American audio merchandise producer Shure is greatest identified for its skilled and audiophile-grade headphones, earphones, and microphones, utilized in recording studios the world over. Though common customers can purchase and use Shure merchandise fairly simply, solely purists and audiophiles are more likely to benefit from the type of sound that Shure often has to supply with its headphones and earphones.
The corporate is now trying to change that method a bit bit with its wi-fi Aonic lineup, which was launched earlier this yr at CES. The Shure Aonic 50 is the dearer of the 2 merchandise launched within the Aonic vary, and is priced at Rs. 33,999 in India. With wi-fi connectivity, energetic noise cancellation, and extensive Bluetooth codec help, the Shure Aonic 50 goes up towards the brand new Sony WH-1000XM4, in addition to the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 and Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless.
Is the Shure Aonic 50 the very best pair of wi-fi headphones you should purchase proper now? Can this purist model match as much as the very totally different wants of normal customers, simply as Sony and Bose have? Discover out in our overview.
The Shure Aonic 50 goes up towards the not too long ago launched Sony WH-1000XM4
Technically superior, plenty of Bluetooth codecs supported on the Shure Aonic 50
The Shure Aonic 50 does price nicely over Rs. 30,000, however it appears and feels fully well worth the worth. It is stunning and well-built, and is arguably probably the most sophisticated-looking premium wi-fi headset I’ve utilized in current instances. It is a large, heavy pair of headphones at 334g, however it’s additionally very snug over lengthy listening classes and affords correct passive isolation that ensures the effectiveness of the energetic noise cancellation.
Though the ear casings are made of straightforward plastic — matte black or brown — the headset feels stable. The Shure brand glistens attractively. The brushed aluminium arms, delicate padding on the ears and underside of the headscarf, and textured end on the highest of the headscarf add to the class of the Shure Aonic 50.
The hinges and folding mechanism are a bit agency, and the headset solely folds flat, however there’s sufficient flexibility and room for motion to make sure a safe match. Additionally included within the gross sales bundle are a really giant arduous carry case, a stereo cable, and a USB Sort-C cable for charging. Apparently, you can too use the USB Sort-C port to attach the Shure Aonic 50 on to a USB supply gadget for digital output. This labored each with the included Sort-C to Sort-A cable linked to a laptop computer, in addition to with a Sort-C to Sort-C cable linked to an Android smartphone.
Whereas some manufacturers are adopting swipe and gesture-based controls, Shure has caught to basic buttons for a tactile really feel and ease of use. There are buttons for energy, playback, and quantity management, and a slider that permits you to select between hear-through, energetic noise cancellation, and normal listening modes. Additionally on the best is the USB Sort-C port for charging, whereas the left has a 2.5mm stereo jack to attach the included 2.5mm-to-3.5mm stereo cable for wired listening.
I am used to seeing some noteworthy options on premium headphones corresponding to put on detection and gesture controls, so it’s kind of shocking that the Shure Aonic 50 is fairly easy in its method. There’s nothing fancy right here, and every little thing is managed manually, however it all works because it’s presupposed to. Though they may appear old style, the headphones greater than make up for this within the core specs.
All main Bluetooth codecs, together with aptX and LDAC, are supported on the Shure Aonic 50
The Shure Aonic 50 is makes use of 50mm dynamic drivers and has a frequency response vary of 20-22,000Hz. For connectivity, the headphones have Bluetooth 5, and you can too plug them in to a headphone jack on a supply gadget utilizing the included cable. Shure helps all main Bluetooth codecs, together with SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, and LDAC, making certain the very best transmission of information no matter what you utilize as a wi-fi supply gadget.
Shure has a companion app for the Aonic 50 headphones known as ShurePlus Play, which is on the market on iOS and Android. The app covers the fundamentals by letting you management the degrees of energetic noise cancellation (Regular or Max mode) and the hear-through mode (10 adjustment factors). You too can replace the firmware, modify the equaliser, and make different small tweaks to the headphones. Apparently, the app additionally works as a music participant, categorising and itemizing the small print of audio tracks in your gadget. Whereas I did not usually use the music participant within the app, it did come in useful for fast reference whereas adjusting the equaliser and noise cancellation settings.
Battery life on the Shure Aonic 50 is claimed to be round 20 hours of listening, and I used to be capable of match this declare fairly simply with energetic noise cancellation enabled, and largely utilizing the LDAC Bluetooth codec. Though not fairly as spectacular because the battery life provided by many Sony headphones, this can be a first rate sufficient determine given the shape issue and options on supply.
Detailed, analytical sound on the Shure Aonic 50
There’s little or no tolerance for variation in sonic signature within the studio; sound professionals want the tools to be as impartial and balanced as doable to make sure they’re listening to it as supposed. Shure headphones and earphones often have a flat, impartial, and detailed sonic signature, and the Shure Aonic 50 sticks to this method regardless of being marketed as an on a regular basis pair of headphones.
