- QuietPoint noise-cancelling headphones feature noise-cancelling circuitry that effectively reduces environmental noise by 90%
- Closed-back headphones feature large-aperture 40 mm drivers with neodymium magnet systems for impactful bass, extended treble and higher fidelity
- Lightweight, compact, fold-flat design is ideal for travel; fully integrated electronics: no external modules needed
- Full-size 1/4-inch adapter and specialized airline adapter for connecting to in-flight entertainment systems, and a handy carrying case
- Redesigned, comfortable earcups with generously cushioned padding and a shape that fits easily over any ear
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Product Specifications
Brand NameAudio-Technica
Color NameFully integrated electronics-no external modules needed
Product Details
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Product Description
From the Manufacturer
ATH-ANC7b QuietPoint Active Noise-cancelling Headphones
Arrive refreshed after a long flight, avoid distractions in a noisy office, or find peace & quiet in your living room...with ATH-ANC7b QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones. These lightweight, compact headphones effectively reduce distracting background noise by 90% while offering the superior audio quality that has made Audio-Technica a worldwide leader in electro-acoustic technology.
Ideal for use with MP3, CD, DVD & in-flight entertainment systems, ATH-ANC7b QuietPoint closed-back headphones deliver clear, high-resolution sound, with impactful bass, a detailed midrange, extended treble and accurate imaging in an immersive soundfield. Their earcups have been redesigned for greater comfort, with generously cushioned padding and a shape that fits easily over any ear.
The ATH-ANC7b QuietPoint headphones feature large-aperture 40 mm drivers with neodymium magnet systems and extremely high 109dB sensitivity to provide generous volume levels from any music source. The headphones also work when the noise-cancelling function is turned off, and operate in passive mode without batteries. Noise-cancelling electronics are fully integrated in each earpiece, with no need for external modules.
ATH-ANC7B Key Features:
- ATH-ANC7b QuietPoint noise-cancelling headphones feature ANC circuitry that effectively reduces environmental noise by 90%
- Lightweight, compact, fold-flat design is ideal for travel
- Ideal for use with Apple iPod, iPhone™ and iPod touch portable music and DVD players, laptop computers, in-flight entertainment systems and other devices
- Closed-back headphones feature large-aperture 40 mm drivers with neodymium magnet systems for impactful bass, extended treble and higher fidelity
- Comfortable earcups with generously cushioned padding and a shape that fits easily over any ear
- Audio functions (in passive mode) even without the battery
- Fully integrated electronics - no external modules needed
- Fold-flat design with included 3.5 mm mini-plugs, a full-size ¼" adapter, a specialized airline adapter for connecting to in-flight entertainment systems, and a handy carrying case
Specifications
Type: Active noise-cancelling
Driver Diameter: 40 mm
Magnet: Neodymium
Frequency Response: 10 - 25,000 Hz
Quietpoint Active Noise Reduction: Up to 20 dB
Maximum Input Power: 500 mW
Sensitivity: 109 dB
Impedance: 300 ohms
Battery: AAA (alkaline)
Battery Life: Up to 40 hours, typical (alkaline)
Weight: 210 g (7.4 oz), without cable and battery
Cable: Detachable 1.6 m (5.2') with 3.5 mm (1/8") stereo mini-plug; Detachable 1.0 m (3.3') with 3.5 mm (1/8") stereo mini-plug
Connector: 3.5 mm (1/8")
Accessories Included: 6.3 mm (1/4") stereo adapter; airline adapter; AAA battery; carrying case with attached accessory pouch
Driver Diameter: 40 mm
Magnet: Neodymium
Frequency Response: 10 - 25,000 Hz
Quietpoint Active Noise Reduction: Up to 20 dB
Maximum Input Power: 500 mW
Sensitivity: 109 dB
Impedance: 300 ohms
Battery: AAA (alkaline)
Battery Life: Up to 40 hours, typical (alkaline)
Weight: 210 g (7.4 oz), without cable and battery
Cable: Detachable 1.6 m (5.2') with 3.5 mm (1/8") stereo mini-plug; Detachable 1.0 m (3.3') with 3.5 mm (1/8") stereo mini-plug
Connector: 3.5 mm (1/8")
Accessories Included: 6.3 mm (1/4") stereo adapter; airline adapter; AAA battery; carrying case with attached accessory pouch
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Product Description
These lightweight, compact headphones boast circuitry that effectively reduces distracting background noise by 90% while offering the superior audio quality that has made Audio-Technica a worldwide leader in electro-acoustic technology. Arrive refreshed after a long flight, avoid distractions in a noisy office, or find peace and quiet in your living room with ATH-ANC7b QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2,523 of 2,542 people found the following review helpful
Bose QC15 vs. Sennheiser PXC 450 vs. Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b
Disclosure: I have tried all these on an airplane. I am not an audiophile. Noise Cancelation is the most important attribute to me.
