LAS VEGAS — Back in September, we reviewed Audio-Technica‘s outstanding ATH-ANC7b QuietPoint noise-cancelling headphones; had we been doling out ratings at that time (we weren’t, because — at the time — we lamely thought ratings were lame), the ANC7bs would have donned a majestic 4.5 turtlenecks.
Seems Audio-Technica thought it could do better.
At CES they’re showing off the new ATH-ANC27 noise-cancelling cans (pictured above), which have about 90 percent of the ANC7b’s performance — but at roughly half the price. The ANC-27s don’t quite have the silencing ability of their bigger brothers — they cancel a claimed 85 percent, as opposed to the ANC7b’s 90 percent — and while still really good, they aren’t quite as crisp or vivid; however, they do pack more low-end punch than the ANC-7bs, which will probably please most users. And at $120, these babies might be the headphone deal of the year.
Released along with the ATH-NC27s are the ATH-ANC25s, a petite, folding, on-the-ear noise-canceling set — this time canceling 80 percent of ambient noise, and priced at $100; also included is a volume slider on the cable. While not as powerfully noise-canceling or isolating as the ANC-27s, the 25s will likely appeal to travelers on a budget and short on space.
