Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM6 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 89. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM6 - Outstanding overall at around $398.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on 5 of 7 measures.

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2
Sony WH-1000XM6

HearWiki score

Sound

8.0

9.0

Noise cancelling

5.2

9.6

Battery

8.8

8.1

Calls

5.5

9.6

Value

5.6

8.2

Price (USD)

$390

$400

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025) against Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 (2023). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2 and LE Audio (LC3). It also adds Wear detection.

Aonic 50 Gen 22023
WH-1000XM620252 yr newer

What differsAonic 50 Gen 2WH-1000XM6

Bluetooth: 5.2; 5.3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes

Level on: Top codec, ANC type, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

Aonic 50 Gen 2WH-1000XM6

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $390; $400
HearWiki score: 71; 89
Released: 2023; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 50 mm dynamic; 30 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 50 mm; 30 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 22 kHz; 4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 39 Ω; 48 Ω
Sensitivity: 97.5 dB/mW; 103 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.2; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Voice, aptX Adaptive, LDAC; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: 100 m; 10 m
Battery life: 45 h; 40 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 30 h
Full charge time: -; 210 min
Quick charge: -; 3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging: No; No
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; buttons
Voice assistant: Alexa; Yes
Weight: 334 g; 254 g
Water resistance: none; none
Foldable: Yes; -
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Connector: 3.5 mm; 3.5 mm
Model code: MH36458; -
Microphones: 6; 12
Microphone type: -; MEMS

Specification comparison of Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Spec	Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2	Sony WH-1000XM6
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$390	$400
HearWiki score	71 / 100 Good	89 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2023	2025
Audio
Driver	50 mm dynamic	30 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	50 mm	30 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 22 kHz	4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	39 Ω	48 Ω
Sensitivity	97.5 dB/mW	103 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.2	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Voice, aptX Adaptive, LDAC	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	100 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	45 h	40 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	30 h
Full charge time	-	210 min
Quick charge	-	3 min → 3 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	buttons
Voice assistant	Alexa	Yes
Design
Weight	334 g	254 g
Water resistance	none	none
Foldable	Yes	-
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Connector	3.5 mm	3.5 mm
Model code	MH36458	-
Calls
Microphones	6	12
Microphone type	-	MEMS

What reviewers said

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2

The Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 are over-ear wireless headphones that deliver a balanced, neutral sound with strong detail retrieval, making them a solid pick for critical listening. They offer excellent battery life, extensive codec support including LDAC and aptX Adaptive, and useful features like adaptive ANC, transparency mode, and a customizable EQ, though their noise cancellation isn't the most potent in the category. With a foldable, wired-capable design and 45-hour playback, they're a versatile option for both home and travel use.

Pro:Excellent 45-hour battery life
Pro:Wide codec support including LDAC and aptX Adaptive
Pro:Balanced, neutral sound with good detail

Con:Noise cancellation is decent but not class-leading
Con:Heavier than some competitors at 334g
Con:Lacks water resistance

Sony WH-1000XM6

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a premium over-ear wireless headphone that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with a long-lasting battery and support for high-quality audio codecs. It features multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and a transparent mode, making it a versatile choice for both focused listening and everyday commutes. With a lightweight build and tactile controls, it balances comfort and functionality for extended use.

Pro:Adaptive active noise cancellation for personalized silencing
Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless device switching
Pro:Transparency mode for ambient awareness when needed

Con:No water resistance rating for wet conditions
Con:No wireless charging option
Con:Relies on physical buttons rather than touch controls

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparison Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 Sony WH-1000XM6