The Carrying Case: All three are quite durable and stiff.
1.) Bose- the smallest, a low profile, room for an Ipod, accessories too.
2.) Sennheiser- Square shape, low profile, however not a lot of room for anything else in case.
3.) Audio Technica- Nice big case if you want to carry extra stuff (Nintendo DS, ipod, etc).
Build Quality:
1.) Sennheiser- you can tell this is built VERY well. Strong plastics, good components, thick cord. Top notch. You feel like you are getting something really high quality.
2.) Audio Technica- Nice solid construction, appears durable.
3.) Bose- If this had a Sanyo logo on the side, I would not have flinched. How can something $300 be so incredibly cheaply made.
Size:
1.) Bose- as far as over the ears go, these are pretty small.
2.) Audio-Technica- mid-sized.
3.) Sennheiser- These are big. No question, but they store flat.
Comfort:
1.) Sennheiser- Very comfortable, will fit almost any size ears. Keep on for hours.
2.) Bose- Also comfortable. I did not experience "highs" discomfort.
3.) Audio-Technica- Perfectly satisfactory. Larger opening than previous AT model.
Sound:
1.) Sennheiser- I actually wore these at home too, simply to hear parts of songs I had never heard before. Astounding. My 10yr old music collection sounded totally NEW.
2.) Audio-Technica- Well balanced, good sound.
3.) Bose- Great sound, but very heavy on the bass. I listen to a lot of rap and pop, so it was mildly annoying. I ultimately had to turn my treble settings up on my ipod to balance the sound.
Features:
1.) Sennheiser- nice cord, push to talk button (temporarily mutes NC and sound which is great for interruptions on airplanes).
2.) Bose/Audio Technica- just the basics. Bose simply an on/off switch.
Price:
1.) Audio Technica- $150 to $225 depending on how you shop.
2.) Sennheiser- $200 to $275
3.) Bose- Hard to find below $300+.
Noise Cancelation:
1.) Bose- No question here, far surpassed the other two. Best Noise Cancelation.
2.) Audio-Technica- Good Noise Cancelation.
3.) Sennheiser- Not sure what happened here. Incredible sound, satisfactory noise cancelation.
Summary:
I ultimately kept the Bose because I was only using these for flying and the Sennheiser's (as much as I loved them) let me down in the Noise Cancelation department. The Sennheiser's had by far the most superior sound, but the Bose Noise Cancelation was night and day. The Bose are made very poorly for a $300+ product, it was disappointing.
Final assessment:
Audio-Technica- best balance of value for money
Sennheiser- Best sound and comfort
Bose- Best Noise Cancelation
Disclosure: I have tried all these on an airplane. I am not an audiophile. Noise Cancelation is the most important attribute to me.
The Carrying Case: All three are quite durable and stiff.
1.) Bose- the smallest, a low profile, room for an Ipod, accessories too.
2.) Sennheiser- Square shape, low profile, however not a lot of room for anything else in case.
3.) Audio Technica- Nice big case if you want to carry extra stuff (Nintendo DS, ipod, etc).
Build Quality:
1.) Sennheiser- you can tell this is built VERY well. Strong plastics, good components, thick cord. Top notch. You feel like you are getting something really high quality.
2.) Audio Technica- Nice solid construction, appears durable.
3.) Bose- If this had a Sanyo logo on the side, I would not have flinched. How can something $300 be so incredibly cheaply made.
Size:
1.) Bose- as far as over the ears go, these are pretty small.
2.) Audio-Technica- mid-sized.
3.) Sennheiser- These are big. No question, but they store flat.
Comfort:
1.) Sennheiser- Very comfortable, will fit almost any size ears. Keep on for hours.
2.) Bose- Also comfortable. I did not experience "highs" discomfort.
3.) Audio-Technica- Perfectly satisfactory. Larger opening than previous AT model.
Sound:
1.) Sennheiser- I actually wore these at home too, simply to hear parts of songs I had never heard before. Astounding. My 10yr old music collection sounded totally NEW.
2.) Audio-Technica- Well balanced, good sound.
