Audio-Technica ATHANC7 Noise-cancelling Headphones
by AUDIO TECHNICA
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List Price: Our Price: $79.99 You Save: $139.96 (64%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Audio-Technica ATHANC7 Noise-cancelling Headphones
Customer Review: Yes, I've tried the Bose. I'll take these.
Summary: 5 Stars
I finally got tired of dealing with my last set of headphones, Philips HN 110 Folding Noise Canceling Headphones, because the earpads kept falling off. I was ready to check out high-end noise-cancelling gear, and I knew exactly what I was looking for: good noise cancellation, comfort, durability, easy to travel with, and good sound quality.
I saw a consumer roundup in Wired Magazine that rated these over the Bose, so I checked out both. I listened to the Bose, both the QuietComfort 2 and the QuietComfort 3. Both sounded great, with a slight edge to the QuietComfort 3. But these Audio-Technicas sound pretty much as good as the QuietComfort 3 and better than the QuietComfort 2. The sound in the Audio-Technica is a wee bit brighter than the Bose, so if I just had to pick the better sound quality, the QuietComfort 3 would win. But the difference is close to indistinguishable.
And then we come to the strengths of the Audio-Technicas. Price obviously takes first place - these babies are only a bit over one-third the price of the Bose. Given the ease of losing or breaking the headphones during travel, that's no small consideration. I could buy a spare pair of the Audio-Technicas, and still be ahead!
But I also judge the Audio-Technicas as more durable, and slightly more comfortable. The comfort is important on those four hour plane flights. To be fair, I've never tried the Bose headphones on such a long flight, but I don't see how they could be any better in the comfort department.
The Audio-Technicas keep up with the Bose by having a very nice case, and the usual accoutrements. I like being able to unplug the cord completely from the headphones, for situations where I only want noise cancellation without music. The cord has its own nice little pocket in the case, so no more wrapping the cord around the headphones they way I had to with my old ones.
I would be happy to have the Bose if someone gave them to me, and maybe they would satisfy me more in the long run, but I'm not willing to pay almost three times the price to find out. I'll take these instead.
Customer Review: Reduces noise without reducing wallet
Summary: 5 Stars
Easily the best pair of headphones I've ever owned.
I like to think of myself as an audiophile but I'm really more of an audiolarvae. Over the years I've gradually bought nicer and nicer headphones until arriving at these QuietPoints, which have easily topped everything before them except in one respect.
The mids and highs are delivered in delicious clarity, and you will find yourself hearing things you have never heard before. Every sample fluttering in the background, every twang of the string, every inhalation, it all unfolds into your ears. For me, at least, it has been a truly unique listening experience.
Then the noice cancelling! Of course! Even without the active component cancelling, the cups fit nicely around your ears and turn outside noise into a low hum (note: for those of you with larger ear piercings like myself, or big ears in general, you'll have to shift the phones around each time to find the spot that doesn't pinch you).
With the noise canceling ON, though...it's like Music has taken a moment to stop and sing to you, personally. Don't want to hear the television next door? Headphones! Don't want to hear a baby screaming itself to death in the seat next to you? Headphones! Trains, buses, cars, planes, the low background rumble from each simply dissapears.
Frankly, the QuietPoints are a good way to experience being deaf.
Which brings me to the only area which these things don't deliver: bass. I for one like my bass big and bumpy. These phones will produce very clear bass response, but they will NOT produce powerful bass response. Also worth noting: you may not be able to hear anything around you, but audio does leak from these phones to the people around you. Aside from the guy standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you on teh train, I doubt anyone will really hear it though.
I bought these headphones about 9 months ago. The protective case they come with has been invaluable in keeping them in top condition, and I still get those same sweet sounds that I've gotten since I bought the phones. All that, for the price of $119, is just ridiculous.
Customer Review: What an amazing surprise...Love them
Summary: 5 Stars
UPDATE NOW TWO YEARS LATER: They still work great and are a great value. I notice a little noise seeping in when hooked to my laptop but it has nothing to do with the headphones since if I turn them on with no cord plugged in they are really quiet! Buy these instead of the Bose and you have money left for a couple of pairs!
UPDATE ALMOST A YEAR LATER: These are still great in my opinion. No problems and used repeatedly about 30hrs per month.
I bought these because of other reviews here. I have used the Bose on a flight and was amazed how quiet the background was when they were turned on. These have to be equal or maybe a little better. They are brighter sounding and accurate...easy to hear the difference between audio, MP3 128bit and 180bit recordings. I would agree with another reviewer that there is a very minor hiss with no audio coming in but unnoticeable when they are being used for what they are made for...planes, trains and cars. I am an audiophile and have 6 other forms and brands of headsets...these are my new favorite.
