Home Headphones Shure Aonic 40 Vs. Sony Wh 1000Xm5

Shure Aonic 40 Vs. Sony Wh 1000Xm5 Review

Last updated on Apr 14, 2023   9 minute read
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Sony WH 1000XM5

Sony WH 1000XM5

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Reasons why you might like the Sony WH 1000XM5

Overall Score 6.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Weight of 250 g
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Anc)
  • Battery Life of 30 hours
  • Can Be Used Wirelessly
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode
VS
Shure Aonic 40

Shure Aonic 40

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Reasons why you might like the Shure Aonic 40

Overall Score 4 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Weight of 311 g
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Anc)
  • Battery Life of 25 hours
  • Can Be Used Wirelessly

Shure Aonic 40 Vs. Sony Wh 1000Xm5 Review In Summary

Category Features Sony WH 1000XM5 Shure Aonic 40
DESIGN weight 250g 311g
has a detachable cable
can be folded
has a tangle free cable
cable length 1.2meters
has an over-the-ear foam
has stereo speakers
SOUND QUALITY has active noise cancellation (anc)
has passive noise reduction
lowest frequency 4Hz 20Hz
highest frequency 40,000Hz 20,000Hz
sound pressure level 102dB/mW
driver unit size 30mm 40mm
impedance 48Ohms
has a neodymium magnet
POWER battery life 30hours 25hours
charge time 3.5hours
has a battery level indicator
battery power 1,200mAh
has a rechargeable battery
CONNECTIVITY can be used wirelessly
uses 2.4ghz wireless
bluetooth version v5.2 v5
has usb type-c
has ldac
has bluetooth aptx
has aac
maximum bluetooth range 10meters
has a 3.5mm male connector
MICROPHONE number of microphones 8only
has a noise-canceling microphone
EXTRAS has ambient sound mode
has in/on-ear detection
has a mute function
multipoint count 2only
control panel placed on a device
can be used as a headset
travel bag is included
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Shure Aonic 40 Vs. Sony Wh 1000Xm5 Review In Detail

Design

Weight

Sony WH 1000XM5 250g
Shure Aonic 40 311g

The Shure Aonic 40 have a weight of 311g, these weigh below 320g, which we consider as the highest average a headphone should weigh for comfort during long use. We prefer a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.

Sony WH 1000XM5, at 250g are lighter than the Shure Aonic 40 with a difference -61g

Has A Detachable Cable

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Detachable cables are cables that have connectors on both ends. One end goes into your headphone earpieces, while the other end is inserted into a source device. Some new headphones, and not just the expensive ones, are coming with detachable cables, Shure Aonic 40 are one of those.

With a detachable cable, Sony WH 1000XM5 too can use alternative cables and if the cable is pulled, it will pop out instead of breaking.

Can Be Folded

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Shure Aonic 40 are foldable, which makes them more portable. Foldable headphones are easier to transport and take up less storage space.

Has A Tangle Free Cable

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Twisted headphone cables can be a great source of annoyance and inconvenience, Shure Aonic 40's cable is designed to minimize tangling. Constant twisting of the cables can also lead to microfractures in the copper wires, affecting sound quality, or completely damaging your headphones.

Sony WH 1000XM5 too have a cable designed to help prevent tangles.

Cable Length

Sony WH 1000XM5 1.2meters
Shure Aonic 40

A long cable ensures more freedom of movement, but remember that every cable based on the conducting material used has a certain amount of parasitic resistance, inductance, and capacitance. How much depends on the length and construction. Sony WH 1000XM5 comes with a 1.2meters cable.

Has An Over-The-Ear Foam

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Over-ear headphones have larger earpads that fit around your entire ear Shure Aonic 40 have a comfortable full-size form with earcups that fully enclose your ears. This design is loved for its increased sound isolation and the fact that it won't leak sound to your neighbors.

Sony WH 1000XM5 with this design offer potential for maximum bass and loudness levels.

