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- The Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC is the brand’s first wireless open-back headphone.
- It combines 53mm drivers, LDAC support, Multipoint connectivity and up to 75 hours of battery life.
- Noise Reduction and Sound Leakage Reduction features help limit sound entering and leaving the headphones.
Open-back headphones are great when you’re sitting at home, plugged into something expensive, and nobody else cares that they can hear half your playlist come out the back of your headphones. They’re less convincing on a train, in a busy office or anywhere else you might want a bit of privacy.
That’s what makes the new Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC an interesting choice in the world of premium wireless headphones. The Japanese audio brand has finally cut the cord from its open-back lineup, giving the format Bluetooth 5.3, LDAC support and up to 75 hours of battery life.
But wireless connectivity is only one part of the equation. With open earcups, outside noise can still get in, and your music can still get out. Audio-Technica knows that too, which is why the ATH-AL5NC also includes Noise Reduction and a separate Sound Leakage Reduction mode designed to make that trade-off a little easier to manage. That is, of course, if you’re not blasting at max volume.
1/7Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC Key Specifications
- Type: Open-back dynamic
- Drivers: 53mm
- Frequency response: 20Hz to 40kHz
- Weight: Approx. 240g
- Bluetooth: 5.3
- Codecs: LDAC, AAC, SBC
- Battery life: Up to 75 hours
- Battery with Noise Reduction: Up to 50 hours
- Quick charge: Up to 8 hours from 15 minutes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth Multipoint and 3.5mm wired
- Price: USD$279 / AUD$499
What’s The Deal With Wireless Open-Back Headphones?
As we’ve explained in our open-back vs. closed-back headphones buyer’s guide, open-back headphones deliberately allow air and sound through the rear of the earcups. That can create a more natural sense of space and stop heat from building up around your ears, but it also means you sacrifice isolation.
That trade-off is usually easier to accept at home, where you’re listening in a quieter room and probably don’t care if somebody nearby can hear what you’re playing. Add Bluetooth, though, and suddenly the temptation is to treat them like any other pair of wireless headphones.
It’s a battle between the noise coming in and the noise going out, which is worth remembering if there’s someone else in the room. Audio-Technica says sound leakage can still be audible at higher volumes, even with Sound Leakage Reduction mode enabled. Likewise, the Noise Reduction function is designed to reduce distractions such as air-conditioning hum, traffic and other low-level ambient noise. It still doesn’t turn the ATH-AL5NC into the kind of sealed ANC headphone you’d wear on a flight, on the bus or in the office.
1/3Audio-Technica Makes Its Headphones Easier To Live With
The ATH-AL5NC makes the most sense around the house, at a desk, or anywhere else you want open-back sound without being tied to a source.
At 240g, it’s relatively light for an over-ear headphone, with Audio-Technica saying the open housings improve airflow and reduce heat buildup. There’s also little point in cutting the cable if you’re constantly hunting for a charger, and 75 hours of battery life is plenty. Even with Noise Reduction switched on, that drops to a still-substantial 50 hours, while a 15-minute charge can add up to eight hours of listening.
Multipoint pairing should also suit anyone bouncing between a work laptop and phone, and there’s a built-in microphone for meetings or gaming. LDAC supports wireless audio up to 24-bit/96kHz, while a low-latency mode is available for games and video. And if you eventually decide you do want a cable again, Audio-Technica includes a 1.2-metre 3.5mm lead with an in-line microphone and controls.
Price and Availability
The ATH-AL5NC looks like a strong option for anyone who already likes the spacious, breathable nature of open-back headphones but wants the freedom to move around the house, work at a desk or game without staying tethered to an amp or laptop. Just remember, going wireless doesn’t make them private, particularly once the volume starts climbing.
The Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC is available right now for AUD$499.
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