Audio-Technica ATHANC7 Noise-cancelling Headphones
by AUDIO TECHNICA
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Audio-Technica ATHANC7 Noise-cancelling Headphones
Customer Review: Best gift I've ever recieved
Summary: 5 Stars
In my freshman year of college, I bought a pair of cheap ($40) over-ear headphones that had minimal noise cancelling ability. They lasted about 4 months before an earcup broke off, but I appreciated them nonetheless. I asked for some better quality ones for Christmas, and chose these after extensive research.
I don't consider myself an audiophile, but I was blown away by the audio quality of these. I have never been jealous of anyone else's headphones since owning these (beats, Bose, anything.) I can believe that the base on the Bose set is better, but for me I don't care about that as much due to the nature of most of the music I listen to. The stage effect on these is great; you will hear your music in new ways.
I find that many people don't understand noise cancelling. Basically, these types of headphones have a little mic in them which picks up ambient noise and then reproduces the noise exactly out of phase with the ambient noise, thereby neutralizing it. Therefore, these (and all other noise cancelers) work well with persistent noise (fan, car, airplane) and not so well with dynamic noise (people talking) Having said that, it is very possible to completely cancel out all normal noise (like talking) by turning on noise cancelling and having the volume relatively high. It is a great tool to have if you loathe your roommate, because once they figure out that you can't hear them, they have to actually get up in order to get your attention, and therefore they will not bother you nearly as much. I've crossed the Atlantic nearly as many times as I am years old (20) and these are by far the most important thing to make those long haul flights easier. When watching movies or listening to music on the plane, it is possible to pretty much eliminate the sound of the plane. And for sleeping, I usually just turn on noise cancelling and unplug the audio cord. It replaces the airplane noise with some gentle white noise, and I can sleep so much more easily. The earcups are angled such that I can lean back in the seat without putting weight on the earphones. The passengers around me are always jealous of my ability to sleep on these flights.
These headphones are durable. The main reason for this is that the 1/8th inch cord (regular headphone cord) is replaceable. I have had so many sets of headphones/earbuds break because the cord developed a bad connection, and couldn't be replaced. I am on my 3rd cord now, (after 2.5 years) which might sound bad, but considering how I treat my headphones, it's really just great that I haven't had to replace the headphones themselves. My cord always gets tangled around something, and I get up in a hurry, and bam, bad connection. But it's a 2-dollar fix that extends the life of these great headphones.The earcup connection is flexible and extremely solid. I cannot imagine this breaking.
As far as comfort, I can't imagine any being more comfortable. Many headphones I have tried are just not deep enough at the earcups. I guess my ears are pretty big, because I find that i'm pressing up against them, and it becomes uncomfortable over time. These are just super comfortable and I can wear them for a very long time without wanting to take them off. The only caveats here are that they can get a little hot in warm weather, and I often get 'headphone hair' but I don't see how it could be any better with any other over - ear phones.
Overall, I am extremely satisfied with these, and as I said in the title, I consider them the best gift i've been given. I'm not even tempted to blow money on a good speaker system, as these give me more audio quality than I think I'll ever need.
Customer Review: Amazing Noise-Cancelling Headphones and Great Price Point!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been wanting Noise-Cancelling headphones for a LONG time.....a recent trip to Hawaii really made me regret picking up some Bose cans before heading out.....
.....it was a blessing in disguise though, because waiting a little while longer allowed me to discover THIS gem! At ~1/2 to 1/3 the price of Bose NC headphones, I was skeptical of the quality of these headphones......after reading so many of the glowing reviews, though, I took the plunge and bought them at the lowest price point that I've seen so far: $120 from Electronics Expo on 7/12/07 .... I was still a little wary about the complaints about less bass response than the Bose cans, but was optimistic due to the rave reviews for its exceptional midrange and high-frequency responses.
WOW --- all of the rave reviews were right on the money --- these headphones are the best that I've ever owned. I've been using Bose Triport (not noise-cancelling) headphones for about 3-4 years now --- these Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 headphones sound EVEN BETTER than the Bose Triports in the high and midrange regions and MATCH them in the bass region, in my opinion (and while not an expert, I consider myself a reasonably knowledgable audiophile). I haven't had a chance to use these on a plane yet, but I've heard the results as a neighbor mowed their lawn right outside my window, and with these babies on, I couldn't hear ANYTHING except the great music from my mp3 player.
