Audio-Technica ATHMSR7NC
FLASHY AND CASHY.
THE MSR7NC HEADPHONES are the active noise cancelling (ANC) versions of AudioTechnica’s premium MSR7 offering, but are they worth the extra $210? Their appearance is more or less identical to the swish, simple stylings of the standard headphones, with the addition of a micro-USB port and a small, somewhat wobbly switch for the ANC. With memory foam earpads and headband, a meager weight, and a good deal of flex and rotation, these are the most comfortable ANC cans we’ve worn and the noise cancelling is the best we’ve heard out of the tested cabledmodels. We did notice some rather loud wind noises when even a slight breeze picked up, and this was both with and without ANC activated — perhaps due to its “triple-venting acoustic airflow design”. The sound is gorgeous with a generally neutral signature, but with slightly better clarity and an overall brighter focus than the M50x. The most glaring issue with these headphones is the price, when decent wireless ANC alternatives can be had for cheaper, they’re difficult to justify, but a quick hunt online suggests you could land a pair almost $250 cheaper.