Audio-Technica Consumer ATH-ANC20 QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling On-Ear Headphones

A Disappointment from A-T

I had high hopes for these phones. Back in the 80s, I had some A-T phones that sounded great and wore like iron until they fell apart 20 years later (just like the Bluesmobile in the movie!). The build on the ANC20 is nice.....comfortable earpads, firm-fitting headband. The disconnecting headphone cord is a nice touch, as is the adapter for airline audio use. Unfortunately, the on-off switch for the noise canceling is very flimsy, and on my phone... Show Mores it was "stuck" to the "on" position. I tried to push the switch to the "off" position, and the switch broke off! Now, the only way to turn the noise canceling on and off is to take out the battery in the other earpad! I probably should have returned the phones right then and there, but since these were going to be used in a non-critical listening situation, I decided to keep them. Then, I listened to the phones. The specs say 20-20K, but there's a fair amount of high-end rolloff (to my ears, at least), a muddy midrange, and a bass emphasis around 100Hz....and that's with noise-canceling on (no "off" position to compare it with!). The inline volume control is a great idea, but it's very small, flimsy, and hard to operate with any accuracy. I was considering buying a more expensive A-T headphone model for critical studio listening, but the lack of quality in this lower-priced unit is giving me second thoughts. I would hate to think A-T saves their premium quality for their more expensive models. Oh, for the good old days! :o(Show Less

Reviewed on B&H Photo Video