With the ATH-AL5NC, Audio-Technica has introduced the first wireless open-back headphones in the Japanese manufacturer’s history. This over-ear model combines open 53-mm drivers with Bluetooth 5.3, LDAC support, and noise cancellation—a combination that has been virtually unheard of in open-back designs until now. The ATH-AL5NC costs 249 euros (MSRP) and is available now.
Until now, Audio-Technica has offered open-back headphones exclusively in wired versions, such as for studio and audiophile applications. With the AL5NC, the brand bridges the gap to wireless everyday use without sacrificing its characteristic open sound.
Key Features at a Glance
- Audio-Technica’s first wireless open-back headphones
- 53-mm drivers, Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, AAC, and SBC support
- Noise cancellation despite the open-back design, which is unusual for this headphone segment
- Up to 75 hours of battery life without noise cancellation, 50 hours with noise cancellation enabled
- Control via the A-T-Connect app, including a low-latency gaming mode
- Price: 249 euros (MSRP), available now
Open-back design meets wireless freedom
Open-back headphones deliberately forgo a closed housing behind the drivers. This provides a more spacious, natural sound and prevents heat buildup around the ears, which closed over-ear models often cause during longer sessions. The downside: Ambient noise penetrates unimpeded, and the sound you’re listening to is audible to those around you. This isn’t ideal for the bus or train, but it’s better suited for a quiet desk.
Audio-Technica positions the ATH-AL5NC accordingly for hi-fi enthusiasts, home office users, and gamers who value sound quality but don’t want to be tethered to a cable. Weighing 240 grams and featuring low clamping force, the headphones are also designed to be comfortable for extended wear. If you’re interested in the brand’s previous wired models, check out our review of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT for a comparison with a closed-back Bluetooth model from the same manufacturer.
Technical Specifications at a Glance
| Specifications | Value |
|---|---|
| Design | Open-back, dynamic over-ear headphones |
| Driver | 53 mm |
| Frequency response | 20 to 40,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW |
| Impedance | 52 ohms |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 (range approx. 10 m) |
| Supported codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Resolution (Bluetooth) | up to 24-bit/96 kHz |
| Battery life | Up to 75 hours (without noise cancellation) / 50 hours (with) |
| Fast charging | 15 min. = 8 hrs. playback (NR off) / 5 hrs. (NR on) |
| Charging time | approx. 3.5 hours |
| Weight | approx. 240 g |
| Cable operation | 1.2 m cable with 3.5-mm jack and microphone |
| Price (MSRP) | €249 (Germany) / $279 (U.S.) / £219 (U.K.) |
Features and Operation
Using the free A-T-Connect app, you can customize the ATH-AL5NC to suit your listening habits: In addition to an EQ, it offers a low-latency gaming mode, a soundscape mode for focus and relaxation, and a sound leakage reduction mode that minimizes sound leakage to the outside at the expense of sound quality. Multipoint pairing also allows simultaneous connection to two Bluetooth devices, such as a laptop and a smartphone.
Noise Reduction Instead of Classic ANC
The ATH-AL5NC’s eponymous noise reduction is not, technically speaking, classic active noise cancellation (ANC) as found in closed-back headphones, but rather a noise reduction feature that can be turned on and off via a button on the ear cup and works both in Bluetoothand wired modes. Due to the open-back design, complete isolation—as found in closed-back ANC models—cannot be expected. Those seeking maximum isolation are still better off with a closed-back model.
Price and Availability
The Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC has been available since September 9, 2026, and costs 249 euros (MSRP) in Germany, which is equivalent to approximately 279 U.S. dollars in the U.S. or 219 British pounds in the U.K. Full details and the official product page are available directly from Audio-Technica.
Conclusion
With the ATH-AL5NC, Audio-Technica is bringing the sound philosophy of its open-ear headphones into a wireless design for the first time, including features such as noise cancellation, multipoint connectivity, and gaming mode—features typically found in closed-back models. For anyone looking for wireless open-ear in-ear headphones instead of an open-back over-ear model, it’s also worth checking out our roundup of the best open-ear headphones. Whether the ATH-AL5NC delivers on the sound quality promised by the spec sheets will become clear in our in-depth tests.
