Expansive sound, clarity and resolution, excellent call quality, good ANC
AGAINST
Non-folding earcups, huge carry-case, expensive
If the size of the box is any indication to its performance, Shure’s first ANC on-ear have already won the battle. With such a large design, anything less than 50mm drivers would only be a disservice and the Aonic 50 delivers on that front. Along with generous use of exposed aluminium hinges, quality plastic on the earcups and stitched leather on the headband give it a no-nonsense look. Perfectly damped headband size adjustment along with indentations make for a precise fit on both the ears and is a gentle reminder of Shure’s professional heritage. It’s not the cheapest in its segment and it certainly feels premium.
Not big on features despite being big on size, it’s evident that sound-quality was given utmost importance here. Non-touch earcups and limited support for voice assistants (Siri works well, but silently), but the Aonic 50 make their presence felt on your head with a well-judged grip. ShurePLUS Play is the app that acts as a gateway for firmware updates, comprehensive EQ settings and even a music player that supports Hi-Res and MQA. The EQ strangely only works if you use the built-in music player and while it integrates well with Apple Music, using a lot of other services isn’t possible. The EQ does make a remarkable improvement to the sound, depending on your preference.
This story is from the August 2020 edition of What Hi-Fi.
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This story is from the August 2020 edition of What Hi-Fi.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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