Has Stereo Speakers

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Shure Aonic 40 have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

The Sony WH 1000XM5 also have stereo speakers

Sony WH 1000XM5
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Anc)

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Active noise cancellation uses more advanced technology to actively counter noise. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 outside (noise from your surrounding) and adding -1 inside (counter sound within the device) to make 0 resulting in a reduced level of noise.

Shure Aonic 40 allow you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the volume to overcome background noise.

Sony WH 1000XM5 too have active noise cancellation making both devices ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. Each may work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting, mode, or noise cancellation type that suits your commute or that enhances your relaxation time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Passive Noise Cancellation uses well-designed ear cups to seal out environment noise. This is used for both in-ear earphones and over-ear headphones where the headphone itself will keep surrounding noise out. The Shure Aonic 40 sits tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that reduces background noise and prevents your music from leaking out.

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that also the Sony WH 1000XM5 isolates you from ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

Lowest Frequency

Sony WH 1000XM5 4Hz
Shure Aonic 40 20Hz

Low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component reproduces low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on the way through. Shure Aonic 40's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, the lower the low-frequency response, the stronger and juicier the bass.

Sony WH 1000XM5's lowest frequency is at 4Hz, this implies that Shure Aonic 40 got a juicier bass than the Sony WH 1000XM5

Highest Frequency

Sony WH 1000XM5 40,000Hz
Shure Aonic 40 20,000Hz

High frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device reproduces high audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Shure Aonic 40's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, the higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble.

Sony WH 1000XM5's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this means that Sony WH 1000XM5 got a clearer and crispier treble than the Shure Aonic 40

Sound Pressure Level

Sony WH 1000XM5 102dB/mW
Shure Aonic 40

Sound pressure is the average variation in atmospheric pressure caused by the sound, the sound level .i.e how loud something is can be perceived differently by different people so we need to have a way of getting an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.

The sound pressure level, SPL, is the pressure level of a sound, measured in decibels, dB, Sony WH 1000XM5's measurement is 102dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.

Driver Unit Size

Sony WH 1000XM5 30mm
Shure Aonic 40 40mm

The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the device, its size dictates the loudness of the headphone. Shure Aonic 40 driver unit is 40mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful and can produce better bass.

Sony WH 1000XM5 driver unit is 30mm in diameter, which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Shure Aonic 40 by 10mm , as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.

However, large drivers usually have difficulty reproducing high frequencies so yes, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better sound.

Impedance

Sony WH 1000XM5 48Ohms
Shure Aonic 40

Impedance is the device's resistance to the electromagnetic current, as electricity flows through a conductor, it experiences electrical resistance that counters the flow of current. The resistance of a wire is measured in ohms. Sony WH 1000XM5's impedance is 48Ohms, the lower the impedance, the easier it is to get higher volume and requires less power.

Has A Neodymium Magnet

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Neodymium magnets if used in audio devices produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output while using less power. They can help produce music at quite a high sound pressure level, SPL, with the use of high magnetic flux. The Sony WH 1000XM5 have this type of magnet.

Power

Battery Life

Sony WH 1000XM5 30hours
Shure Aonic 40 25hours

If your headphones play wirelessly, cancel ambient noise, or enhance your listening experience with active features, their battery life will reduce over time. The device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. Shure Aonic 40's battery life is 25 hours

Sony WH 1000XM5's battery life is 30 hours. Each time you recharge your headphones, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first. But over a few years, you may find that your device, no longer plays for long like it used to.

Charge Time

Sony WH 1000XM5 3.5hours
Shure Aonic 40

It takes 3.5 hours to fully charge the Sony WH 1000XM5's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the headphones for the first time or when they have been unused for extended periods.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Sony WH 1000XM5 have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your headphones.

Battery Power

Sony WH 1000XM5 1,200mAh
Shure Aonic 40

Battery power, or battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store. Sony WH 1000XM5's battery power is 1,200mAh, more battery power can be an indication of longer battery life.

