Updated Impressions:
Now that I've spent a few more hours with these, here's my updated impressions. First, I'll address a couple of minor issues I've noticed with these so far. They're what I call early adopter issues.
1) It's very difficult to update the firmware via the app in iOS. I was finally able to update the firmware after doing a couple of things within iOS. First, I had to prevent my phone from locking. Basically keep my screen always on. Second, I had to turn off all notifications. And finally, I had to keep my phone right next to my headphones. After doing these 3 things, I was finally able to complete the update although it still took a few tries. Hopefully Shure will provide an update that will fix this.
2) When switching from Environmental Mode to ANC Mode, sometimes the headphones get a boost in volume. It's weird because it doesn't happen every time. This isn't a big deal but thought I'd mention it because it's very noticeable when it happens. To be honest, I hope Shure fixes this and actually changes the default volume to the raised volume I get when this change happens. It would make these headphones as loud as the Beats Studio 3 which is the loudest ANC headphone I've heard. The current default volume is in line with the Momentums which is still good. Louder than my Dali iO-6 which are low in volume compared to most other ANC headphones.
Design/Looks/Build Quality
I love the design of these. I chose to go with the Brown color and the look is super classy. I love how the head band sits flush with my head. It doesn't bulge out on the sides like many headphones. These pass my wear out in public test with flying colors. The dark brown actually matches perfectly with my brown leather jacket
. I won't get too much into build quality because to me, it's best rated over time when you can see how the build quality has held up. But I will say there's no squeaks, creeks, or noticeable defects of any kind.
Comfort
In short, these are the second most comfortable wireless headphones I have ever worn, second only to the Bose QC35 / Bose 700. They are right behind them with the Bose getting the slight edge only due to being lighter. The Sony 1000XM3 are really close to these in comfort as well. The Sonys are lighter, but I give these the slight nod as my ears don't heat up quite as much as they did with the Sonys. I love how the weight is distributed with the Aonics. There is literally NO pressure points at all. One of few headphones that I can forget I'm wearing. Now, we all have different head shapes and sizes so your mileage may vary.
Features
Let's see. Supports multiple codecs including Qualcomm aptX, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency audio, Sony LDAC, AAC, and SBC, there's an environmental/awareness mode, 2 levels of ANC, the ability to be paired to two devices at the same time, an App that has an EQ and firmware updates, 20 hour battery life, passive wired listening that sounds amazing, and active USBC listening which is mind blowing as well. What's there to really complain about? But seriously, the Environmental/Awareness mode on this is the best I've heard yet on a wireless ANC headphone even surpassing the Apple Airpods Pro. This is honestly my favorite feature of these headphones. There's 10 levels to the awareness mode. 10 basically enhances your hearing. Makes everything loud and clear. If you're not a fan of this digital enhancement as some aren't, you can stick with the default mode which is the halfway point or 5, it makes the awareness mode more natural in the way you hear. I personally use 8 out of 10 most of the time. The only thing I haven't tested yet is whether these have an auto ANC activation if there's a sudden loud noise like the Sony XM3 has. I currently only have 2 complaints with the features. First, I wish you could manage the devices you're connected to via the app. This was my complaint with the Sennheiser Momentum as well until they updated this via an app update. I'm hoping Shure does the same thing. This is my favorite feature in the Bose 700 and B&W PX7. It's so easy to manage your bluetooth connections without having to be near the devices you're connected to. And second, it would be nice if there was a quick attention mode of some sort like the Sony 1000XM3 has. This is not a big deal because with the Aonics, it's just a flip of a switch on the headphone to go into awareness mode. It's still worth mentioning though that there's technically no quick attention mode as many love this about the Sonys.
ANC
I will hold out giving my full impressions on this category as due to this World's current circumstances, I'm stuck at home. I will say that from what I hear when I turn the ANC on Max with no music playing, there appears to be a pretty strong ANC present albeit with a noticeable hiss. Switch the ANC to normal, it's still effective with no hiss. I'm only using normal since I'm at home. Normal + anything playing at a low volume and my house is pretty much silent. The ANC on these are definitely stronger than the Sennheiser Momentums, Dali iO-6, Beats Studio 3, and B&W PX7. Not sure yet how they stack up to the two leaders in the Bose 700 and Sony 1000XM3. I'll need to test these in a really noisy environment. When I get a chance, I'll blast an Action Movie with my Soundbar and Sub and see how effective Max is with that. I do remember the Sonys and Bose made it quiet as a mouse.
Sound
My initial impressions still hold true. These are Studio Quality headphones in a Wireless ANC package. Best way to describe the sound is detailed, transparent, and neutral with a slight emphasis in the highs. Depending on your hearing/sensitivity, this can be a good or bad thing. For me, it's a welcome change to the warm, bassy with rolled off highs wireless headphones that are flooding the market today. In a word, these are truly remarkable. To my ears, the bass is neutral throughout the range, mids are clear, detailed and present, and the highs have an ever so slight sizzle. Instrument separation and imaging is excellent. Tops for the class. Soundstage for a wireless ANC headphone is probably second only to the Dali iO-6 which sounds slightly more hollow when going back and forth between the two. I'm still going back and forth between these and the Dalis, but can say for certain that these are top 2 with the Dalis for my favorite sounding wireless ANC headphones. These two headphones are truly a step above the rest in my opinion. Again, this is my opinion based on my preference for neutrality and detail. If you like your music presented in a more exciting fashion with still good detail, I'd recommend the Sennheiser Momentums.
As far as listening in different modes go, there's little to no difference when listening passively, powered with ANC off, and powered with ANC on normal. Truly a remarkable feat in my opinion. If you put the ANC on Max, you lose some clarity, volume, and sound stage, which in my experience is par for the course with most wireless ANC headphones. Listening via USB mode with the USBC cable gives a slight increase in everything including volume. I've used this method of listening the least so I'll hold off on giving any details.
And lastly, I believe someone asked about the frequency response when listening with glasses. I have very thin frames only because of my headphone hobby, but even in that, most wireless ANC headphones have sound quality adjustments when dealing with glasses. The Aonics are actually really good when it comes to consistency with my glasses. They're still not quite as good as the Momentums and Sony XM3 which have the most consistent listening experiences I've heard, but they are better than most. When I put on my glasses I notice an ever so slight drop in bass. No where near the drop you get with the Dalis. No more than 3 or 4 dbs in my opinion. The rest of the spectrum stays consistent which is excellent. I actually don't mind using these with my glasses on. The drop off is not enough to annoy me. I mainly notice it on the lower sub bass notes that create a slight rumble in the cups. I lose some of that feeling with my glasses on. It's still nice to feel like I don't have to hook my glasses arms over the ear cups to still enjoy the sound.
Mic Quality
I've literally only taken two calls with this so I have no comment as of yet. According to the current reviews out, the mic is top notch. SoundGuys put it in the same class as the Bose 700 which I find hard to believe. The two callers I've talked to did say I sounded clear and they couldn't tell I was on a headset, but it was completely quiet in the background too.
More to come. Feel free to ask any questions and I'll respond as soon as I can.
. Maybe support wasn't clear on what you were talking about.
