DETAILED TESTS OF AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-ANC40BT

Audio Technica offers a range of devices that appeal to consumers in different budget segments. The ATH ANC40BTS were introduced in the company’s QuietPoint line of active noise reduction (ANC) headphones. In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, it also works as a wired headset, supports the aptX audio codec and promises good sound for the price, which is now below. We tested the performance and other features to find out how the device is doing.

IN THE BOX

Audio Technica has a good idea of what their consumers want when buying a headset. Silicone end caps of various sizes are included in the box, as well as a protective leatherette bag. There is also a 1.0 m micro USB power cable and an airplane adapter, as well as a USB Type-C to 3.5mm audio jack, which comes into play when the headphones do not have a battery and need to be used in wired mode.

SPECIFICATION

Impedance: 16 OHMS
Sound pressure level: 100 dB
Maximum input power: 10 Mw
Frequency Range: 20Hz~24kHz

AUDIO PERFORMANCE

The ATH ANC40BT has a balanced sound signature, where the emphasis is not on the upper or lower frequency range. The IEMs sound with a good audio reproduction, be it the bass in the low frequencies, the vocals in the mid-range or listening to songs with a good proportion of treble. However, there is a small drawback, because you may feel tired after long hours of listening. Instruments at the bottom of the audio spectrum, such as bass or bass drum, are well defined. The bass is percussive on songs like The Weeknd’s Starboy and does not stand still for too long with a short decay, which is a convenient feature of the headset. The basses are also not muddy and do not bleed out at the higher frequencies.

Even if the sound is not as extensive as it could have been, the ANC40BT performs well when it comes to tonal staging with a decent instrument spacing. The separation of the stereo channels is also commendable and can easily be seen around the 1: 11 mark on Tame Impala’s Less I know Better, if you can experiment with the bass drum on the left and the piano moving from the center to the right. The headphones manage to maintain the style on heavily overlapping audio tracks such as Enya’s Caribbean Blue and Dream Theatre’s Pull me Under, thanks to the brilliant function of the device’s audio output. However, there is a better rest on the quieter slopes.

We have heard headphones that lean towards the brightest part of the audio spectrum, even if they are balanced and have attenuation in the lower mids. However, there is no such problem with the ANC40BT, even with songs with vocals that vary between the middle and low octaves of a baritone singer like Chris Rea on call with me. In general, the mids of the headphones are soft, clear and are well complemented by treble and bass.

When you get to the highs, do not let the headphones dominate the low frequencies, and there is no wheezing either, but there is a slight roughness when listening at a higher volume. The headphones have a high volume, and the audio levels are synchronized regardless of the volume of the device, which allows even higher audio playback. Headphones may not please a bass player, but they are a good performer who treats all areas of the audio fairly. The audio performance is well balanced with clearly defined basses and soft mids, but the treble could have been handled a little better.

ACTIVE NOISE REDUCTION, VIDEO AND GAMING PERFORMANCE

The active noise cancellation (ANC) of the ATH ANC40BT works well if you are traveling by public transport. Although it does not filter out high and sudden voices or sounds nearby. The ANC of the device hides the hum of an air conditioner and significantly reduces nearby noise. When you are on a call, the ANC makes a big difference by suppressing ambient noise, wind and other minor acoustic distractions. The noise cancellation contributes weakly to the audio playback to create a slightly quieter background for listening to music. However, it would be unrealistic to expect that a headset in this price range will be an absolute cocoon against the external environment.

With clear voices and a clearly defined center area, watching videos and movies on your mobile devices or a laptop when connecting headphones is also a pleasant experience. The bass is also used when watching action-packed sequences, but the acoustic staging impressed us more. Stereo separation was useful for detecting running enemies when playing the famous live-action game PUBG Mobile.

CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN

Audio Technica has decided to implement a collar design for the ANC40BT. As with conventional neckband headphones, there is an elastic band that connects the two ends of the device. What we liked was the amount of cables leading to the headphones to make sure they don’t hang too low when not in use. The headphones are made of a mixture of matte and glossy plastic and do not feel first-class, but they are still durable. Although the headphones are not waterproof, they could withstand some splashes of water, but only after your microphone stops working. Almost a week later, the microphone started working on its own again, but we advise you to take care not to spill liquid on the device. We would have liked the headphones to be better splash-proof at this price.

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