Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 Noise Cancelling In-Ear Headphones (Playback 41)

Reviewers of audio equipment must, as a matter of necessity, talk about somewhat abstract concepts like “dynamic range.” These terms aren’t often very well defined, but are important nonetheless. Dynamic range, which in principle simply defines the difference between the background noise level of a product and the loudest sound the product can reproduce, is a particularly significant case example. Music, of course, consists of sounds, but these sounds differ not only in pitch and combination and timing, but also in level, or what we commonly call “volume”. The ability of a piece of audio equipment to reveal the sounds at all sorts of different levels is of paramount importance to accurate music reproduction, just as the ability of audio equipment to present correct pitches and tone colors is important.

Now an important point here is that dynamic range isn’t mainly about the ability of audio gear to produce loud sounds. One reason for that is that, at most frequencies, producing loud sounds is actually fairly easy. But even if we view producing musical peaks as difficult, we still have problems at the quiet end of the volume spectrum. The problem is that music requires the ability to go from soft to loud and back again. The contrast between loud and soft is part of what gives music its dynamism. The difficulty is that we can’t simply create dynamic contrast by cranking the peaks up to super loud levels. That’s because very loud sounds are unpleasant (and ultimately cause hearing damage). So, to create dynamic contrast, we need the ability to play loud and soft. In addition, the ability to play soft sounds is key because two other essential music elements lie at the soft end of the spectrum: overtones and spatial reflections.

Once we move outside of a dedicated listening room environment, we double down on the problem of reproducing soft sounds. Not only do we have the challenge of actually reproducing small signals (not as easy to do as you might think due to friction and electronic noise), but we also have the problem of external sounds. As I sit writing this, I’m in my office. The HVAC system is coughing its way along attempting to warm the room on a frigid day. Trucks and cars buzz by outside. Take that scenario outside of an office and it just gets worse. You have train clatter, jet engine noise, and people chattering.

With in-ear headphones, some background noise reduction can be had via a seal between the headphone and the ear canal. But you can also purchase noise-cancelling in-ear headphones, with the case in point being the subject of this review: the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23s with QuietPoint technology ($99.95).

PRODUCT CONCEPT

While relying on a seal to block external sounds is simple, the extra effect of electronic noise cancellation should allow greater noise reduction and could also help tune the noise reduction to particularly difficult frequencies (e.g., the 125 Hz drone of an aircraft engine).

Audio-Technica claims that its QuietPoint technology, as used in the ATH-ANC23, attenuates “up to 90%” of the external noise from the environment. It uses battery-powered circuitry in a small box that is attached in the middle of the headphone’s signal cable to do the noise cancelling. (For those of you permanently on the go, it may be helpful to know that the signal processing circuitry is set up so that the headphones continue to work in passive mode even if the battery runs out of power.).

The ATH-ANC23 is designed for use with mobile devices. The cord is quite short, at around 1 meter, and is really optimized for a media player that is carried with you or perhaps attached to your clothing. The headphone’s impedance is 32 ohms, which makes these Audio-Technicas appropriate for use with iPhones and the like. The claimed sensitivity is 105 dB, but with no input level specified (this is a pretty common but unhelpful practice, since it more or less renders the sensitivity rating meaningless). However testing showed that an iPhone 4 could easily drive the ANC23 to satisfying volume levels and beyond.

EASE OF USE

The active-plus-passive noise cancelling approach allows part of the value proposition to aim at ease of use.

First, by relieving the earphones of the need to block out all external sounds through tight-fitting eartips, the ANC23s don’t have to have quite as tight a seal to the ear canal. This should allow the designer to create a more comfortable earphone, at least when compared with those models that create pressure points (a common problem). I’d say that the comfort level of the ANC23 is above average. As I’ve mentioned before, my in-ear comfort reference is the Klipsch Image X10i, and I’d say the ANC23s are about 80% as comfortable. However, the oval shape of the Klipsch earpiece still distributes pressure more evenly, while

the Audio-Technicas seem to achieve a stronger seal, at least with my ears. Note that Audio-Technica supplies several sizes and types of ear tips, so your mileage may vary.

Loose fitting models like the Klipsch in-ear models are easier to insert. That’s partly due to the nature of the seal and partly because active noise cancelling headphones like the Audio-Technicas tend to be bigger and thus are slightly more challenging to align. The ANC23s aren’t particularly hard to insert, but they’re not the easiest either.

There is a secondary benefit of the electronic noise cancellation approach. One is that the bass performance of these headphones should be somewhat less dependent on the exact seal one achieves when inserting the earpieces into the ear canal. (I discussed this same point when I reviewed the Phiaton PS 20 NC in-ear noise cancelling ‘phones.).The Audio-Technicas do a better job of demonstrating this aspect of active noise cancellation than the Phiatons did, and as we’ll see in a moment, the ANC23 has pretty potent bass.

I found the noise reduction from the active circuitry to be impressive. At least for midrange and high frequency noise, the ANC23 gives the effect of wiping out the background noise and replacing it with very low-level hiss. You switch on the noise cancelling circuitry, and bang, the noise is almost gone. With more impulsive sounds like tapping, some sound still comes through, so the circuitry isn’t as effective if your problem is talkative office mates.

