Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones Review
Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 is the bigger brother of the Shure Aonic 40 and the successor to the Shure Aonic 50.
The number 50 in the product name means it uses 50mm dynamic drivers, which Shure custom-engineered.
Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound powers Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2, which means it supports most codecs, including aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Voice, AAC, SBC, and Sony LDAC.
You can listen using the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 in three ways: Bluetooth 5, 2.5mm analog audio cable, and USB-C cable (for high-resolution audio).
On paper, a full charge can last you about 45 hours of listening time. A quick 15-minute charge will give you about 5 hours of listening time.
Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 retails for S$569 on Shure Singapore Online Store. You can use the discount code LESTER10 to get a 10% storewide discount on the Shure Singapore Online Store.
Unboxing
The packaging includes the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2, a quick start guide, an owner’s manual, a USB-C to USB-A cable, and a 2.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable.
Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 uses 2.5mm audio cable instead of the more popular 3.5mm audio cable.
Interestingly, there is a cable tie that secures the zip of the carrying case with the loop. It was the first time I had seen such a design.
There are also two foam pads that you need to remove near the joints of the headband. It doesn’t leave behind any sticky residue, so you are good.
Design
Unlike the Shure Aonic 40 and Shure Aonic 50, the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 is only available in one black color.
The body of the headphones is made of aluminum, while the earcups are made of plastic.
The top of the adjustable padded headband is covered with faux leather.
Overall, the build quality is good and has a premium feel.
On the left earcup is the 2.5mm audio port. I wish Shure had used the standard 3.5mm audio port instead. At least, it is universal.
The controls and USB-C port are on the right earcup.
Here is the breakdown of the controls:
Unlike the USB-C port of the Sony WH-1000XM5, which is used for charging the headphones only, the USB-C port of the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 has two purposes. You can use it to charge or listen to up to 32-bit/384 kHz high-resolution audio.
ShurePlus PLAY app
The ShurePlus PLAY app is available on iOS and Android, and you can fully customize your preferences on your Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 headphones.
One of the unique features is the ability to customize the equalizer to cater to different types of music. You can also choose the preset one if it is too advanced. I am using the preset one, and those are good enough for me.
The slider is also customizable using the ShurePlus PLAY app. By default, when sliding to the top, it toggles the environment, and Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) is at the bottom. I have changed it to toggle three equalizers instead.
Earlier, I mentioned using the USB-C port for high-resolution audio listening. However, if you decide on this setting, the microphones and some listening features will be disabled. Again, you can set this in the USB Audio Mode settings.
Comfort
The weight of the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 is 338g, making it between the Apple AirPods Max at 416g and the Sony WH-1000XM4 at 251g. Compared to the Apple AirPods Max, it is still comfortable to wear for long hours. In terms of comfort, I still prefer the weight of the Sony WH-1000XM4.
Portability
The earcups of the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 can not be folded. You keep it by rotating the earcups so the headphones are flat. It is similar to the Apple AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM5. So, in terms of portability, I still prefer the Sony WH-1000XM4 because the earcups can be folded, making it more compact.
Audio Quality
The Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 audio quality is good, coming from a non-audiophile. I enjoyed playing around with different equalizer presets for different types of music. And those make a difference.
Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)
The ANC capability is one area that the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 needs to improve. It doesn’t cancel out noise well after testing it with my Airplane Cabin White Noise Jet Sounds. Apple AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones did much better. I have untrained ears, and I still can tell the difference.
Conclusion
The Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2, weighing 338g, falls between the Apple AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM4 in terms of weight, offering comfort for extended wear. However, its non-foldable earcups affect portability, contrasting with the compact design of the Sony WH-1000XM4.
The audio quality is good and comes with a customizable equalizer with presets. If you are into high-resolution audio, Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 supports that via its USB-C port.
On the downside, the active noise-canceling (ANC) feature requires improvement, as it lags behind competitors like the Apple AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM4, noticeable even to untrained ears during tests with airplane cabin white noise.
If you are inserted in the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 or any items in the Shure Singapore Online Store, you can use the discount code LESTER10 to get a 10% storewide discount on the Shure Singapore Online Store.