With that rambling intro, here's my summary:
PROS:
-Amazing high and mid-range sound (best I've ever heard)
-Great bass sound (on par w/ Bose and potentially even more accurate since there is no artificial boosting of the bass response)
-Amazing battery life on 1 AAA battery --- they claim 40 hours --- I haven't reached that yet, but WOW --- that is a long time
-Great carrying case and adapters for in-flight audio setups (they even have an adapter for the 2-prong inflight setup....they thought of everything) --- the headphones fold into the case very nicely and it is sturdy and compact
-Luxurious look and feel: soft leather etc. Just buy it and you'll see what I mean --- even the smell of the case when you first open it has a sense of luxury
-Reasonably comfortable on the head and not heavy-feeling, even after hours of listening
CONS:
-The comfort level of these headphones are good, but don't blow me away as much as the audio quality and noise cancelling quality do. Both of those things are so amazing, that I feel like these headphones should feel weightless and fit perfectly over my ears to match that quality. They are not uncomfortable to wear, but I'd say I prefer the feel of the Bose Triports over my ears than the ATH-ANC7's. I have both headphones here for comparison and the ATH-ANC7 feels a little tighter over my ears (maybe something that comes with the territory for good noise cancellation) and the earcup leather portion of the headphones feel a little less "cushy" against my head than the Bose headphones. I'm not sure how the Quietcomforts compare in feel (I mention them since they are competing noise-cancelling headphones), but between the non noise-cancelling Bose Triports and the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7's, I'd give the very slight edge to the Triports for comfort.
Too many pros outweigh this one con, though, so I give these headphones 5 stars --- even at its retail price of $200-$220, these are a huge bargain compared to the Bose.....especially if you see these below $150, strike while the iron is hot and buy them!!!
Customer Review: Been a long time since I've enjoyed headphones this much
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, let's skip the appetizers and go for the gullet: This headphone's only weakness is bass. You like your Triport bass? HAH. Its okay...sit down...have a drink...we can help you to your higher power. Just say NO to Bose bass and be healed!!! (PUTS HANDS ON YOU IN THE NAME OF GOD!) BE healed I say!! There...breath easier, let it out...abused were we and thought we liked it? I understand...I used to be abused by Bose Bass too and I begged for more. Yes I was shameless for 2 YEARS, and yes, I slept in post-coital bliss after each shameless session...BUT eventually the sibilance of the high end and the OKAY mid range urged me to look further. Enter the Audio-Techica's. First thing I noticed compared to Bose was just how rich and varied the timbre was and to be fair this was the same compared to many other phones: Sony CD-3000's, Grado SR-225's, Sony MDR V6', Dt770, and others over a span of twenty years of listening. I can easily say these ATH's (Audio-Technica's) have the most defined bass of any headphones (well...not better than the Sony CD3000's but the treble is definitely sweeter on the Technica's) I have heard though they miss its full impact. And I thought this would dissuade me. Nope. And I am a BASS head believe me. But I am also a TREBLE head too..hell add midrange in. I like the whole damn thing.
But these have done a magnificent job and I love their bass even more than I did from the beginning and I use these probably four hours per session. One thing that is hard to convey is the richness of the cohesive whole of the music while easily giving separate instruments a heart of their own. Yes, that sentence is a perfect rehash of reading too many professional stereo reviewers, but it's accurate nonetheless. Here's my actual thinking: YOU WON'T PRY THESE FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS WITHOUT A CHAINSHAW.
Even if these cost $250 or even $300 I would buy them again without hesitation. (and I have a pair of Akg 701's I frankly don't like as much. Of course the 701's are hard to drive and need a headphone amp etc. etc. The ATH's don't need no stinking amp but lets not think I just fell of the turnip truck. Amps are great, but it's great not to need one as your MP3 portable or CD player will do rather nicely. But to be accurate: Amps will give you greater bass definition for sure. I use a the headroom Bit Head with this phone and was impressed even though I am unimpressed overall with the Bit head with other phones) The Noise Cancelling is a first for me. Love it. I sometimes wear these very comfy phones with no music on just enjoy the silence effect. (that's not to say their completely silent by any means but with a source playing, its pretty much you and music.) Don't be fooled at how cheap these headphones are, they deliver the goods in spades and then some. (If you think these are expensive, keep searching for headphones and you will remember these words at your chagrin later.) For those of you, and you know who you are, who are seasoned in the headphone dating scene, and are tired of asking lines like: You come here often? Just buy these babies. This gal, you can take to your parents, enjoy the envious stares of your buddies with, all the while knowing she's got handcuffs in her purse with your name engraved on 'em. Nuff said.
(Oh, now the Triports sound like somebody gave the music lots of cheap fuzzy alcohol and bludgeoned it about the rear of the head several times.)
Customer Review: Best Value when Compared with Bose QuietComfort 2
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought these headphones to replace a pair of Bose QuietComfort 2 headphones that fell apart after about 4 years of use. The intent of this review is to compare the headphones from these two manufacturers.
