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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-ANC23 Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Reviewed Mar 21, 2016 at 12:00 am
Latest change: Test bench update Nov 21, 2019 at 11:21 am
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 Picture
6.3
Mixed Usage
6.7
Neutral Sound
6.4
Commute/Travel
6.8
Sports/Fitness
6.3
Office
4.5
Wireless Gaming
6.0
Wired Gaming
2.3
Phone Call

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 QuietPoint are great-sounding in-ear headphones. They have balanced audio reproduction that works well with most music genres but a very ordinary in-ear design that may not be comfortable for some. The poor active noise cancellation is also not ideal for blocking noise in even moderately loud environments.

Our Verdict

6.3 Mixed Usage

They perform moderately well in most uses and make for decent everyday headphones.

Pros
  • Great audio reproduction.
  • Very little leakage.
Cons
  • Poor noise isolation.
  • Lacking control options.
  • In-ear design may not be for everyone.
6.7 Neutral Sound

Average for neutral listening. These headphones have a decent audio reproduction but the closed-back in-ear design lacks a little openness for neutral listening.

6.4 Commute/Travel

The small portable build and the typical in-ear fit is adequate for commuting, but the active isolation is a little weak.

6.8 Sports/Fitness

Decent for sports use. They have an above-average stable fit and are also small enough to carry around on your person everywhere you go.

6.3 Office

Mediocre for office use. They won't block the chatter of a busy office, and the in-ear fit isn't always comfortable for long listening sessions.

6.0 Wired Gaming
  • 6.3 Mixed Usage
  • 6.7 Neutral Sound
  • 6.4 Commute/Travel
  • 6.8 Sports/Fitness
  • 6.3 Office
  • 4.5 Wireless Gaming
  • 6.0 Wired Gaming
  • 2.3 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 Aug 10, 2017: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
  5. Updated Mar 01, 2017: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
  6. Updated Mar 21, 2016: Review published.
  7. Updated Mar 19, 2016: Our testers have started testing this product.

Test Results

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

The ATH-ANC23 look average and a little cheap in their design. The black ear buds are angled and have a dark grey finish, with a subtle Audio Technica logo branded on the back. The control module is also black and relatively small, with a slight silver accent for the 'on/off' switch.

6.5
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.09 lbs
Clamping Force
0 lbs

The ATH-ANC23 QuietPoint offer nothing out of the ordinary for a more comfortable or stable fit. The comfort level is therefore about the same as that of any other in-ear design, which means it varies from listener to listener, depending on the fit.

4.4
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use Mediocre
Feedback Mediocre
Call/Music Control No
Volume Control Yes
Microphone Control No
Channel Mixing
N/A
Noise Cancelling Control No
Talk-Through
N/A
Additional Buttons No

Button layout and functionality are underwhelming. The control module has only two controls: a volume dial and an on/off switch for noise cancelling. There are no other controls, which means no call/music button or dedicated in-line controls to skip tracks, which is disappointing.

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

The ATH-ANC 23 are very portable in-ear headphones. They don't take too much space and will comfortably fit in a pocket, bag or purse. However, these are noise cancelling headphones, so they have a control module that makes the headphones a little bulkier 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

Comes with a soft, drawstring pouch that will protect the headphones from scratches and minor falls. It doesn't add much bulk, and it's small enough to fit into a jacket pocket or purse. However, the soft pouch won't protect the headphones from physical stress, hard falls, and water damage.

6.5
Design
Build Quality

Build quality is average. The control module is relatively small and lightweight and has an easy-to-reach battery compartment. However, the plastic design of both the control module and the earbuds feels a little cheap and susceptible to wear and tear. The cabling is also thin and could have been more rubberized to increase durability.

7.0
Design
Stability

The ATH-ANC23 have a very similar fit to the ATH-ANC33iS. They're stable enough for casual listening sessions and moderate physical activity but not enough for high-intensity exercises. Also, the long cable and control module can easily get hooked on something and pull the headphones out of your ears.

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

  • Audio Technica ATH-ANC23 Heaphones
  • Airline adapter
  • Extra earbud tips (x3 sizes)
  • AAA battery
  • Carrying pouch
  • Manual

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
-4.39 dB
Treble Amount
-2.48 dB
8.1
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.38 dB
Sound
Raw Frequency Response
7.1
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.8 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
74.43 Hz
Low-Bass
-5.88 dB
Mid-Bass
-1.47 dB
High-Bass
4.15 dB
7.3
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.64 dB
Low-Mid
5.66 dB
Mid-Mid
1.52 dB
High-Mid
0.88 dB
8.3
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.09 dB
Low-Treble
0.67 dB
Mid-Treble
3.35 dB
High-Treble
-5.74 dB
7.1
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
1.88 dB
Dips
1.44 dB
8.5
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.12
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
1.54
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
1.87
Weighted Phase Mismatch
1.67
1.6
Sound
Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
N/A
PRTF Size (Avg.)
N/A
PRTF Distance
N/A
Openness
4.3
Acoustic Space Excitation
3.5
8.2
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.146
WHD @ 100
0.100
Isolation
5.6
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-12.54 dB
Noise Cancelling Yes
Bass
-5.56 dB
Mid
-14.11 dB
Treble
-18.87 dB

Sub-par performance. Although these headphones isolate sound throughout the spectrum, their performance is below average in all three of the frequency bands.

7.2
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
38.42 dB

Good performance. The leakage profile is rather high-frequency and narrow (from 3kHz-8kHz). At high volumes, the leakage will be quite audible, but will mostly consist of sibilant sounds (S and T).

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
N/A
In-line
N/A
Boom
N/A
Detachable Boom
N/A
Mic No
0
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
N/A
LFE
N/A
FR Std. Dev.
N/A
HFE
N/A
Weighted THD
N/A
Gain
N/A
0
Microphone
Noise Handling
Speech + Pink Noise N/A
Speech + Subway Noise N/A
SpNR
N/A
Active Features
8.8
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
AAA
Continuous Battery Life
102 hrs
Additional Charges
N/A
Total Battery Life
102 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 4.59 ft
Connection 1/8" TRS
Wired Latency
0 ms
Connectivity
PC / PS4 Compatibility
PC / PS4 Analog
Audio Only
PC / PS4 Wired USB
No
PC / PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
Connectivity
Xbox One Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio Only
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