Our Verdict
These headphones would do moderately well as everyday casual headphones. They have a good enough sound for most listeners, they're decently well built and block enough noise for commuting.
- Great audio reproduction.
- Comfortable.
- Mostly plastic build.
- Lack of volume controls, confusing button layout
Above-average for neutral listening. They have a decent audio reproduction but a poor soundstage due to their closed noise canceling design.
Average for commuting. The noise canceling reduces a fair amount of ambient noise they're moderately comfortable.
Decent for sports. They're moderately comfortable and relatively lightweight. However, They're a bit cumbersome and unstable for strenuous exercises.
Average for office use. They will block the chatter of a moderately busy office but they leak and will be audible at higher volumes.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Oct 02, 2017: The microphone has been tested with our new methodology, as explained here
Check Price
We've upgraded our Headphones Test Bench to 2.0! This update brings several key changes to our tests and usages, making it easier than ever to interpret our sound results based on your personal preferences. You'll also find a brand-new interactive graph tool featuring multiple targets (including our own!) for you to explore and compare.
For a full breakdown, check out our changelog, which includes detailed commentary from our test designer explaining the rationale behind our update.
We'd also love to hear your thoughts: your feedback helps us keep improving, so join us in the comments!
Test Results
The simple, modern design of the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC9 is esthetically pleasing. The matte black finish is highlighted by silver accents around the back of the ear cups and subtle Audio-Technica branding.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC9 are quite comfortable. The padding of the ear cups is soft and molds well around the ears. The headband, although not as well padded as the ear cups, provides just enough tension so that the headphones feel right on the head and not too tight.
Button layout is functional but not great. There are two buttons on the ear cups. One to switch the noise cancelling on and off and the other to alternate between noise canceling modes. The issue is that if you're not sure what the modes are, fidgeting with the second button, which does not have good tactile feedback, can be frustrating. The in-line control only has the play/stop button and no volume control.
Like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, the ATH-ANC9 are a little on the larger side for over-ear headphones. They are below-average portable and do not fold into a more compact format. They won't fit into your pockets and are a little cumbersome to carry around comfortably. On the upside, the ear cups lay flat to take up less space in a backpack.
Comes with a soft case that will protect the headphones from scratches and falls. However, the case adds quite a bit of bulk to the headphones. It also won't shield the headphones from water damage.
The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC9 are solid but feel too plastic. The headband is not as well-padded as the earcups, but the padding is soft. They feel like they could handle a few drops, but the plastic doesn't feel premium or high-end and could wear over time.
These headphones are moderately stable. They maintain their position during casual listening sessions but are not tight enough to stay in place while running. The headband is relatively thin, and the ear cups are large, so the headphones sway a lot during physical activities.
- Audio Technica QuietPoint ATH-ANC9 headphones
- Carrying case
- AAA battery
- Audio cables (x2)
- Airline adapter
- 1/8" to 1/4" Adapter
- Manual
Good noise cancelling overall. With noise cancelling set to Off, isolation starts gently at 400Hz, reaching -30dB at 4KHz. With active noise cancelling engaged, a nice, flat -20dB reduction is added to the passive isolation, from 100Hz up to 3KHz. These headphones, however, are less effective below 100Hz, and may also add a little bit of their own low frequency rumble at around 25Hz.
Good leakage performance, considering these are over-ear headphones. The leakage is relatively broadband though, ranging from 400Hz up to 6KHz.
The Audio-Technica ANC9 uses 1 AAA battery that lasts about 15 hours of continuous audio playback. They do not have additional features like an auto off timer but they can be used without the battery, which makes them a bit more practical. However, you do lose a bit of audio quality when the battery is dead and unfortunately, the relatively short battery life for a headphone that uses AAA cells, means you will have to have a couple spare batteries for long flights or road trips.
No compatible app.
