Over-Ear
Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2
78Great
$389
Full review dataShure Aonic 50 Gen 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM4 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM4 - Outstanding overall at around $300.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery9.0
Calls7.0
Value7.5
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $389 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2023 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 50 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 22,000 Hz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 39 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 97.5 dB/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Voice, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | 100 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 45 h | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 41 h | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | Yes |
| Controls | buttons | touch |
| Voice assistant | Alexa | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 334 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | 2 |
What reviewers said
Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2
These over-ear wireless headphones deliver a balanced, neutral sound signature with strong detail retrieval, backed by excellent battery endurance and a versatile feature set including adaptive ANC, multipoint pairing, and LDAC support. While the noise cancellation is competent rather than class-leading, the combination of customizable EQ, wired/wireless flexibility, and comfortable design makes them a solid all-rounder for discerning listeners.
- Pro:Excellent 45-hour battery life even with ANC active
- Pro:Balanced, detailed sound with customizable EQ
- Pro:Supports LDAC, AAC, and wired listening via USB-C
- Con:Noise cancellation is only average for the price
- Con:Sound presentation can feel reserved or unexciting
- Con:Physical controls may feel dated to some users
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ears that blend top-tier adaptive noise cancellation with a well-balanced, detailed sound signature. They offer a lengthy 30-hour battery, LDAC support, and a comfortable, lightweight build that still holds up well against newer competitors. With handy features like multipoint pairing, touch controls, and a quick charge function, they remain a versatile choice for daily use and travel.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Detailed, accurate audio with LDAC support
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight for long sessions
- Con:No dedicated aptX codec support
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium than price suggests
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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