NOISE CANCELING
I use headphones to listen to an iPod in a computer room where I sit a few feet away from a rack of 15 PCs and 4 large file servers. The noise is from the fans and hard drives, and might be described a very like white noise. Both headphones do a creditable job of noise reduction, but unexpectedly the A-Ts are actually much better at handling this noise than the Bose. Another feature I like about the A-Ts is that you can listen to music even with the noise canceling turned off, whereas if the battery dies in the Bose it shuts off anything coming through the headphones at all. This is relatively minor since both headphones give you advance warning that the battery is dying by flashing the power LED, but could be worthwhile if you didn't have a replacement battery on hand.
SOUND QUALITY
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm what some call a "senior citizen", although I tend to think of myself as "significantly experienced." Either way, my hearing isn't as precise as it once was. Never the less, I can still recognize quality sound, and both headphones deliver that. The music I listen to is a combination of classical, oldies, and contemporary country. I found that the A-Ts probably deliver slightly crisper highs, but the Bose is much better at bringing out the bass. Interestingly enough, the A-Ts provide much higher audio output at the same volume setting. Both are a pleasure to listen to.
COMFORT
I didn't weigh the two, but the Bose feel a little lighter when you put them on. And they just slightly more comfortable, probably because the padding is a little softer and because they don't seem to press together over your ears as much. Having said that, the A-Ts are still extremely comfortable. I normally wear headphones 4 to 6 hours at a run, sometimes for 8 hours in a day, and at the end of the day the A-Ts still felt just fine.
PHYSICAL CONSTRUCTION
Since I've only owned the A-Ts for about a week, this part of my evaluation honestly has to be called incomplete. But I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the A-Ts will carry this category hands down. After owning the Bose for just over 2 years, the plastic pieces that tie the earphones to the head band started to crack. At 3 years I had to start using wire ties to keep everything together, and at just about 4 years one of the ear pieces finally broke off. This has to be due simply to the stress of spreading the head band to get them on and off every day (this cracking is a well documented problem with the QC2s - see the Bose reviews). The A-Ts appear to be much more substantial, much better built, and I have little doubt at this point that they will give me many more years of service than the Bose.
BUYING RECOMMENDATION
I suppose if you're not going to wear them every day (and thus not cause as much physical stress to them), and you want absolutely the best comfort, the deepest bass, and you can afford more than 3 times the price, then the Bose are a good choice. But had I known as much 4 years ago as I do today, it would have been a no-brainer; I would pick the A-Ts. I believe that they are far and away the better value.
Customer Review: Excellent overall. Best Noise Cancelling headphones currently available
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading numerous reviews on here as well as magazine reviews, I decided to purchase these to wear during airline travel since I travel quite a bit for work. I do not regret this purchase at all. These headphones are fantastic.
My main reason for purchasing them was sound quality. Every magazine review rated their sound quality as the best available and I would have to agree. My second reason was the noise reduction. I was not disappointed here either.
To test the sound quality, I did a direct comparison with my studio reference headphones (Audio Technica ATH-M40fs). I purchased those headphones about two years ago. At the time, they were Audio-Technica's best headphones for professional use. I regularly use those headphones in my home studio when working on music editing. At first listen, the ATH_ANC7 headphones sound very similar. After a while though, I began to hear subtle differences. The ANC7 headphones have about 90% of the bass response of the M40fs, and about 75% of the low-mids and midrange. The upper mid-range is very similar but the highs on the ANC7's are much more pronounced. I would say they are almost too bright - almost but not quite. They are very clear and distinct but not quite to the point of being harsh. That may sound like I dislike the sound quality, but I certainly don't intend it like that. The sound quality is amazing for travel headphones and I am only picking apart what little I can find to give a more balanced review.
I certainly do not agree with the previous posters who say that these headphones lack in bass. The bass isn't quite as pronounced as other headphones but it certainly isn't lacking at all. It sounds very warm and distinct. My only complaint about it is that in VERY quiet environments, you can hear some of the lowest frequencies starting to distort. This distortion is not audible at all in normal environments.
The noise cancelling ability of these is phenomenal. I like how a previous reviewer put it - it's like putting the rest of the world outside of the room you're in and closing the door. You can still hear the noise, but it is dramatically reduced. That said, there is some slight white noise (hiss) audible in quiet environments, but again, this is not at all audible in normal environments.
I also agree that the earcups could be a bit larger but they are not at all uncomfortable. I wore them recently for four hours straight on a flight and had no discomfort at all. The size of the earcups is purely a subjective thing anyway. While they could stand to be a bit larger, I think they are fine as they are. After all, if they were any larger, then the carry case would have to be bigger and you would have to make more room in your carry-on bag for them.
The styling of them is great. I have no complaints about it. I was actually chuckling to myself when I pulled them out and put them on. I could see two or three people looking over at me to see what they were. I think they found the styling quite attractive too.
Overall, I would give these a 4.7 out of 5, but since the star rating doesn't get that detailed, I have to round it off.
If you are looking for some good noise-cancelling headphones, find a local store and try these out. I'm sure you'll be pleased with them.