Shure Aonic 50 wireless active noise-canceling headphone: Beautiful sound

These cans sound fantastic—as long as music is playing—but they’re far from being great ANC headphones.

- THEO NICOLAKIS

Shure has been a mainstay in recording studios and on concert stages for 95 years. The company’s latest contribution to its rich audio legacy is the Aonic 50 active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones. These $399 headphones promise audiophile quality, exceptional comfort, superior ANC performance, and some of the deepest Bluetooth codec support you will find anywhere.

BUILD QUALITY

The Aonic 50 are beautiful headphones. Imitation leather dominates the headband and ear cups, while soft-brushed aluminum arms connect the two. The click-adjustable arms open and close with ease, yet once locked in place, they’ll stay exactly where you placed them. You’ll often face a trade-off with easy-to-adjust headbands. Not here—I found the pressure on my head to be near Goldilocks perfect.

The imitation leather wrapped around the Aonic 50 is soft and luxurious. The headband is amply padded and didn’t produce any excess pressure on the top of my head—even after extended wear. The ear cups likewise are soft and comfortable.

The only drawback I found was breathability. These headphones made me hot and sweaty after extended listening sessions. The effect will be exacerbated if you use the Aonic 50 in hot or humid environments, though your body might react differently.