Audio-Technica ATH-ANC3 Headphones Review - Intro

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC3 headphones are in-ear headphones with active noise cancellation. While active noise cancellation is nothing new, it's typically only implemented on on-ear or over-ear headphones. Since in-ear headphones have far better isolation potential than on-ear or over-ear headphones, pairing the design with active cancellation seemed like a combination of chocolate-and-peanut-butter proportions.

Our testing shows that the ATH-ANC3s might have been better off without the cancellation, however. The active cancellation doesn't make much of a difference when it's switched on. Even when it is on, the ATH-ANC3s block out less sound than the average pair of in-ears. The headphones also had a significant amount of distortion when active cancellation was on.

The ATH-ANC3 headphones are more versatile than the average set of in-ears, however. Their long cord and optional extension will give you almost six feet of leash. The headphones are also very portable. We were definitely happy to see a bit a pair of in-ears that can connect to something further away than your front pocket.

Though they don't have the best audio quality, and at $170 they're a bit expensive, we would recommend giving them a listen, especially if you're a really big fan of drums.