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We've recently released our Test Bench 1.6 update for Headphones! Read the Latency R&D Article to learn more.

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Reviewed Mar 31, 2016 at 12:04 pm
Latest change: Test bench update Nov 21, 2019 at 11:21 am
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS Picture
6.4
Mixed Usage
6.7
Neutral Sound
6.3
Commute/Travel
6.8
Sports/Fitness
6.3
Office
5.3
Wireless Gaming
6.8
Wired Gaming
6.6
Phone Call

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS have a typical in-ear design and above-average audio reproduction. Unfortunately, they may not be comfortable for everyone, and their poor isolation means ambient noise could potentially ruin your listening experience.

Our Verdict

6.4 Mixed Usage

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS perform moderately well in most use cases and make for decent everyday headphones.

Pros
  • Great audio reproduction.
  • Minimal leakage.
Cons
  • In-Ear design may be uncomfortable for some.
  • Poor noise isolation.
6.7 Neutral Sound

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS are average for neutral listening. They have a decent audio reproduction, but the closed-back in-ear design lacks a little openness.

6.3 Commute/Travel

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33i are average for commuting. They're small and have a compact design, but their active noise isolation is weak and may not be sufficient for loud, noisy environments.

6.8 Sports/Fitness

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS are above average for sports use. They're stable and are also small enough to carry around on your person everywhere you go.

6.3 Office

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS are average for office use. They won't block the chatter of a busy office.

6.8 Wired Gaming
  • 6.4 Mixed Usage
  • 6.7 Neutral Sound
  • 6.3 Commute/Travel
  • 6.8 Sports/Fitness
  • 6.3 Office
  • 5.3 Wireless Gaming
  • 6.8 Wired Gaming
  • 6.6 Phone Call
  1. Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
  2. Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
  3. Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
  4. Updated Sep 28, 2017: The microphone has been tested with our new methodology, as explained here
  5. Updated Aug 10, 2017: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
  6. Updated Mar 01, 2017: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
  7. Updated Mar 31, 2016: Review published.
  8. Updated Mar 29, 2016: Our testers have started testing this product.
  9. Updated Mar 22, 2016: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Test Results

Design
Design
Style
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless No
Transducer Dynamic

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS have the same aesthetic as the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23, with a few minor color differences. They have a very common design with an all-black color scheme. The control module isn't too bulky, and the in-ear buds and tips are also all-black and engraved with the Audio-Technica logo on the back.

6.5
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.09 lbs
Clamping Force
0 lbs

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS are as comfortable as you would expect for an in-ear design. They offer a variety of tip sizes and an additional memory foam tip that provides slightly better stability once in the ear. They apply a bit of pressure within the ear canal, which may be uncomfortable for some, especially during long listening sessions.

5.6
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use Mediocre
Feedback Subpar
Call/Music Control Yes
Volume Control Yes
Microphone Control No
Channel Mixing
N/A
Noise Cancelling Control No
Talk-Through
No
Additional Buttons No

Button functionality and placement are average. They offer decent functionality with call/music and volume control, as well as a simple switch to enable noise cancelling. However, the buttons feel poorly laid out; the call/music button being too far from the volume dial is slightly frustrating.

9.3
Design
Breathability
Avg.Temp.Difference 0.7 °C
8.2
Design
Portability
L 3.94"
W 1.57"
H 1.57"
Volume 9.76 in³
Transmitter Required N/A

These headphones are very portable. They can easily fit into a pocket, purse, or bag and don't take up much space. However, since these are noise cancelling headphones, they come with a control module that makes them a little bigger when folded than regular passive in-ear headphones.

5.5
Design
Case
Type Pouch
L N/A
W N/A
H N/A
Volume N/A

These headphones come with a drawstring pouch that can help protect the headphones from damage. It doesn't add much bulk and is small enough to fit into a pocket. Sadly, the headphones aren't really protected from physical stress and hard falls and could get damaged by water as the pouch is not waterproof.

6.5
Design
Build Quality

The build quality is decent. The control module is portable and not too cumbersome. The in-ear buds and module are made out of moderately dense plastic that feels somewhat durable, but the cabling is relatively thin.

