Audio-Technica just launched the ATH-AL5NC, a pair of wireless over-ear headphones with open earcups. Open-back wireless models are pretty rare; typically, an open design means a wired connection, but these pack Bluetooth 5.3 and promise up to 75 hours of listening time. They feature 53mm drivers, weigh 240g, and will set you back $279.
Friends, by tradition, if a news post gets 100 likes, I get the model in hand and make a review for you. And of course subscribe to the review — I will email you the moment it goes live on MyChooz.
The main draw of the Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC is its open earcups. Because they don’t trap air, you generally get a wider soundstage and a more open sound. Plus, they’re less likely to make your ears sweat than closed-back models, and you can still hear your surroundings. The downside is sound leakage, so there’s a mode in the app to help mitigate that.
Sound comes from 53mm open dynamic drivers. The frequency range is 20–40,000 Hz, sensitivity is 103 dB/mW, and impedance is 52 Ohms. They support LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs. When using LDAC, the bandwidth can reach up to 40,000 Hz at 96 kHz and 990 kbps.
These headphones use Bluetooth 5.3 with a range of up to 10 meters (line of sight). Without noise cancellation, Audio-Technica claims up to 75 hours of music playback, and with it enabled, you get up to 50 hours. A full charge takes 3.5 hours, but 15 minutes of charging gives you up to 8 hours of playback.
The headphones are compatible with the Audio-Technica Connect app. It includes a Low Latency Mode that should keep game audio in sync with on-screen action. The app also features an equalizer, the sound leakage reduction mode, and Soundscape, which plays nature sounds or masking noise to help you focus.
The ATH-AL5NC are priced at $279.00, and they were announced on September 9, 2026. Inside the box, you’ll find a 50cm USB cable, a 1.2m cable with a microphone and remote, and a carrying case. Full specifications are listed further down.
Friends, write in the comments what you think of this new model and what you’d like to know more about in the review – I’ll do my best to answer everything.
What I’m most curious about testing in the Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC review is how well that leakage reduction mode actually works, given that open earcups inherently let sound out. But the biggest question, of course, is how they sound with that open acoustic design, and how competitive they are against other over-ear wireless headphones under $300.
Specifications Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC
Source: audio-technica.com
Every spec has been checked against the manufacturer's official source. No copy-pasting from the internet or AI-generated text.
Source: Audio-Technica
