MPN: AHP712I
Strengths: Very good sound with NC on
Weakness: none
Very very good quality for the price and it offers a pretty good compromise between the sound reduction of closed headphones. They were a good choice over the very pricey Bose ones.
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TopStrengths: It is a good noise cancelling heaphones
Weakness: Bulky, cannot wear for too uncomfortable and material is poor.
Overall is still a good item. I purchased my on sale. Unfortunately the one I purchased has a minor defect, The cushion was falling off and I could feel with my fingers that the inner part was not properly glued and was sticky.
The control will give more power and sound, however sometimes you feel one side louder than the other.
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TopStrengths: Dynamic range, bass response, amplified volume, light weight, many plug adapters
Weakness: Poor imaging, weak high freq response, uncomfortable, noise cancelation adds to noise floor
I paid $45 on special promotion. They look and feel cheap. Though they’re lightweight, they put too much pressure on the ears and the top of the head to be comfortable for very long periods.
The sound quality was better than stock ear buds that come with MP3 players, but not as good as high quality headphones. The AHP-712 could not provide the imaging quality or high freq response of my Sony MDR-V6. The sound seemed almost monaural. They provided pretty good dynamic range and very good bass. The high frequency response was lacking.
I couldn’t really evaluate the noise canceling performance because I have nothing to compare it to. It did eliminate the sound of the clothes dryer, but I could still hear the sounds coming from my son’s computer game. The active noise canceling, powered by one AAA battery, adds some floor noise. It also seems to add artificial “loudness”, similar to many Bose products. Switching off the noise canceling destroys the sound quality to where it sounds as if it was coming across a telephone line. The volume control does add some real gain, so this would help some MP3 payers that have weak output signals.
In short, the headphones are a good match for computer games, watching movies, and highly compressed audio. For critical music listening, they just don’t work.
These are cheap headphones and not worth more than $30.
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TopStrengths: Good noise cancelling (NC). Great sound with NC on.
Weakness: NC produces some static. OK sound with NC off.
The NC works a lot better than the Sony NC-6. Sound isolation is pretty good with the NC off. With the NC turned on, the sound is clearer, but there is static in (electrical noise) heard in quiet environments. Overall, it's a good value and is much cheaper than the Bose Quiet Comfort headphones. For the best in NC, Bose still has the advantage.
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TopStrengths: super slick looking. Good noise reduction properties. At fraction of a cost to more expensive similar headphones from Sony/JVC.
Weakness: Slightly bulky to carry around.
This is a very nice looking unit. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the headphones. I also own a Sony noise reduction headphone. This is better than that and I paid 1/2 the price. The packaging is good too. Only wish that these could be folded better to carry around for normal use. Great noise reduction to carry in planes or noisy areas. Highly recommend.
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TopStrengths: Terrific sound & noise cancelling ability
Weakness: Slightly bulky and take some getting used to before they feel comfortable
These are very good quality for the price. After reading reviews posted around the web, I decided to give these a try. Once I got used to the size and weight of these headphones, I was very impressed with them. The sound quality is great as is the noise reduction. I don't believe you can find anything better at their price point.
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TopStrengths: The noise reduction works quite well.
Weakness: flimsy materials used which resulted in my right ear piece snapping off after a short time. Also too bulky and will not fold away.
Best in price range but a flimsy piece of plastic (5mm x 2mm) which holds the head phones onto the headband is far too small and weak to last. Mine broke off after the third time I used them which now makes them unusable.
Probably best to pay a little more for better build quality and is less bulky.
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TopVery good noise reduction. Especially effective on road noise when using them in the car. Decent sound quality when listening to music given what they are doing. Sound quality of music with noise reduction turned off is poor, but so what. When not plugged into an audio playback device and with noise reduction on, a slight hiss is apparent. I would recommend this product.
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TopStrengths: Very comfortable, cheap, decent base (when NC on), good battery life
Weakness: Horrible sound when NC is off. Random buzz occurred when NC turned on and won't go away - I had to RMA it.
If you're looking for an OK noise cancelling headphone that ONLY works when NC is on, then get this one. It's very comfortable, and the sound quality is decent if there is no buzz. Once there is buzz when turn on NC, then something is loose inside. Just RMA it with Altec Lansing, and you'll be much happier with it.
