After spending several weeks with the ATH-ANC900BT, we’ve discovered that while its sound quality is worthy of the Audio-Technica logos on it, it lacks in other areas. It has many similarities to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, both good and bad. Given all of the problems, we ultimately don’t believe it’s worth the $299 asking price.
Design
The Audio Technica ATH-ANC900BT provides a relatively light listening experience in terms of design. The headphones are made mostly of plastic with extenders made of aluminum for increased strength, yet they are incredibly light. These headphones can also be folded or turned to lay flat thanks to a hinge. The earpads and upper portion of the headband include thick Poly-Leather padding that is comfortable for extended listening sessions. The left earcup has dedicated controls that let you change the volume and playback speed. Additionally, there is a dedicated switch for Bluetooth and a dedicated button for switching between ANC modes. There is a passive, listen-through mode in addition to the typical noise-cancelling mode that amplifies background noise. The headphones can be charged using the supplied micro USB cable, and a 3.5mm aux connection is also provided. They can also be used wired with ANC on or off. The ANC900BT also includes an airline adapter and a sturdy carrying case.
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT review: Comfort
Over-ear headphones tend to be the most comfortable, at least in the short term, though this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. Big plush cups and padded headbands are obviously less likely to irritate or fall out as much as in-ear or ear bud style headphones, and they are generally easier on your dome than more clamp-prone on-ear styles. And the 900BTs are fairly comfortable as far as these things go. Both yesterday and this morning while working, we wore them for a substantial chunk of the day. They’re far from uncomfortable, despite not being nearly as smooth and velvety as the Sony and Bose products I’ve used this year. Though they feel a little heavier on our heads than we’d like, there isn’t much heat buildup even in Philadelphia’s never-ending heat. The 900BTs’ flexibility (ear cup rotation, cup arm extension, etc.) is comparable to other headphones in this price range. Both the Bose NC700s and Sony WH-1000XM3s do not collapse up into the band when they are around your neck, rotating down so that the front of the cups rest against your shoulders or chest. Our main issue with the 900BT after a few hours is that they are a little heavier than we’d prefer. It’s simple to attribute the weight to factors like the size of the drivers or the amount of tech (such as Bluetooth modules or microphones for voice calls/active noise cancellation) packed into each cup, but Sony’s XM-1000XM3 headphones were light enough for us to forget they were even on our heads and they feature the same tech.
Connectivity
The Audio Technica ATH-ANC900BT supports aptX, AAC, and SBC codecs and utilizes Bluetooth 5.0 protocols. With ANC and wireless connectivity turned on, the battery life is a reliable 35 hours, but it may be extended even further if only one mode is being used. For instance, the battery life of this headset may be extended to a stunning 60 hours when used with a cable connection and ANC turned on (a typical situation for frequent travelers). also you will learn our article on Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT review.
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT review: Noise cancelling
The 900BT has the strongest noise-cancellation of any Audio-Technica wireless device that we have heard. In fact, if it had been any louder, our ears might have begun to feel uncomfortable pressure. Therefore, it is at a level that is just adequate to complete the task. Without a doubt, it will silence the buzz in the background. We’re not so sure about your yapping boss, though. People frequently overestimate the abilities of noise-cancelling technology, in our opinion. On an airplane, however, they are indispensable. With the 900BT, you can alternate between ambient and noise-cancelling modes, allowing you to listen in on your coworker’s argument with his wife. Either pressing the ear cup’s side button or placing your hand on the touchpad will accomplish this. You can also completely disable noise cancellation.
Audio performance
The DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating protects the 40mm diameter drivers in the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT headphones. This substance enables the membrane’s weight to be reduced, resulting in increased responsiveness and clearance. The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified because their drivers can provide a broad frequency response spanning from 5 Hz to 40 kHz. Thus, it enables the best possible listening experiences for its high-resolution audio recordings. You might be surprised to learn that the ATH-ANC700BT’s sound quality is arguably its strongest feature, at least in part because of its Bluetooth 5.0 support, given that this mid-range headset has a whopping 35 hours of battery life. Compared to most of its competitors, the hands-free Bluetooth headset offers higher clarity. Fans of balanced audio and subtly enhanced bass will undoubtedly enjoy this model. The best way to describe the sound of the Audio Technica ATH-ANC900BT is as balanced with slightly boosted trebles. While not overpowering the midrange or the highs, the lower frequencies are beautiful, captivating, and rich. As a result, the bass is well-balanced, sounding genuine, and not at all overpowering. Therefore, the bass range is not quite as present as it was with certain previous over-ear headphones. Here, bass enthusiasts may find the Sony WHXB900N to be a superior choice. With the ATH-ANC900BT, Audio-Technica has once again mastered the reproduction of the stereo stage. Here, the headphones can really persuade us. The mids are exceptionally well-balanced and guarantee accurate and realistic voice reproduction. However, the highs are slightly overemphasized, as is typically the case with most headphones. When music is playing, the specific frequencies can’t be felt as harsh, though.
Battery and charging
Additionally, there is a non-removable battery with a remarkable power life of 60 hours when connected via cable and 35 hours while using Bluetooth in wireless mode. These numbers are enormous, and we’ve only ever run them flat despite using them on numerous flights and for extended listening sessions in recent weeks. extremely impressive The standard suspects in terms of codecs are all present: aptX, AAC, and SBC. No aptX HD here; this feature appears to only be available on Audio-Technica’s ATH-DSR9BT, the company’s home-friendly flagship cousin. also you will learn our article on Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT review.
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT review: Conclusion
The ATH-ANC900BT headphones give the Audio-Technica quality we anticipate in both of audio and battery life. Unfortunately, the touch controls on the headphones are lacking. The promise made by Audio-Technica to provide access to volume, noise-cancelling, and playback settings on a single earpad is a key selling feature, but it is not kept. The controls are more annoying than useful, particularly the swipe controls. Comfort should be taken into account when making a purchase. The ATH-ANC900BT headphones will be the ideal fit for some folks. Make sure you can try them on for at least 10 to 20 minutes before you buy them, especially if you have a smaller head and are sensitive to pressure.
