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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-ANC7B Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Review updated May 18, 2016 at 11:32 am
Latest change: Test bench update Nov 21, 2019 at 11:21 am
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B Picture
6.2
Mixed Usage
6.5
Neutral Sound
6.4
Commute/Travel
6.0
Sports/Fitness
6.3
Office
5.1
Wireless Gaming
6.7
Wired Gaming
6.4
Phone Call

The Audio-Technica ANC7b are decent headphones that perform moderately well. They have an above-average sound quality and can block noise fairly well. Unfortunately, they can't handle the level of ambient noise in a train or plane. They leak a lot and will disturb people around you at high volumes.

Our Verdict

6.2 Mixed Usage

They would do reasonably well as everyday casual headphones, but their leakage could be a concern for some listeners.

Pros
  • Decent audio reproduction.
  • Moderate comfortable and stable design.
Cons
  • Leaks a lot of sound.
  • Limited audio controls.
6.5 Neutral Sound

They have an average audio reproduction, but their closed design is not ideal for neutral listening. They also have a poor soundstage performance.

6.4 Commute/Travel

These headphones are decent for commuting. Their noise cancelling feature reduces a fair amount of ambient noise, and they're moderately comfortable.

6.0 Sports/Fitness

They're mediocre for sports. They're relatively lightweight. However, they're a bit cumbersome and unstable for strenuous exercises.

6.3 Office

They're average for office use. They will block the chatter of a busy office, but they leak and will be audible at moderate volumes.

5.1 Wireless Gaming

These headphones aren't meant for wireless gaming.

6.7 Wired Gaming
  • 6.2 Mixed Usage
  • 6.5 Neutral Sound
  • 6.4 Commute/Travel
  • 6.0 Sports/Fitness
  • 6.3 Office
  • 5.1 Wireless Gaming
  • 6.7 Wired Gaming
  • 6.4 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 May 18, 2016: Review published.
  8. Updated May 16, 2016: Our testers have started testing this product.

Test Results

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

The Audio-Technica ANC7b look very similar to the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b SVIS, with minor differences in color scheme and choice of materials in their build quality. Like the SVIS model, they don't stand out and have a very common style that may work for some. They have a two-tone black and silver color palette. The matching headband is also black, with silver accents on the metal frame.

7.0
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.49 lbs
Clamping Force
0.9 lbs

The Audio-Technica ANC7b deliver a slightly more comfortable fit than the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b SVIS. The padding used for the ear cups is much softer than the SVIS model and is fairly comfortable. They don't feel too rigid once on your head and don't apply too much pressure around your ears. However, the headband does not extend far enough for larger heads. The over-ear cups don't encompass the ear entirely, which can get uncomfortable during long listening sessions.

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

The Audio-Technica ANC7b have a limited button layout. The functionalities offered by this control scheme is minimal. Only a noise cancelling switch and a call/music button are provided. It's simple to use but not very efficient, and you don't have any volume or track-skipping control, which is slightly disappointing.

7.7
Design
Breathability
Avg.Temp.Difference 2.6 °C
6.1
Design
Portability
L 7.48"
W 7.09"
H 1.77"
Volume 93.93 in³
Transmitter Required N/A

The Audio-Technica ANC7b are decently portable. They don't fold into a more compact format but have swiveling ear cups that lay flat to take up less space. They're medium-sized headphones that will fit in your bag but may be too big for a purse.

7.5
Design
Case
Type Hard case
L 8.27"
W 7.87"
H 2.17"
Volume 140.9 in³

The Audio-Technica ANC7b come with a durable hardshell case that can protect your headphones from damage. The case is only slightly larger than the headphones. It's easy to use and stores all the provided headphone gear.

6.5
Design
Build Quality

These headphones have an average build quality and aren't much different from the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b SVIS. They have a mostly plastic build with a thin metal frame that reinforces the headband. They can handle a couple of drops. However, their build quality does not feel as durable as some other over-ear models. The plastic joints feel especially susceptible to physical stress and the cable provided isn't thick enough and could get damaged easily.

6.5
Design
Stability

These headphones are moderately stable. They stay in place during casual listening sessions and have a detachable cable that will disconnect if it gets hooked on something. Unfortunately, they aren't sports headphones and will quickly fall off your head while running or jumping. The headband is relatively thin and the ear cups are large, which makes them sway a lot during any physical activity.

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

  • Audio-Technica ANC7b headphones
  • Audio cable
  • Airline adapter
  • Carrying case
  • 1/8" to 1/4" adapter

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
-0.5 dB
Treble Amount
-5.62 dB
7.7
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.45 dB
Sound
Raw Frequency Response
7.6
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.33 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
20.89 Hz
Low-Bass
0.19 dB
Mid-Bass
3.31 dB
High-Bass
5.06 dB
7.1
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.86 dB
Low-Mid
4.63 dB
Mid-Mid
3.61 dB
High-Mid
-1.52 dB
5.6
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
5.42 dB
Low-Treble
-5.01 dB
Mid-Treble
-6.28 dB
High-Treble
-2.64 dB
7.6
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
1.41 dB
Dips
1.52 dB
7.8
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.36
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
0.8
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
2.97
Weighted Phase Mismatch
8.61
3.5
Sound
Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
3.45 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
-2.02 dB
PRTF Distance
4.25 dB
Openness
2.7
Acoustic Space Excitation
5.6
7.2
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.257
WHD @ 100
0.392
Isolation
7.3
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-19.69 dB
Noise Cancelling Yes
Bass
-10.22 dB
Mid
-16.92 dB
Treble
-32.44 dB

They have decent performance. In the bass range, there's an average of 10dB of isolation, which extends below 100Hz. The amount of isolation provided in the mid and treble regions are also average, maxing out at around -18dB and -30dB respectively.

5.5
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
47.65 dB

They have poor performance. The majority of the leakage is happening between 400Hz-5kHz, which is rather broad. The overall level of the leakage is quite high, making the content of your audio audible to people around you.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
No
In-line
Yes
Boom
No
Detachable Boom
N/A
Mic Yes
6.6
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
LFE
500.69 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
1.81 dB
HFE
3,726.47 Hz
Weighted THD
0.327
Gain
24.79 dB
6.4
Microphone
Noise Handling
Speech + Pink Noise
Speech + Subway Noise
SpNR
16.71 dB
Active Features
8.4
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
AAA
Continuous Battery Life
49.2 hrs
Additional Charges
N/A
Total Battery Life
49.2 hrs
Charge Time
N/A
Power Saving Feature
No
Audio While Charging
N/A
Passive Playback
Yes
Charging Port N/A

These headphones use 1 AAA battery that lasts for about 49.2 hours of continuous audio playback. They can't be used without the battery, and don't have an auto-off timer. But thanks to the great battery life you won't have to change the AAA battery throughout the day, which is good for long flights or road trips.

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

They don't have a 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
9.5
Connectivity
Wired
Analog Audio
Yes
USB Audio
No
Detachable Yes
Length 5.1 ft
Connection 1/8" TRRS
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