7.0
Design
Stability

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS are decently stable. They fit deeply into the ear canal and don't quickly fall out of your ears during moderate physical activity. However, the control module and long cable can easily get hooked on something and pull the headphones out of your ears. They also don't have any unique tips to help maintain a stable fit, which makes them not really ideal for high-intensity exercises.

Design
Headshots 1
Design
Headshots 2
Design
Top
Design
In The Box

  • Audio Technica ATH-ANC33iS headphones
  • Airline adapter
  • Extra earbud tips (x3 sizes)
  • AAA Battery
  • Carrying pouch
  • Manual

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
-3.56 dB
Treble Amount
-4.21 dB
9.1
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.19 dB
Sound
Raw Frequency Response
7.0
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
4.06 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
55.76 Hz
Low-Bass
-5.1 dB
Mid-Bass
-0.01 dB
High-Bass
5.8 dB
6.4
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
4.77 dB
Low-Mid
7.13 dB
Mid-Mid
1.62 dB
High-Mid
0.66 dB
8.1
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.4 dB
Low-Treble
-0.94 dB
Mid-Treble
0.93 dB
High-Treble
-6.95 dB
6.8
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
2.04 dB
Dips
1.75 dB
8.8
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.15
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
0.59
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
1.86
Weighted Phase Mismatch
1.93
1.6
Sound
Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
N/A
PRTF Size (Avg.)
N/A
PRTF Distance
N/A
Openness
4.7
Acoustic Space Excitation
3.2
8.0
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.181
WHD @ 100
0.107
Isolation
5.1
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-11.42 dB
Noise Cancelling Yes
Bass
-5.86 dB
Mid
-10.83 dB
Treble
-18.02 dB

Poor performance. These headphones do poorly throughout the frequency range. The passive isolation provided by these in-ears is especially poor around 5kHz. The active noise isolation, although effective in the bass and mid regions, performs consistently below average.

7.5
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
36.88 dB

Average leakage. The majority of the leakage will be in the treble range, which is typical of in-ear earphones. However, the loudness of the leakage is unusually high for an in-ear design.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
No
In-line
Yes
Boom
No
Detachable Boom
N/A
Mic Yes
7.4
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
LFE
281 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
1.75 dB
HFE
3,417.19 Hz
Weighted THD
0.267
Gain
21.38 dB
6.4
Microphone
Noise Handling
Speech + Pink Noise
Speech + Subway Noise
SpNR
16.68 dB
Active Features
8.8
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
AAA
Continuous Battery Life
106 hrs
Additional Charges
N/A
Total Battery Life
106 hrs
Charge Time
N/A
Power Saving Feature
No
Audio While Charging
N/A
Passive Playback
Yes
Charging Port N/A
0
Active Features
App Support
App Name N/A
iOS N/A
Android N/A
macOS N/A
Windows N/A
Equalizer
N/A
ANC Control
N/A
Mic Control N/A
Room effects
N/A
Playback Control
N/A
Button Mapping N/A
Surround Sound N/A

No compatible app.

Connectivity
0
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Version
N/A
Multi-Device Pairing
N/A
NFC Pairing
N/A
Line of Sight Range
N/A
Default Latency
N/A
aptX Latency
N/A
aptX(LL) Latency
N/A
0
Connectivity
Non-Bluetooth Wireless
Non-BT Line of Sight Range
N/A
Non-BT Latency
N/A
9.0
Connectivity
Wired
Analog Audio
Yes
USB Audio
No
Detachable No
Length 4.6 ft
Connection 1/8" TRRS
Wired Latency
0 ms
Connectivity
PC / PS4 Compatibility
PC / PS4 Analog
Audio + Microphone
PC / PS4 Wired USB
No
PC / PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
Connectivity
Xbox One Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio + Microphone
Xbox One Wired USB
No
Xbox One Wireless
No
0
Connectivity
Base/Dock
Type
N/A
USB Input
N/A
Line In
N/A
Line Out
N/A
Optical Input
N/A
RCA Input
N/A
Dock Charging
N/A
Power Supply
N/A