Audio-Technica ATHANC7 Noise-cancelling Headphones
by AUDIO TECHNICA
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List Price: Our Price: $164.99 You Save: $54.96 (25%) 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: Okay I guess
Summary: 3 Stars
Once upon a time I purchased a pair of Logitech noise canceling headphones and loved them. I went back and bought a second pair, but soon thereafter the first pair broke. They gave me a refund because it was a known issue and then discontinued them. Then I started using the second pair and they lasted a bit longer, but also broke in the same way. However, these were $50 headphones and I have not found another brand that can compare in the noise canceling department. Especially these. For more than twice the price I guess they are a lot sturdier, but overall they don't work as well as the $50 pair from Logitech. I've also tried the JVC brand and another brand I can't remember at the moment and they didn't work so well either. I guess about the only option left is Bose, but at those prices I think I'll just do without first.
For some useful information about these headphones:
1. The supplied audio cord is terribly thin and gives the impression that breathing on it too hard it will cause it to break.
2. The size of the audio jack on these is very small, so once you breathe on the cord and break it, good luck finding a replacement.
3. The size and shape of these headphones make you look like an alien when wearing them. I have a somewhat large head, so I don't need something to make it look bigger! :)
4. When listening to music on these it seems just as audible outside of the headphones as inside. In other words, I hope you don't plan to wear these in an area like a classroom or library because everyone will hear what you hear.
5. Instead of it just being quiet when you turn on the noise canceling you hear a very audible hiss that is louder in the left ear than in the right. Just in case my ears are bad, I swapped them around and the louder noise followed to the right ear.
6. The artificial pressure feeling on these is not as bad as the JVC HANC250 pair I sent back, so at least these are better than the JVCs! The JVC brand also amplified every footstep when walking with the noise canceling on and their hissing sound was just awful and annoying.
7. Even with my large head these Audio-Technicas are comfortable.
Customer Review: Great headphones for the price
Summary: 4 Stars
I previously owned a pair of Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 Pro Earphones (Black) for just under a year. They were excellent in-ear monitors and were my favorite iPod accessory... until one of the monitors fell off and disappeared into non-existence. For a short while after losing my UEs, I resorted to using the generic-included iPod headphones. Absolutely horrible.
As a person who works primarily in multimedia and film, audio quality is extremely important to me. I asked my boss what type of audio gear he preferred for our lab and personal use; he recommended Shure and Audio-Technica. Sounds good to me.
With the Shure IEMs out of my budget, I ended up deciding on a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones.
The first thing I noticed after pulling the headphones out of the aesthetically-pleasing box was the great fit of the earcups, which provided great isolation even with the noise-canceling feature off. They were very comfortable on my ears and very light on the head.
Without the noise-canceling, you can hear a larger range of sounds if you are in a quiet room. For most places though (such as a crowded bus or subway), the passive sound will not be enough to hear the audio content.
By flipping on the switch on the left earcup (40 hours on a single AAA battery), the noise-canceling feature is enabled and brings forth a nice, clear, even sound. It took a few weeks (a break-in period, I suppose) for the sound to come through nicely. Out of the box, they sounded okay, but it took a little while until I could hear the full potential of the headphones.
The sound quality is pretty even from low to mids to high, probably a little stronger on the mids. Bass junkies may not appreciate this pair of cans due to its lack of heavy bass. For casual listeners and those looking for a great pair of headphones for a nice price, these will do just fine.
Highly recommended.
Customer Review: Does the Job
Summary: 3 Stars
My first experience with the noise cancelling headphones was an on an international Business Class flight where they loan out Bose QC2's. It definately helped in getting some rest, but personally, I am not a huge fan of the artificial and over-engineered sound of the Bose speakers. The Bose headphones carry the same pedigree of sound quality.
So I sought out comparable noise-cancelling yet, better sounding headphones and discovered the Sennheiser PXC-350's. First a reality check: none of the headphones on the market today truly block out 85% of the noise on a plane as advertised. You can still hear the crying kid from 2 rows over and about 50% of the white noise from the plane. The Bose had the best noise cancelling of all three, but really, this was insignificantly better than either the Sennheiser or the ANC-7's. If that's worth an extra $200 to you, then you are justified in spending it. After trying out the PXC-350's at Newark airport, I was disappointed in the sound quality and the clerk pointed me towards the product featured here. Somewhat skeptical, I thoght to try them out since the price tag was alot more attractive.
There are tradeoffs between all three of these products. Though the Sennheiser has overall the best performance in terms of sound and nearly the same noise cancelling of the Bose, it is not the Audiophile's dream headphones. They sound good, but I'm certain these are not their best sounding units. I think the next step up runs for about $500 - and maybe that's your dream headset with the best of all three.
With the ANC-7's, you get almost the same noise cancellation of the Bose and about comparable to the Sennheisers. But you are best served to limit the use of these to the plane. As many have commented here, the noise leakage from these headphones is noticeable. So much so, it takes the white noise of the plane for it to be bearable to your plane mate, so using them in any other public setting is advocating noise pollution.
Net net, if you are looking for something in limited usage for the plane or in your own private setting, and auditory nirvana is not your expectation, these are a great value.
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.