3.) Bose- Great sound, but very heavy on the bass. I listen to a lot of rap and pop, so it was mildly annoying. I ultimately had to turn my treble settings up on my ipod to balance the sound.
Features:
1.) Sennheiser- nice cord, push to talk button (temporarily mutes NC and sound which is great for interruptions on airplanes).
2.) Bose/Audio Technica- just the basics. Bose simply an on/off switch.
Price:
1.) Audio Technica- $150 to $225 depending on how you shop.
2.) Sennheiser- $200 to $275
3.) Bose- Hard to find below $300+.
Noise Cancelation:
1.) Bose- No question here, far surpassed the other two. Best Noise Cancelation.
2.) Audio-Technica- Good Noise Cancelation.
3.) Sennheiser- Not sure what happened here. Incredible sound, satisfactory noise cancelation.
Summary:
I ultimately kept the Bose because I was only using these for flying and the Sennheiser's (as much as I loved them) let me down in the Noise Cancelation department. The Sennheiser's had by far the most superior sound, but the Bose Noise Cancelation was night and day. The Bose are made very poorly for a $300+ product, it was disappointing.
Final assessment:
Audio-Technica- best balance of value for money
Sennheiser- Best sound and comfort
Bose- Best Noise Cancelation
341 of 344 people found the following review helpful
I have owned these headphones for a couple of years now. I have used them on a multitude of flights. I also recently purchased a new set of Bose QC15s because my ATs were inadvertently thrown into the washing machine when they made their way into a pile of laundry. I am now able to provide a comparison between the two products. They both have their positives and negatives. The following lists are arranged in order of my preference with a score out of 10 in parentheses.
Appearance:
1)Bose (8/10)
2)Audio Technica (6/10)
The Bose are definitely cleaner and sleaker in appearance. The AT's are simply too bulky for my taste. I feel like I have a set of soup cans on my ears when wearing them.
Materials:
1)Audio Technica (8/10)
2)Bose (5/10)
The AT's definitely have a shell that is sturdier and more resistant to abuse. The Bose feel cheap considering the high cost.
Comfort:
1)Bose (9/10)
2)Audio Technica (7/10)
The AT's are definitely amenable to long use. However, the leather and cushioning on the Bose are superior.
Case:
Tie
Not much to say here. I could nitpick the volume of each. However, they both do their jobs quite well.
Sound Quality:
1)Audio Technica (8/10)
2)Bose (5/10)
Once again, all personal taste. The Bose definitely emphasize the low end. On the other hand, the AT's have a better balanced sound that isn't as fatiguing on the ears. I wonder how anyone could think the Bose sound better because to my ears it really isn't that close.
Noise-Cancellation:
1)Bose (9/10)
2)Audio Technica (7/10)
Bose wins this category fairly easily. They simply cancel more ambient noise. However, the AT's do more than an acceptable job and are able to handle plane engine noise with ease.
Misc:
The AT's biggest drawback is the sound leakage noted by many other reviewers. If used primarily for travel on a plane, it really isn't an issue. However, use in a library is out of the question.
Of note, my AT's actually survived getting tossed around with water and detergent. After 3 weeks of sitting on a table, they magically came back to life without a glitch. Speaks wonders about their build.
Final Score 36-36
Tie Breaker:
Price. The AT's are much cheaper and provide a comparable experience with competitive noise cancellation and better sound. However, if sound leakage is a problem you may shell out more for the Bose. My opinion is that you should at least give the AT's strong consideration at their lower price point. If you must have the Bose because of the "perceived" quality then you probably aren't even reading this review.
Appearance:
1)Bose (8/10)
2)Audio Technica (6/10)
The Bose are definitely cleaner and sleaker in appearance. The AT's are simply too bulky for my taste. I feel like I have a set of soup cans on my ears when wearing them.
Materials:
1)Audio Technica (8/10)
2)Bose (5/10)
The AT's definitely have a shell that is sturdier and more resistant to abuse. The Bose feel cheap considering the high cost.
Comfort:
1)Bose (9/10)
2)Audio Technica (7/10)
The AT's are definitely amenable to long use. However, the leather and cushioning on the Bose are superior.
Case:
Tie
Not much to say here. I could nitpick the volume of each. However, they both do their jobs quite well.
Sound Quality:
1)Audio Technica (8/10)
2)Bose (5/10)
Once again, all personal taste. The Bose definitely emphasize the low end. On the other hand, the AT's have a better balanced sound that isn't as fatiguing on the ears. I wonder how anyone could think the Bose sound better because to my ears it really isn't that close.
