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Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B review: Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B

Audio Technica ATH-ANC7B

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials
  • Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer
See full bio
David Carnoy
3 min read

Last year, we reviewed the Audio-Technica QuietPoint ATH-ANC7 noise-canceling headphones, and editor Jasmine France thought they were a good value, offering decent but not great sound for the money. Well, when we heard that Audio-Technica was releasing a new, improved version of these headphones with a "b" tacked on to the model name, we were eager to get our hands on a pair.

6.7

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B

The Good

Less expensive than competing models from Bose; effective noise-canceling circuitry; device folds for compact storage in included carrying case; they work (in passive mode) when the noise-canceling function is turned off or the batteries have died.

The Bad

Still fairly pricey; they leak more sound than they should (for a closed-cup design); they sound only OK for the money.

The Bottom Line

We hoped that the Audio-Technica's QuietPoint ATH-ANC7b noise-canceling headphones would deliver more bang for the buck than Bose's noise-canceling models--but they don't.

What exactly has the company improved? According to the news release, these 'phones are supposed to sound better, offer a more comfortable fit (the earcups have been redesigned), and deliver some additional design tweaks, including an easier-to-access battery bay and two detachable cables of varying lengths: 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) and 1 meter (3.3 feet). Also according to Audio-Technica's release, the ATH-ANC7b headphones deliver "smoother, richer and more natural tonal balance...with impactful bass, a detailed midrange, extended treble and accurate imaging in an immersive soundfield."

All that sounds good and a lot of people have their eyes on the ATH-ANC7b headphones as good alternatives to the Bose QuietComfort 15s and QuietComfort 3s that cost significantly more ($300 and $350, respectively). So we decided to see if the Audio-Technicas measure up to that hype.

Like competing models, these headphones fold flat for storage and come with a protective carrying case (it's good), a full-size phono (6.3-millimeter) adapter, and an airline adapter for connection to in-flight entertainment systems. Another thing these Audio-Technicas have going for them is that they also work when the noise-canceling function is turned off (they operate in a passive mode without batteries). In contrast, Bose models are dead in the water when they're turned off, or when the battery dies. However, the only problem is that they sound muffled when you don't engage noise canceling.

And when we compared them to the QuietComfort 15s, we noticed some discernible differences:

  • The ATH-ANC7b QuietPoints have firmer earcups than the Bose earcups. And while they're fairly comfortable, they aren't as comfortable as the Bose QuietComfort 15s.
  • The Audio-Technicas' noise-canceling is good, though not quite as good as that of the Bose models.
  • The ANH-ANC7b headphones leak sound. We're not sure why this is the case since closed-cup headphones typically do a good job of preventing sound leakage. But when this reviewer handed off the headphones to freelance audio expert Steve Guttenberg to have a listen, a fair amount of sound could be heard emanating from headphones, even when the volume wasn't that loud. By comparison, the Bose headphones leaked far less sound.
  • The Audio-Technicas sound OK, but at this price, they should sound a lot better. The treble sounds somewhat harsh, their sound isn't terribly detailed, and the bass is lackluster. Overall, the Bose QuietComfort 15s sounded significantly better. They're more open (read: the sound is less "stuck inside your head"), more detailed, and offer better bass.

In the end, we have to say we were a bit disappointed. We've heard a lot of good things about Audio Technicas' noise-canceling headphones, and hoped that we could say that these were a much better value than competing models from Bose. Alas, they're not. In terms of sound quality, they're only OK, which leaves only their lower price as the primary advantage over Bose's offerings. (To be clear, we don't think the Bose QuietComfort 15s are a bargain at $300).

As for price, the ANH-ANC7b's list for $220 but can be had online for $200, while the original ANH-ANC7 headphones are selling for closer to $150. If you're looking for a deal on noise-canceling headphones, we can't say this new, "improved" model is it. Of course, sound and even comfort is a matter of taste, so if you can get your hands on a pair of these and some competing models, you may come to a different conclusion than we did.

Freelancer Steve Guttenberg contributed to this review.

6.7

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B

Score Breakdown

Design 7Features 7Performance 6