Just how many (I know, they can't be counted) times have you cursed the ambiental noises, on the brink of despair and hoped one day some cool and fancy technology could rid you of these unwanted, sickening sounds? Well, weep no more, salvation is here! Audio-Technica have finalized the ATH-ANC7 headphones. So far, the "ANC" in their name does not tell you anything but it stands for Active Noise Cancelling; "active" like in really works and struggles to do the noise canceling...

Well, what's all this about, you'd ask. It's a far more complex piece of tech than I imagined before: it consists in small audio receivers or microphones, if you like, placed on the exterior of each ear piece and which capture the sounds that surround the person wearing them.

When a sound recognized as being disturbing, such as airplane, train, loud car and so on is detected, the system creates a new sound, which would cancel up to 85 percent of the first detected signal. And if you think that 85% isn't enough, think again: it is far more than any similar device could do; besides the fact that the remaining 15% would become rather insignificant when mixed with the musical sound currently playing.

The 40mm neodymium drivers inside each ear piece can deliver a more than satisfying frequency response between 10 Hz and 25.000 Hz covering about all the audio spectre of possible audible noises. Everything is actually inside the ear caps so the headphones do not look bulky and they can even be flat folded for very easy and convenient carrying conditions (inside their special bag, of course).

The AAA alkaline battery will operate the noise-canceling system long enough to allow you worry-free trips by plane or train or even liners. The headphones come equipped with 1/8" and 1/4" jacks, as well as a special adapter for the in-flight entertainment audio/video systems so you'll be connected in no time, no matter the source. These headphones can be easily used without the active noise canceling system in a passive mode, so double the fun, if I may say so.

Audio-Technica seem to have made quite serious and even decisive steps in the direction of loading their head gear with the latest technology to complement the excellence of the audition itself. And this makes us glad, especially since the announced price is a very interesting one, about $220, due to become available in this year's spring.

Photo credit: Audio-Technica.