Noise-Cancellation:
1)Bose (9/10)
2)Audio Technica (7/10)
Bose wins this category fairly easily. They simply cancel more ambient noise. However, the AT's do more than an acceptable job and are able to handle plane engine noise with ease.
Misc:
The AT's biggest drawback is the sound leakage noted by many other reviewers. If used primarily for travel on a plane, it really isn't an issue. However, use in a library is out of the question.
Of note, my AT's actually survived getting tossed around with water and detergent. After 3 weeks of sitting on a table, they magically came back to life without a glitch. Speaks wonders about their build.
Final Score 36-36
Tie Breaker:
Price. The AT's are much cheaper and provide a comparable experience with competitive noise cancellation and better sound. However, if sound leakage is a problem you may shell out more for the Bose. My opinion is that you should at least give the AT's strong consideration at their lower price point. If you must have the Bose because of the "perceived" quality then you probably aren't even reading this review.
304 of 312 people found the following review helpful
By A Texan
Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been toying with the idea of getting a set of active noise canceling headphones for a while. Both my wife and I are having to fly more for our jobs, so I can certainly justify this expense. While I hadn't directly tested anything else, I've read reviews both at Amazon and other places for a number of different headphones. The predecessor to these, Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones generally scored well in the reviews, and seemed favored even over the venerable BOSE Quiet Comfort models, the several low rated reviews about sound leakage gave me pause.
Seeing these supposedly new and improved versions recently come to market, I decided to take a chance with the hope that this one negative would be fixed for what is otherwise an excellent product.
I've not been exposed to the original to know first hand how bad the "sound leakage" issue is, but it is something I wanted to test for. I can say that, when I have my Ipod cranked up full (almost at a painful level) and the ANC turned on, it is pretty easy for someone outside to hear what is playing, particularly when there's not a lot of noise in the area. However, in a more "real world" test, I had my wife listening with them while we took a trip with the kids in our minivan. While not up to aircraft levels, the van can generate a decent amount of noise, especially at speed and on noisy asphalt. In this case, I had her turn it up as loud as she could comfortably do. I managed to barely be able to hear something from the headphones, but not even to the point that I could tell what she was listening to. That test was enough to allay my concerns about the "sound leakage" issue as a practical matter.
My wife greatly appreciated using the headphones on our road trip and found them very effective and damping down the road and engine noise. For the most part, our trips don't happen at the same time, but I can already tell that, if we are traveling together, I'll be adding a second set to our house hold. While not as good sounding as some of my dedicated over the ear heaphones for music, especially with the ANC on, the sound quality is still well more than acceptable and a fair compromise to go along with the ANC capability. As is typical of the technology, most of the sound reduction comes at the lower frequencies, with higher vocal level frequencies getting much less attentuation. These will knock down the low level engine rumblings, but not silence a conversation.
As for the package in general, it's very simple and elegant. The battery compartment takes a single AAA battery and it is easy to rotate the cover on the right earpiece to expose and replace the battery. While it doesn't lock, it is firm enough that I don't think there's going to be an issue with accidentally opening the battery compartment. The headphones use a standard 3.5mm stereo connection and the package comes with both a short (good for having a player in your hand or on a belt clip) and longer cable that would be suitable plugging into a set of desktop speakers and allowing you to move about your desk. There are also 1/4" adapter plugs for use with a typical home stereo/AVR as well as the typical two pronged airline connector. The case has a zippered internal pocket to hold all of these, along with extra AAA batteries (one Energizer even comes with the package). The case is pretty compact, which is good for using with a carry on bag. Even so, there is sufficient room to easily hold my Ipod 5G 60GB inside. There's space still for something a little wider and a good bit longer, so I suspect an Ipod Touch or Zune would fit with no trouble. The case itself is pretty sturdy with heavy inserts in the back, front, and sides to hold the case's shape.
When I made my purchase, the price difference between the new model and the old one was effectively the same. Even as of this writing, there's only a net $10 difference. With that in mind, if you have looked at the previous generation, I see no reason to get it anymore. This unit incorporates at least two year's worth of improvements over the original and comes in at a very competitive pricepoint, especially compared to BOSE and some of the other high end ANC headphones.
Seeing these supposedly new and improved versions recently come to market, I decided to take a chance with the hope that this one negative would be fixed for what is otherwise an excellent product.
