Initial impressions (may add more later on) - currently my rating is ~3.5, leaning towards 3 instead of 4:
This model seems to targeting the lower-end models of other brands, Sony's and JVC's mainly. I have to admit, compared to them, it performs better. (the same can also be said for ATH-ANC1, as it is targeting the market for the highly popular Sennheiser models and in my opinion, Audio Technica did pretty well in that aspect)
Noise-canceling is there, but so is the hissing. Unlike the more expensive ATH-ANC7 model, this model introduces a fair amount of hissing. But, since the hissing stays at a constant level and does not vary in time unlike other noise-canceling headphones (like all the Able-planet models that I tried), it does not have the potential of causing headaches, so for me this is acceptable. The performance of the noise-canceling is also acceptable. I think, if you exclude the hissing, the performance is similar to the ATH-ANC7 model (cannot say it is a golden standard but pretty close).
Regarding the design, well, not unexpectedly it is also on the lower-end of the scale. I think the outer layer of the cups is designed fairly well. The problem is mostly related to the padding. Also, they kept the size of the padding section of the earcups pretty small, so unless you have small ears, you may have hard time fitting inside. Also the material used for the padding is a bit on the tougher side. It is not soft and that means longer listening periods may become quite uncomfortable. I am guessing the same material is also used for the headband, which gives an enhanced discomfort effect! (frankly, right now, it feels like a tough object sitting on top of my head, instead of making itself fit nicely to the environment)
On the good side, the construction seems to be good, so unlike the currently-expired Logitech noise canceling headphones, I don't think it is going to break any time soon. Also, for the battery placement, I am glad they followed the second generation ATH-ANC7 model, and make it easier to replace the battery.
The accessories that come with the item are the same as the other models (a hard-shell case, airplane adapter, etc.). But, since this is a given for almost all the newer models, it is not a differentiating feature anymore. The only interesting thing I noticed is that the cable has a locking feature. You can lock the cable end that is inserted into the headphone. I don't know whether this is a needed feature or not, but maybe it was for some people.
I was planning to write about the audio quality after I use it for the next few days. But, after a few hours of use, it became really tiring for my ears. It feels as if the headphone is not only canceling the lower-frequency noise outside, but the lower frequency audio on the inside too. Interestingly the audio sounds better, when the noise-canceling feature is not turned on (at least it sounds more comfortable). When the noise canceling feature is on, the high-frequency content is enhanced more than needed (possibly, a side-effect of the hissing). You can change the settings of the audio player to reduce that effect, but it would have been better if that was not needed in the first place.
At the current price range, I can say it is a fairly acceptable model. If they hadn't missed the mark regarding the comfort and the sound, I would have given this model a 4.5...
(And if I were Audio Technica, I would reduce the price of this headphone and change its title to Quiet-Discomfort...Who knows, it may actually help them sell this product...) AUDIO TECHNICA ATH-ANC27 Noise-Canceling Headphones
I purchased a set of Audio Technica ATH-ANC27 Noise Canceling headphones five months ago because I was working in noisy places and also doing a fair amount of traveling. I have found these headphones to be a reasonable compromise between low end headphones and the high end $300 Bose models.
This type of noise canceling technology is best at counteracting smooth, steady sounds such as the incessant roar of the jet's engines, or the whir of a computer server's fans. When you put them on and turn on the switch, these sounds magically disappear. Conversations and other random types of noises are muffled but do not disappear.
When you travel by air twice a week, as I am doing, noise canceling technology really makes a difference. It just makes the flight time go by faster and more pleasantly. Similarly, when you are working in an office with lots of noise, it minimizes the noise and puts you into a kind of cocoon of privacy.
The phones use a single AAA battery and I have found that it lasts quite a long time. Typically I change the battery about every 2-3 weeks. I don't use the phones all day every day, but probably about 20 hours a week, so I would say it uses power very efficiently. An LED indicates when the phones are on (unfortunately it makes it easier for flight attendants to spot it and make you turn them off during takeoff/landing, silly though it sounds). The on/off switch is easy to find with your fingers and the phones do work if the battery's dead or the switch is off, albeit they don't sound quite as good and of course there's no noise canceling.
As headphones go, these are middle-of-the-road quality, with good bass and moderate high end. They come with a cable and several types of adapters for archaic airplane headphone jacks and 1/4" jacks. The cable is a standard stereo mini-jack at one end and a micro-jack at the other end to plug into the phones. Thus, you can wear the headphones without a cable hanging down if you just want to use them to muffle sounds. Note that this cable is rather specialized and you don't want to lose it. I think they should have used a regular mini-jack on the headphones. The phones do come with a rigid, zippered carrying case so you can keep all this gear together, and the earpieces rotate so it can lay flat.
The main problem I have found is that the phones are a little bulky and have a tight, heavy feeling on my head that gets annoying after a few hours. And after about two hours my ears start to get sore from the pressure. Bose makes a lightweight model that supposedly is quite comfortable to wear, but for $300 you would expect it to be pretty close to perfect. For $50, Audio-Technica is a reasonable alternative and you can save the $250 for a nice Android phone or iPhone or iPad to enjoy on the flight. - Noise Canceling Headphones - Noise Canceling - Headphones - Noise Cancelling Headphones'
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