Consequently, the Shure Aonic 50 is probably probably the most detailed, analytical, and to-the-point pair of wi-fi headphones you should purchase proper now, due to centered tuning and extensive Bluetooth codec help. This method is great in the event you’re searching for element and accuracy above all else, however would possibly come throughout as a bit too managed in the event you’re used to your headphones having a little bit of ‘flavour’, so to talk.
A slider on the headset enables you to management the energetic noise cancellation and hear-through modes
Beginning with high-resolution audio, Golden Brown by The Stranglers streamed utilizing Tidal Masters instantly demonstrated the talents of the Shure Aonic 50. That is an extremely detailed pair of headphones, capable of preserve tempo with this busy and fantastically haunting monitor with ease, capturing each trace of nuance within the recording and making it sound distinct. The luxuriously spacious soundstage gave every factor a definite sense of course and positioning, including a powerful notion of depth to this stereo recording.
Transferring on to Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On encoded with Dolby Atmos Music, the spacious soundstage of the Shure Aonic 50 was actually in its factor. The headphones supply a near-realistic soundstage that simulates a sound much better than primary stereo separation, and the faintest particulars within the monitor might be heard distinctly and nearly exactly positioned throughout the digital stage.
The Shure Aonic 50 sounds good even in the event you’re listening to common high-resolution tracks or compressed streaming audio, however utilizing higher-quality supply materials had a particular and audible impression on efficiency. The exact nature of the sound signifies that the Aonic 50 will even be fast to show flaws or weaknesses within the recordings, and that is one thing that needs to be saved in thoughts in the event you’re contemplating selecting up these headphones.
Additionally price noting is that the balanced, pure sonic signature of the Shure Aonic 50 is probably not for everybody. When mixed with the LDAC Bluetooth codec or when used as a wired headset with a USB cable for transmission, the headphones got here throughout as too sharp, focusing extra on the small print than anything. This usually meant that tracks did not fairly sound as entertaining or enjoyable as on different headphones such because the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 or premium Sony wi-fi headsets.
Though giant and heavy, the Shure Aonic 50 is snug
The bass usually felt a bit too laidback, the highs had been a bit sharp and piercing, and the mid-range was usually a bit too loud and intense. Whereas audiophiles and purists will certainly recognize this consideration to element and neutrality with particular sorts of music, on a regular basis listeners would possibly discover the headphones a bit uninteresting and missing in drive.
The often vigorous Mild It Up by Main Lazer did not fairly invoke as a lot emotion in me with the Shure Aonic 50 as on the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless. The thump and drive within the bass of this digital monitor had been too muted, and this took away a lot of this dance monitor’s enjoyable. Apparently, listening to the identical monitor utilizing a distinct supply gadget with the Qualcomm aptX codec in use did give the sound a bit extra character, suggesting that the codec can play a big half in telling the headphones sound.
Lively noise cancellation on the Shure Aonic 50 is spectacular, however is probably a bit too intense on the most stage. Whereas there was a particular discount in ambient sound, it additionally made for a really deep ‘silence’ impact that was a bit unnerving even for me. You may cut back the extent of noise cancellation via the app, however there are solely two ranges to select from – Regular and Max. Regular mode did not do sufficient, and I would have appreciated to have had extra granular management, as is feasible on Bose and Sony headphones. Name high quality was additionally first rate on the Shure Aonic 50, and I had no hassle in any respect with voice calls throughout my time with the headphones.
Verdict
Shure’s first-ever wi-fi headset is strictly what you’d anticipate from the corporate — detailed, analytical, and nearly probably the most insightful pair of wi-fi headphones you will discover. The Shure Aonic 50 appears good, feels nice, and is targeted on what issues probably the most — getting as a lot out of an audio monitor as doable. This can be a technically adept pair of wi-fi headphones that’s among the many greatest you should purchase at this time.
All of that stated, many would possibly discover the sound too impartial — the sonic signature positively is not for everybody. You may want entry to high-resolution and binaural audio tracks to actually get the very best out of those headphones as nicely, whereas choices from Bose and Sony are much more forgiving of normal audio high quality. The dearth of flexibility within the energetic noise cancellation additionally may be an issue — it is both a bit a lot or not sufficient, with no ranges in between.
The Shure Aonic 50 is amongst my favorite premium wi-fi headsets for quite a few causes, however in the event you’re spending this a lot cash, you could make sure of what you need. If this stage of insightfulness is not for you, it would make sense to have a look at choices from Bose and Sony; the not too long ago launched Sony WH-1000XM4 particularly may be price contemplating as nicely.
Value: Rs. 33,999
Professionals
- Appears to be like good, nicely constructed
- Very snug, diverse connectivity choices
- Technically superior, plenty of Bluetooth codecs supported
- Detailed, analytical, insightful sound
- Luxuriously extensive soundstage
Cons
- Lively noise cancellation not very customisable
- Balanced sonic signature is not for everybody
Scores (out of 5)
- Design/ consolation: 4.5
- Audio high quality: 4
- Battery life: 4
- Worth for cash: 3.5
- General: 4
The right way to discover the very best offers throughout on-line gross sales? We mentioned this on Orbital, our weekly expertise podcast, which you’ll be able to subscribe to by way of Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or RSS, download the episode, or simply hit the play button beneath.
