AUDIO TECHNICA ATH-ANC27 Noise-Canceling Headphones

Initial impressions (may add more later on) - currently my rating is ~3.5, leaning towards 3 instead of 4:

This model seems to targeting the lower-end models of other brands, Sony's and JVC's mainly. I have to admit, compared to them, it performs better. (the same can also be said for ATH-ANC1, as it is targeting the market for the highly popular Sennheiser models and in my opinion, Audio Technica did pretty well in that aspect)

Noise-canceling is there, but so is the hissing. Unlike the more expensive ATH-ANC7 model, this model introduces a fair amount of hissing. But, since the hissing stays at a constant level and does not vary in time unlike other noise-canceling headphones (like all the Able-planet models that I tried), it does not have the potential of causing headaches, so for me this is acceptable. The performance of the noise-canceling is also acceptable. I think, if you exclude the hissing, the performance is similar to the ATH-ANC7 model (cannot...Read more

I purchased a set of Audio Technica ATH-ANC27 Noise Canceling headphones five months ago because I was working in noisy places and also doing a fair amount of traveling. I have found these headphones to be a reasonable compromise between low end headphones and the high end $300 Bose models.

This type of noise canceling technology is best at counteracting smooth, steady sounds such as the incessant roar of the jet's engines, or the whir of a computer server's fans. When you put them on and turn on the switch, these sounds magically disappear. Conversations and other random types of noises are muffled but do not disappear.

When you travel by air twice a week, as I am doing, noise canceling technology really makes a difference. It just makes the flight time go by faster and more pleasantly. Similarly, when you are working in an office with lots of noise, it minimizes the noise and puts you into a kind of cocoon of privacy.

The phones use a...Read more

While I appreciate user reviews, I forego them when Consumer Reports tests a product. I also consider others (like CNET, PC Magazine, etc.) over Amazon.com users.

For this product, I clipped and pasted CR's report. The Bose QuietComfort 15 and Sony MDR-NC500D were one notch better in noise cancellation, and at $300 and $400 respectively, you should just buy one of them if you can afford it. Otherwise, if you're looking at others, your price point is lower and you prefer a better bargain.

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CR's Take
This model from Audio-Technica delivers very good sound quality and very good active noise reduction, but the combination on/over-the-ear fit may be cramped for those with bigger ears. These headphones have a closed design, so they will muffle some external sounds apart from the active noise cancellation, and limit the amount of sound that escapes from the headphones. They are best suited for those who want to reduce...Read more