Shure Aonic 50: Excellent Audio, Merely Good ANC

The Shure Aonic 50 headphones are priced to compete with the best noise-canceling headphones on the market. Sonically, they deliver a wonderful audio experience that will appeal to those seeking an accurate sound signature. When it comes to active noise cancellation (ANC), however, the headphones are merely good, not great. So while we enjoy the Aonic 50’s comfortable fit and quality sound, if ANC is your top priority, you can find better options in this high price range, including the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.

DESIGN

Available in black or brown, the Aonic 50 are handsomely designed circumaural (over-ear) headphones. The earpads and underside of the headband are luxuriously cushioned with plush memory foam and lined with a leather-like material. Stitching on the headband lends a touch of class, and a series of detents on the headband adjuster above each earcup allows for precise ear-to-ear fit. The headphones are bulky, but comfortable once you get the right fit.

The side panel of the right earcup houses controls for power/pairing; a multifunction button for playback, call management, track navigation, and voice assistants; dedicated volume up and down buttons; and a switch for toggling between ANC and Environment Mode (the ambient mode for monitoring your surroundings). The USB-C port for the included charging cable is also located on the right earcup side panel, while the jack for the included headphone cable is located in the same spot on the left earcup.

Although all the dedicated buttons are nice, it’s hard to feel which button is which, even though the multifunction one has a textured mark on it. It’s easy to accidentally press the wrong button when trying to adjust the volume until your fingers memorize where everything is.