Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2: Many of us liked Shure’s original Aonic 50 headphones, but the noise cancellation was pretty mediocre. Now, the second-generation version has fixed that issue, with much improved noise cancellation. Shure has also more than doubled the battery life to about 45 hours (with fast charging), and the headphones’ carry case has also become a bit smaller, though still not very compact. These upgrades make the Aonic 50 Gen 2 the best noise-canceling headphones around. The Aonic 50 Gen 2 is quite heavy at 334 grams, but it’s well-built, the ear cups are well-padded, and it’s comfortable to wear. It features excellent sound quality with very good clarity and crisp bass. Shure calls these “studio headphones,” so the sound profile is fairly neutral, although you can add more bass with the EQ settings in Shure’s companion app for iOS and Android (enabling the Spatializer setting in the app widens the soundstage slightly, but it doesn’t make a huge difference).
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HXBang & Olufsen’s Beoplay HX headphones are the successor to the company’s H9 series headphones (X stands for 10 in Roman numerals), and like the previous H9 models, the HX headphones have a list price of $599 (some colors are discounted on Amazon). This price makes them a direct competitor to Apple’s AirPods Max, which are heavier at 385 grams compared to 285 grams for the HX. I can’t say whether the HX headphones are more comfortable than the AirPods Max, but I found the two models to be about equal in terms of comfort during long listening sessions. The headphones also have the usual fashionable B&O lambskin-covered memory foam ear pads. The sound compares well to that of the AirPods Max, with a good overall balance, deep and clear bass, natural-sounding mids (which make vocals sound lively), and appealing details in the treble.
V-Moda M-200: V-Moda’s M-200 is one of the few wired headphones on this list. Released in late 2019, these clean-sounding, detailed over-ear headphones have great bass response and cushioned ear cups for a comfortable fit. They feature 50mm drivers with neodymium magnets, CCAW voice coils, and fine tuning. Roland Engineers (yes, V-Moda is now owned by Roland) have made the M-200 Hi-Res Audio certified by the Japan Audio Society. While other V-Moda headphones tend to be bass-emphasized, this set has the more neutral profile you’d expect from a studio monitor headphone. Two cords are included, one of which has a built-in microphone for calls. It would be nice if V-Moda offered a Lightning or USB-C cable for phones without a headphone jack. Last year, V-Moda M-200 Anti-lock Braking System ($350) are wireless headphones with active noise cancellation. They also offer good sound quality, but their noise cancellation, call quality, and overall feature set can’t match the AirPods Max.
Mark Levinson No.5909: These are the first headphones from premium audio brand Mark Levinson, and they’re certainly pricey at $999. But they’re also very good. They have a sturdy design that doesn’t feel heavy on your head (i.e. solid, but not too heavy), and thanks to well-padded, replaceable leatherette ear cups and headband, they’re comfortable for long periods of wear. Read on for our hands-on with the Mark Levinson No. 5909.
One Audio A10The OneOdio A10s offers more than you’d expect for a relatively affordable price. They’re more well-built than you’d expect for around $90, and are quite comfortable to wear. They have a dual-hinge design and weigh 395 grams, making them sturdy. Sound quality is surprisingly good, and the noise cancellation with transparency mode is pretty good (though there is a slight hissing noise). The headphones also have a very good battery life. They’re not as comfortable as the Bose or Sony models (they feel a bit heavy), and they’re a bit lacking in the clarity, bass definition, and depth that you’d expect from more premium headphones. But they do exceed expectations, and come with a decent carrying case, even if the OneOdio logo is a bit gaudy.
Technics EAH-A800The Technics EAH-A800 have a bit of an old-school vibe to them, and it’s not just the Technics brand that Panasonic has revived in recent years. Though the design is a bit old-school, the headphones are comfortable and can be folded or folded flat. They have a big, energetic sound with powerful bass and good detail, but it will take a day or two to get used to.