Has A Rechargeable Battery

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

A rechargeable battery is a type of electrical battery that can be charged, discharged into a load, and recharged many times, as opposed to a disposable or primary battery, which is supplied fully charged and discarded after use. Shure Aonic 40's battery can be recharged and used over again.

The Sony WH 1000XM5 too have a rechargeable battery.

Sony WH 1000XM5
See price on Amazon

Connectivity

Can Be Used Wirelessly

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Shure Aonic 40 can be used wirelessly, wireless devices allow you more freedom of movement.

The Sony WH 1000XM5 also can be used wirelessly

Uses 2.4Ghz Wireless

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

2.4GHz wireless is used for devices such as headsets such as the Sony WH 1000XM5, keyboards, and mice similar to Bluetooth but with a proprietary radio frequency. It typically offers better performance than Bluetooth, with low latency and good stability.

Bluetooth Version

Sony WH 1000XM5 v5.2
Shure Aonic 40 v5

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Shure Aonic 40 has a v5

Sony WH 1000XM5 has a Bluetooth version of v5.2. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Has Usb Type-C

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Sony WH 1000XM5 support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power on a single cable. The USB-C plug is now part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets, it features reversible plug orientation and cable direction.

Has Ldac

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Sony WH 1000XM5 support LDAC, a codec developed by Sony which allows streaming high-resolution audio over Bluetooth connections at up to 990 kbps at 32 bit/96 kHz. It is capable of a very high bitrate of 990kbps, which provides high-resolution audio.

Has Bluetooth Aptx

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Shure Aonic 40 support APTX, a codec used for transmitting audio wirelessly with Bluetooth. It is developed by Qualcomm and supports 16-bit audio at a bit rate of 384kbps.

Has Aac

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Shure Aonic 40 support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.

The Sony WH 1000XM5 support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Sony WH 1000XM5 10meters
Shure Aonic 40

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances. The Sony WH 1000XM5 can connect at a 10meters distance via Bluetooth or infrared to another device.

Has A 3.5Mm Male Connector

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Being an industry standard audio plug, a standard 3.5mm male connector is suitable for use with all MP3 players and computer sound cards. This means that it is commonly used in stereo headphones to your phone or connecting your phone to an external amplifier, sound bars, your car radio, etc. Shure Aonic 40 has this connector giving it a wider range of connectivity with most of the sound devices out there. All plugs have at least a tip and sleeve with the number of rings that stand as a differentiating factor.

Sony WH 1000XM5 too have this kind of connector

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Sony WH 1000XM5 8only
Shure Aonic 40

Sony WH 1000XM5 have only 8 microphones, more microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Sony WH 1000XM5 use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out background noise from the desired sound. Especially useful in noisy environments.

Sony WH 1000XM5
See price on Amazon

Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Sony WH 1000XM5 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises so that they can still be heard. It’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a jog but would still want to be able to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Sony WH 1000XM5 support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused, saving battery life and improving your listening experience while at it.

Has A Mute Function

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Sony WH 1000XM5 have a mute function, they have an option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice.

Multipoint Count

Sony WH 1000XM5 2only
Shure Aonic 40

Sony WH 1000XM5 support multipoint, which allows you to link to more Bluetooth devices and switch between them. For example, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

There is a control panel on the Shure Aonic 40 body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to.

The Sony WH 1000XM5 too have a control panel on them.

Can Be Used As A Headset

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Shure Aonic 40 can be used as a headset. A headset is one headphone or pair with a built-in microphone. Headsets can be used for apps that require communication i.e. Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, games with voice chat, mobile phones, etc.

Sony WH 1000XM5 can be used as a headset. since they have a built-in microphone

Travel Bag Is Included

Sony WH 1000XM5
Shure Aonic 40

Carrying headphones without a case, or putting them in bags without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. The Shure Aonic 40 come with their own special case or pouch, which is useful for safe transportation.

Sony WH 1000XM5 too have a travel bag or case included.

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