The outside world is loud.
If you commute, you know this all too well.
Most ANC modes silence low-end sounds better than high-pitched ones.
Image: Dua Rashid
But these headphones do not care.
High-pitched or low-pitched, it cancels everything.
I wish it were foldable, a little lighter, and had a more balanced sound profile.
Hard-shell, zippered carry case.Image: Dua Rashid
Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 ANC Headphones
The high-end, second iteration of the Shure Aonic 50 headphones.
VERDICT
Great choice if you want powerful ANC with a battery that lasts for days.
PRICE
$349
LIKE
Intuitive controls, clear mic, excellent ANC, and a long battery life.
Hard-shell, zippered carry case.Image: Dua Rashid
The Aonic 50 isnt the best travel buddy.
It doesnt fold and comes in a large carrying case that takes more space and weight than youd like.
Sony makes the same mistake with their flagship headphones, theWH-1000XM5.
Earcup padding.Image: Dua Rashid
I also wish these headphones were lighter as well.
Their 11.8-ounce body feels a bit heavy on your noggin.
For context, the WH-1000XM5 weighs 8.8 ounces.
Earcup controls.Image: Dua Rashid
Considering the Aonic 50s body is all plastic, its weighty build makes even little sense.
Shures latest headphones have been designed pretty well in terms of controls.
I love how every button has a different feel, so you dont run into missteps.
The earcups dont double as touch interfaces, and I am okay with that.
I loved the click and feel of physical buttons, especially because they were intuitive and straightforward.
Most ANC modes work well with low-end sounds, but these are also great for high-end noise.
Their sound, however, is less impressive than I expected.
Especially when theyve marketed the headphones for their studio-quality sound.
With a little tweaking, the Aonic 50 does sound better.
These headphones are definitely bass-heavy.
But it sounds like the bass is overpowering the other elements of the orchestra.
Overall, the music ended up sounding thick and lacked that high-end crispness and clarity.
Both of these pale in comparison to Aonics massive 45-hour battery life.
Aonic 50 Gen 2: Should You Buy It?
Yes, if youre looking for powerful ANC and a long battery life.
Shures Aonic 50shines in multiple areas.
They offer intuitive controls, a clear mic, excellent ANC, and a huge battery life.
But Sonys flagship headphones, at $330, provide great ANC, too.
The considerable difference in battery life is where it’s possible for you to say Shures headphones truly shine.
Its also more than double what Apples over-ear headphones offer.
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