One important thing...I have been using these since Christmas, over 24 hours so far, on the same set of AAA batteries that came in the box with them. I have used them on long road trips, trains and a long flight. I like them in the car because the road noise of the cheap rental I had just disappeared so that, from a sound perspective, I was in a Lexus. Yet, I could still hear non-repeatitive sound like horns, people or even the radio in the car. On the plane, I sit in the exit row by the door. This is a noisy place because many planes are old and the gaskets leak...cold and noisy. No noise now.
Only negative is that they leak some sound so my companion cannot sleep. She is picky so it might be okay with most. I suspect this is about equal with any other over ear phones. I have been on flights where I could hear rappers coming from 3 rows in front. Nothing like that.
Enough room in the box for extras like a long coil cord, spare batteries, etc.
Oh yes...very comfortable...I have worn them for stretches as long as 5 hours without need to remove.
Customer Review: Very very impressive.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have always like Bose, and almost bought one after months of salivating, but based on the reviews here, I decided to give the Audio Technica a try.
It's very good. My wife and I flew around the world just recently, and I got to see it's effects on long distance air travel. In one flight lasting 14 hours, I watched three movies straight (yes, it is very comfortable) in what can only described as the quiet of your home. And slept or read the rest of the time. It's amazing anyone can be fresh after 14 hours of sitting in a plane, but if you cancel the noise out of that equation, the odds turn to your favor.
One nice feature - you can take the audio input wire off the headphones for getting up quickly ( my wife tends to use the rr quite often) - a feature I loved.
And boy does it work - the difference is astounding with and without it. You raise the highly comfortable over-the-ear pads off your ear slightly, and all of a sudden you realize how noisy even a brand new wide body airline is with the dull engine roar and babies crying, never mind the little shuttles that ply the US skies these days. Then put it back on your ear, and all is calm and quiet in your world.
The construction is solid - 5 stars. Everything smacks of quality, right from the packaging to the headphone cable. And the case that comes with it is ideal for storing the headphones, as well as your iPod if you have it, or any mp3 player.
Sound quality is decent, but is good only when the Noise canceling feature is activated. Else it sounds like it doesn't have the oomph. But I would keep the noise canceling activated all the time, because unlike some others I have tested, it doesn't fill your ears with an annoying white noise in the absence of audio. Battery life is excellent - in fact lasted for over 30 hours of use.
I would love to test the Bose® QuietComfort® 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® Headphones, but for this price, I doubt Bose can do anything to catch up to AT. Fantastic job, you guys at Audio Technica.
Customer Review: Great headphones
Summary: 5 Stars
I travel quite a bit for work and purchased these (ATH-ANC7) because I had to crank my Grado headphones up way too loud to hear them over the noise on the plane. These work extremely well at canceling out the jet engines and other plane noises. Just got back from Australia, and would have gone nuts if I hadn't had these cans. Audio Technica includes the adapters for airplanes, too. I discovered that they also work extremely well at work for canceling out the ambient noise (ie, computer fans, vents, etc) - I hadn't realized how noisy my work area was until I started wearing these. Unfortunately, doesn't work as well at canceling out coworker discussions... However, the over the ear design does block out a significant amount of external noise anyway.
Only three things that I found to complain about with them - 1) after ten hours or so of wearing them, they started to get uncomfortable. But show me another pair of cans that I can wear for that long and not have them hurt - certainly not my Grados or any earbuds. 2) There's sometimes a weird "vacuum-y" feeling that I suspect is induced by the noise canceling, but when it happens, it's normally only momentary. 3) the plastic surrounding the jack rattled a bit at first, but once a cable is plugged in, no rattle. And it really doesn't rattle anymore. Weird.
Other stuff - the battery (the first one) has so far lasted around fifty hours and is still going strong. The headphones are comfortable enough to sleep while wearing them. And while I don't think they sound quite as good as my Grados, they do sound excellent - very accurate across the board. A pleasure to listen to. Great protective case - big enough to fit an iPod nano, and probably big enough to fit one of the bigger ones. Cool blue power LED. A nice thing with noise canceling headphones is that they allow you to listen to your music quieter than you otherwise might, which can help a lot with protecting your hearing.
All in all, I'm very pleased that I bought these - they do exactly what they're supposed to do, are comfortable and well made, and sound great. A great deal for the money.