I did find that the ANC23 has one minor noise irritant. When the cables rub on your shirt, the sound is (mechanically) transmitted through the cables to the earpieces, and then to your ears. I wish the cables were a little more flexible to avoid this. I also need to mention that the cables are rather short for desktop/tray table use. Note, too, that the volume control markings are embossed in the black plastic case for the noise reduction circuitry, which makes reading the labels difficult.

SONIC CHARACTER

I tested the ANC23s using an iPhone 4 loaded with tracks ripped from CD in Apple Lossless format, driving the Audio-Technicas both directly from the iPhone and via a NuForce Icon DAC/amplifier.

The ANC23s are really quite likeable. They sound impressively good, especially given their reasonable price, though their sound isn’t strictly aimed at maximum accuracy. But most people would like a small amount of “tonal tweaking” in their headphones, and I think the ANC23s’ tweaks have broad appeal.

A key point that many will view favorably is that the ANC23s have pretty solid bass. I’d rate them as slightly elevated in the mid-bass, with the note that this elevation in level doesn’t seem excessive or particularly intrusive. In fact, I think many people would view a headphone with less bass as sounding “wrong.” That’s because listeners aren’t necessarily looking for headphones that sound

“just like live music,” but rather looking for headphones that, on an intuitive level, sound natural and well balanced. Lots of folks also like slightly elevated bass on headphones to help compensate for the lack of bass “air” (that is, the sense of large bass pressure waves pressing against our chest cavities, and so on), which necessarily gets lost when listening through headphones.

From around 200 Hz to 5kHz the ANC23s roll off very slightly. This is another well-consider choice, I suspect, since some people prefer a “rich” and not at all strident sound in the midrange. People who love instrumental and vocal dynamics, however, might find the ANC23s a little reserved or dull.

Above this band the Audio-Technicas seem to offer flat response, though this means highs may sound a bit subdued, since treble response is geared to blend smoothly with the headphone’s upper midrange, which is somewhat reduced in level to begin with. The result, however, is a smooth sound. Cymbals and other high frequency instruments are presented with admirable detail, though you may sense, as I did, that mid and upper treble frequencies could do to have a bit more energy. But experienced listeners may feel that such extra energy carries a price (in terms of potential upper midrange/treble glare)—a price the ANC23s avoid extracting.

Because of their active noise reduction circuitry, the ANC23s are also above average it terms of resolving low-level details. This is important for a sense the acoustic environment as well as for articulating the particular beauty of certain instruments.

I think the frequency response tailoring of the ANC23s will work extremely well as a package for a large group of listeners. If you are one of those, I think the one place you might perceive that the ANC23s come up short is in midrange refinement. Some headphones, including the Phiaton PS 20s I tested recently, just give the subliminal sense that they have lower distortion. The good news here is that the Audio-Technica’s midrange issues are subliminal “sins of omission” and not really front and center.

That leaves us with the question of value. It’s your money, but at $99 the Audio-Technicas are likely to be a good deal for most buyers, assuming you like their sonic profile. The sound is warm and musical and the noise cancelling circuitry is genuinely useful. You could save a little, but you’d have to skip noise cancelling and for many applications the benefits of an extra $20 or $40 spent on active noise cancellation will reap noticeable rewards.

MUSICAL EXAMPLES

On Faun Fables “Hibernation Tales” from Light of a Vaster Dark [Drag City], the bass drum has excellent depth and weight with the ANC23, though it might be missing a slight bit of upper bass definition.

On Eliza Gilkyson’s “Borderline” from Paradise Hotel, the vocal is clear but lacks the last bit of air and resonance you’d like to hear to make it seem like she’s singing to a real person in a real place.

On Bettye LaVette’s rendition or “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” from her Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook, the sound is warm and smooth, but maybe slightly too smooth with the result that it sounds a bit dynamically constricted.

BOTTOM LINE

Consider this product if: Subtle bass weight, warmth and smoothness are important, of if you want active noise cancellation features because you will use your headphones in environments where noise might otherwise intrude on your music.

Look further if: Treble brilliance and Midrange refinement are essential for you.

Ratings (relative to comparably-priced competition):

• Tonal Balance: 8.5
• Frequency Extremes: 9/8
• Clarity: 8.5
• Dynamics: 8.5
• Comfort/Fit: 9.5
• Sensitivity: 9.5
• Value: 9

Summing Up: The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23s offer a remarkably solid, smooth and musical sound with excellent comfort for an affordable noise-cancelling in-ear headphone.

SPECS & PRICING

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 Noise-Cancelling In-Ear Headphones
Accessories: 1 pair of Comply foam ear tips, 3 pairs of rubber ear tips (sizes S, M, and L), carrying pouch, airline adapter
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20kHz?
Weight: 0.9 ounces?
Sensitivity: 105 dB (input levels not specified)??
Impedance: 32 ohms??
Power: single AAA battery (provided)
Cable: 1.3m
Warranty: Not specified
Price: $99.95 MSRP, $79.95 MAP

AUDIO-TECHNICA U.S., INC.
(330) 686-2600
www.audio-technica.com