs and pinpoint, precise lows either side of a solid midrange.

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

Given this is new ground for Shure, the Aonic 50s are a solid first attempt at a pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones. In conclusion, I’m simply grateful that we have the many easily available music choices available today. There’s no need to think of MQA as a threat, but rather another option we as consumers have to enjoy great sounding music anywhere at anytime, especially in light of current world situations. We need music! ✌ Reply