Audio-Technica just launched its first wireless open-back headphones with an affordable price-tag and 'noise reduction', and I must try them

Date:
Wed, 09 Sep 2026 09:22:50 +0000

Description:
Meet the refreshingly affordable, good looking, portable Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC open-back headphones

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Audio-Technica knows what it's doing with open-back headphones However, this is the company's first ever wireless open-back offering and also, they feature active 'noise reduction' All it takes is a quick glance at our Audio-Technica ATH-ADX700 review to
know that Audio-Technica knows precisely how to make a great set of open-backed headphones.

That said, this is the first time the company is cutting the wire, when it comes to delivering such audio architecture. Today, (September 9), the
company is expanding its open-back headphone line-up with the new ATH-AL5NC, its first ever wireless open-back headphones. At their core are specially designed 53mm drivers, promising "detailed, expansive sound", while the open housings should improve airflow and reduce heat around the ears, if your closed-back cans often feel a little toasty. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

Tipping the scales at 240g (for reference, the Sony WH-1000XM6 weigh 254g), theyre light too. Longer listening sessions at home should be comfortable, whether listening to your hi-res music, working or, as suggested by A-T, gaming.

And here's a new duo in this space: despite their open-back design, the ATH-AL5NC also feature Sound Leakage Reduction, helping to reduce the amount of sound escaping into those shared spaces (the London Underground carriages spring to mind), alongside "noise reduction" (available in wireless and wired modes) to minimize everyday background distractions. You may like Four finishes, one 'Y': meet Beyerdynamic's all-new Aventho Y wireless headphones Austrian Audio The Arranger review: wired open-backed headphones that can
turn their hand to almost anything My favorite budget audio brand just announced $49 headphones and I genuinely cant work out how Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC: key specs and features (Image credit: Audio-Technica) Want the cold, hard specs? Of course you do. Other key features include up to 75 hours of battery life, or 50 hours with noise reduction enabled (so it is an active technology, involving the creation of antiphase to counteract noise), plus up to eight hours of playback from a 15-minute quick charge.

You also get 24-bit/96 kHz high-resolution audio, LDAC support, multipoint connectivity for staying connected to two Bluetooth devices at once, a low-latency mode for gaming and video and an integrated microphone for calls and meetings. And those last four perks are not features you'll regularly
find among audiophile-grade open-back headphones, or even the best wired headphones generally. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
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Customisable EQ and Soundscape modes are also available through the A-T Connect app and (of course) you get optional wired listening, with a bundled 1.2m cable featuring an in-line mic.

Something for our best noise-cancelling headphones buying guide? Not so fast; "noise isolation" is perhaps not quite the same as "noise cancellation", despite the 'NC' used in A-T's naming structure. Although the company hasn't expanded on this, adding true ANC in a set of headphones that are open
through the ear cups (with perforated grilles to let sounds to move directly through their driver housings) really would be a feat of engineering.

The Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC are available from today (September 9), priced
at a refreshingly reasonable 219, which is around $299 or AU$410.

How good are they for this money? We're working on getting our hands on a
set. As soon as we know, so shall you. The best noise cancelling headphones for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best noise cancelling headphones 1. Best overall: Sony WH-1000XM6 2. Best mid-range: Bose QuietComfort Headphones 3. Best under $100/100: 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 4. Best under $60/50: Soundcore Q30 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/wireless-headphones/audio-technica-just-launch ed-its-first-wireless-open-back-headphones-with-an-affordable-price-tag-and-no ise-reduction-and-i-must-try-them


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