Shure has been making audio products for nearly a hundred years, and in that time they’ve earned the adoration of some of history’s most popular musicians, cementing their status as one of the top names in the business. But while audio industry pros laud the brand’s technical prowess, you don’t often see their name brought up alongside typical consumer brands in discussions about what gear to get. That looks to change with the brand’s newest release, the Shure AONIC wireless headphones. These new models sport slick designs and are packed with the premium audio technology that Shure has honed over the last century, ticking all the right boxes to make them a consumer favorite.
First up are the Shure AONIC 50 wireless noise-cancelling headphones. These over-ear cans promise premium sound, and feature a build quality to match. Audio comes from a pair of full-range 50mm drivers pushed by a dedicated amp, for studio-quality sound. And compatibility with just about every high-end audio codec—aptX HD, Sony’s Hi-Res LDAC, AAC, among others—means that audio fidelity should match a traditional wired connection. The active noise cancelling features three stages of sensitivity, and can be adjusted through the ShurePlus PLAY app. Physical buttons on the side of the right earcup let you control playback, take phone calls, or turn off the active noise cancellation.
The Shure AONIC 50 headphones feature robust aluminum arms to stand up to constant use on the road, while a padded headband and cushy memory foam ear pads let you listen in comfort all day long—and with a claimed 20-hour battery life, you can do just that. The AONIC 50 are substantial, but a fold-flat design and included carrying case should make them a bit easier to travel with. Shure also includes a standard 3.5mm audio cable, so you can go on listening if your battery ever runs out.
Next up: the Shure AONIC 215 earphones, which feature the brand’s first truly wireless design. Shure has opted for a form factor that’s a little different than most of the truly wireless headphones on the market today, with an over-the-ear design that mimics that of their popular in-ear monitors. This, combined with Shure’s foam ear tips, should give them a secure fit that won’t come loose in even the most extreme situations. Those foam tips also give the AONIC 215 some pretty stellar noise isolation capabilities, blocking up to 37dB of outside noise. As this is a passive technology, it can’t be turned off, but for those times when you want to let the outside world in, Shure’s Environment Mode uses the earphones’ microphones to let you hear ambient noises. Passive noise isolation is a great alternative for users who get bothered by the ear canal pressure that many active noise cancelling headphones can induce.
One really great perk to the AONIC 215 headphones is that they still ascribe to Shure’s love of modularity. Though they’re designed primarily as a truly wireless device, an optional cable attachment means you can still use them with devices that don’t support wireless audio—like a plane entertainment system—or just revert to standard plugged connection when your batteries die. Battery life anxiety is still one of the most commonly-cited reasons people don’t choose truly wireless earbuds, and the Shure AONIC 215 offers a great remedy.
Both models use Bluetooth 5 for a secure wireless connection up to 30 feet from the audio source, utilize the ShurePlus PLAY app for access to equalizers and environment mode settings, and come covered by a two-year warranty. The Shure AONIC headphones are now in-stock and ready to ship.
For more information or to place an order call 815-271-3000