Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 Review

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 offer outstanding noise cancellation and audio performance well above what the price tag would suggest.In-ear headphones and the more recently developed “canalphones” deliver amongst the best available passive noise isolation: Pop them in your ears and you might as well be wearing earplugs. It stands to reason, then, that these designs would also be capable of offering the best possible active noise-cancellation. Yet few in-ear headphones offer active noise cancellation, compared to traditional on-ear or over-ear headphones. Maybe manufacturers figure they already provide a good level of sound isolation, so the addition of active circuitry is perceived as an unnecessary expense.Audio-Technica resists this inclination with the ATH-ANC23, a pair of active-noise-cancelling canalphones priced a mere $80. We gave the ANC23 a listen and compared them against the likes of the competitive Phiaton PS 20 NC, to see whether or not this product hits the narrow target where sound quality, noise blocking and affordability converge.The ANC23 are packaged in such a way that you can see almost everything you are getting into through a clear plastic window on the front of the box.