

All products featured are independently chosen by us. However, SoundGuys may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links. See our ethics statement.
1 / 10The Shure Aonic 40 strips out the premium materials of its more expensive predecessor, but keeps all the features.
At 5.5, its noise cancelling beats 0% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 58 of the 240 we've cataloged.
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 156 of 240 we've cataloged.
Usb-c is the most common — on 88% of the 138 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 240).
5.0 is the most common — on 29% of the 147 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 240).
above average for over-ear headphones — based on 198 of 240 we've cataloged.
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 7.9 |
| 25 | 7.6 |
| 32 | 6.8 |
| 40 | 5.8 |
| 50 | 4.7 |
| 63 | 3.9 |
| 80 | 4.4 |
| 100 | 4.8 |
| 125 | 4.7 |
| 160 | 3.2 |
| 200 | 3.3 |
| 250 | 4.0 |
| 315 | 1.8 |
| 400 | -2.2 |
| 500 | -2.7 |
| 630 | -0.8 |
| 800 | -0.4 |
| 1000 | -0.1 |
| 1250 | -0.5 |
| 1600 | 2.6 |
| 2000 | 3.2 |
| 2500 | 3.6 |
| 3150 | 5.0 |
| 4000 | 3.9 |
| 5000 | 13.3 |
| 6300 | 11.0 |
| 8000 | 10.3 |
| 10000 | 9.4 |
| 12500 | -0.4 |
| 16000 | 0.5 |
| 20000 | -19.0 |
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -0.7 |
| 26 | -0.7 |
| 33 | -0.1 |
| 41 | 0.0 |
| 52 | -0.3 |
| 65 | -0.9 |
| 82 | -2.1 |
| 103 | -0.7 |
| 130 | -1.6 |
| 163 | -1.8 |
| 205 | -2.5 |
| 259 | -5.2 |
| 325 | 2.1 |
| 410 | 1.1 |
| 516 | 2.8 |
| 613 | 6.8 |
| 772 | 8.2 |
| 972 | 9.4 |
| 1220 | 13.4 |
| 1540 | 16.0 |
| 1940 | 22.5 |
| 2440 | 26.6 |
| 3070 | 26.4 |
| 3870 | 29.6 |
| 4870 | 41.0 |
| 6130 | 27.3 |
| 7720 | 29.8 |
| 9720 | 28.1 |
| 12200 | 11.9 |
| 15400 | 26.5 |
| 19400 | 32.6 |
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -0.8 |
| 26 | -0.8 |
| 33 | -0.4 |
| 41 | -0.5 |
| 52 | -1.1 |
| 65 | 0.0 |
| 82 | 0.6 |
| 103 | 6.7 |
| 130 | 9.3 |
| 163 | 13.0 |
| 205 | 12.4 |
| 259 | 8.9 |
| 325 | 9.0 |
| 410 | 8.2 |
| 516 | 6.6 |
| 613 | 8.3 |
| 772 | 8.1 |
| 972 | 9.5 |
| 1220 | 12.9 |
| 1540 | 14.0 |
| 1940 | 17.5 |
| 2440 | 24.4 |
| 3070 | 26.9 |
| 3870 | 29.2 |
| 4870 | 41.9 |
| 6130 | 26.6 |
| 7720 | 28.8 |
| 9720 | 29.9 |
| 12200 | 12.5 |
| 15400 | 20.7 |
| 19400 | 30.5 |
The Shure AONIC 40 trims some of the excess of the AONIC 50, which makes for a reasonably priced, great-sounding pair of Bluetooth headphones. Mediocre and ANC and durability concerns notwithstanding, this is definitely one to consider.
Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.