I've not been exposed to the original to know first hand how bad the "sound leakage" issue is, but it is something I wanted to test for. I can say that, when I have my Ipod cranked up full (almost at a painful level) and the ANC turned on, it is pretty easy for someone outside to hear what is playing, particularly when there's not a lot of noise in the area. However, in a more "real world" test, I had my wife listening with them while we took a trip with the kids in our minivan. While not up to aircraft levels, the van can generate a decent amount of noise, especially at speed and on noisy asphalt. In this case, I had her turn it up as loud as she could comfortably do. I managed to barely be able to hear something from the headphones, but not even to the point that I could tell what she was listening to. That test was enough to allay my concerns about the "sound leakage" issue as a practical matter.
My wife greatly appreciated using the headphones on our road trip and found them very effective and damping down the road and engine noise. For the most part, our trips don't happen at the same time, but I can already tell that, if we are traveling together, I'll be adding a second set to our house hold. While not as good sounding as some of my dedicated over the ear heaphones for music, especially with the ANC on, the sound quality is still well more than acceptable and a fair compromise to go along with the ANC capability. As is typical of the technology, most of the sound reduction comes at the lower frequencies, with higher vocal level frequencies getting much less attentuation. These will knock down the low level engine rumblings, but not silence a conversation.
As for the package in general, it's very simple and elegant. The battery compartment takes a single AAA battery and it is easy to rotate the cover on the right earpiece to expose and replace the battery. While it doesn't lock, it is firm enough that I don't think there's going to be an issue with accidentally opening the battery compartment. The headphones use a standard 3.5mm stereo connection and the package comes with both a short (good for having a player in your hand or on a belt clip) and longer cable that would be suitable plugging into a set of desktop speakers and allowing you to move about your desk. There are also 1/4" adapter plugs for use with a typical home stereo/AVR as well as the typical two pronged airline connector. The case has a zippered internal pocket to hold all of these, along with extra AAA batteries (one Energizer even comes with the package). The case is pretty compact, which is good for using with a carry on bag. Even so, there is sufficient room to easily hold my Ipod 5G 60GB inside. There's space still for something a little wider and a good bit longer, so I suspect an Ipod Touch or Zune would fit with no trouble. The case itself is pretty sturdy with heavy inserts in the back, front, and sides to hold the case's shape.
When I made my purchase, the price difference between the new model and the old one was effectively the same. Even as of this writing, there's only a net $10 difference. With that in mind, if you have looked at the previous generation, I see no reason to get it anymore. This unit incorporates at least two year's worth of improvements over the original and comes in at a very competitive pricepoint, especially compared to BOSE and some of the other high end ANC headphones.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty good value
My 20 yr old Sennhieiser on ear headphones are showing some wear and based on reviews, I thought the A-T's would be a good replacement with the added benefit of notice cancelation... Read more
Published 1 hour ago by D. Macpherson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comparable to my Bose QC2's
I bought these headphones because I was missing my bose QC2's that I got at home. It gets kind of rowdy in the dorms over here and I needed something that sounded good to drown out... Read more
Published 7 days ago by DMBlueFox
2.0 out of 5 stars
hurt my ears
I really wanted to like these. The sound quality was good, the noise canceling was great. They were super comfy for the first 45min or so, but then they begin to hurt so bad, I... Read more
Published 7 days ago by Maxwell I. Ginsburg
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really nice headphones
These are great. They are comfortable and sound great. It comes with a really nice semi-hard case that is not so small as to make it difficult to put them away and not so big as... Read more
Published 7 days ago by North2AK
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great sound!
Although I wouldn't use these headphones in a quite setting due to its sound leakage, I get a lot of use out of them. Read more
Published 7 days ago by savvy shopper
5.0 out of 5 stars
My wife loves them for flying
I picked this product as a good compromise between price and performance and it was the right one. Very happy.
Published 7 days ago by Robert P. Grant
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
Uncomfortably tight for my head, as the arch is simply too small.
After one month, a loose connection in the on/off switch now causes the left channel to cut out... Read more
After one month, a loose connection in the on/off switch now causes the left channel to cut out... Read more
Published 8 days ago by AJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comfortable and effective
I bought these headphones a couple months ago when they came up on sale, and over the past weekend I finally had my first chance to try them out on airplanes. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Dave C
5.0 out of 5 stars
Never want to be without again
Other than checking out headphones at the airport or mall, I have had no real experience with NCH. I can't compare these to any other brands / models. I LOVE THESE! Read more
Published 10 days ago by mdo_01
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bought it off Amazon Deals and LOVE IT!
I had been researching for a great alternative to the Bose Quiet Comfort 15, and I found it!!! the sound and bass is superb!! Read more
Published 11 days ago by megaman_ultimate
