CES: Audio-Technica Stuffs Its Excellent QuietPoint Noise-Cancelling Tech Into Budget-ish Cans
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.
When he was eight, Eli Milchman came home from frolicking in the Veld one day and was given an Atari 400. Since then, his fascination with technology has made him an intrepid early adopter of whatever charming new contraption crosses his path — which explains why he's Cult of Mac's test editor-at-large. He calls San Francisco home, where he works as a journalist and photographer. Eli has contributed to the pages of 