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TopStrengths: Comfortable to wear for a long time; high quality sounds
Weakness: fragile; flimsy plastic materials; too bulky to conveniently carry it around on a long trip
The AHP-712I is decent for the sale price I paid for but it has so much room for improvement. First, it should have reduce more ambient noise with its size but its noise cancellation circuitry actually adds some white noise if you listen to it carefully. Second, it is too big and cumbersome to carry around on a trip by, plane, bus, train, car or boat, and could not be folded into a small pack like some other competitive headphones on the market. Third, the product material appears to be made out of cheap plastic and therefore, might not be durable enough for any long term use on frequent travels. Fourth, a fully charged AAA Nimh battery only lasts for about 8 to 10 hours, so be prepared to bring some spare batteries with you on a long trip.
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TopThese headphones are fairly good for the price, they don't look expensive (buy the Bose if you want expensive looking ones), however they do a good job. I just got back from a trip to Europe and used them on the plane, and they block great deal of the noise that usually bothers you on a 9hrs flight. I had never used this type of headphones and was expecting something more drastically noticeable, but I guess they are ok. For what I paid for them (around $40.00), I think is a good buy, would not paid more than this. With the noise reduction off, the volume is really low, when on, volume increases a bit more. They are relatively comfortable, I was able to have them on for long period of time, and they didn't bother my ears.
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TopStrengths: Not too expensive; reducing noise as advertised; shipped with airplane connector
Weakness: Have to turn on noise reduction at all time for better sound; cheap plastic; flimsy built
I would only recommend the AHP-712I noise reduction headphone if you could get it for a quarter of the suggested retail price since its built is quite flimsy with cheap plastic materials. It does reduce noise as advertised and is comfortable to wear for a long period of time with its light weight. However, it is very bulky and could not be completely folded for travelling. Altec Lansing should have provided a strong plastic case for better protection of such a fragile headphone instead of just a cloth bag.
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TopStrengths: Comfortable to wear, decent sound reproduction, blocks out annoying airplane noise pretty well
Weakness: Bulky to store and the dongle holding the battery is a pain
I've had these now for a little more than 3 months and all in all they have been OK. On the upside, they are comfortable headphones that don't bother my ears even when wearing them for long periods of time. On the downside, that dongle that holds the battery and the on/off switch is annoying as heck. I'm always catching it on things and ripping the headphones off my head. For the price these were originally going for, they aren't worth it but if you can find them for under $40 and you're in the market for cheap noise canceling headphones then I'd give them a go.
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TopStrengths: Good noise cancelling function. Pretty comfortable during extended use. Works well with in-flight movies and MP3 audio sources.
Weakness: A bit on the bulky side. Travel pouch offer no protection to unit. Wiring can get easily tangled.
The AHP-712I has been a very good purchase for me. I bought them specifically to reduce noise on long flights and for that purpose they do a good job. They're pretty comfortable. I've had them on continuously for 6 hours on an international flight with no problems.
They seem to do well for people with larger noggins, so I'm very pleased. The only thing I would change is the wiring. Since the battery unit and plug are separate from the headphone, the wires can get easily tangled. But for $45 it's a no brainer compared to the $300 Bose. The quality and build are pretty good too.
Thumbs up!
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TopStrengths: Inexpensive, Great Sound Quality, Active Noise Reduction
Weakness: Slightly bulky to carry around, uncomfortable to wear for more than an hour continuously, white noise in the background.
I got these at a reasonable price. They are pretty comfortable for the price and the sound quality is fantastic.
The Noise reduction control is a bit bulky and requires a battery. No volume control on the headphones. Ears may get uncomfortable after hours of continuously use.
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TopStrengths: I travel frequently and have been looking for a decent pair of noise cancelling headphones for the el and the plane. This pair of headphones is great for those noisy places without breaking the bank. The only downside is that the sound quality diminishes
Weakness: None so far
For what I paid, these headphones are a great bargain. They are very comfortable, feel well-built, and sound great. I noticed many reviewers said that the headphones sounded better with the noise cancellation on. I disagree. With it turned on, the music gets much louder (in addition to cancellout out noise it amplifies/equalizes the music), but bass is exaggerated and midrange vocals sound somewhat like they're coming through an AM radio. It also makes a very noticeable hiss. While it's not as bad as hearing a droning air conditioner or traffic driving by, it is annoying in a quiet environment. The sound quality with NC turned off is excellent- everything from bass drums to acoustic guitars sounds very detailed and natural. However without the amplification it provides, these headphones require a LOT of power. I listen to music on my computer, and my last set of headphones would be painfully loud with the volume slider at 10%. While these are similar with NC on, when it's turned off, I need to adjust the volume to about 70% to get the same loudness. My portable MP3 player can't push them to a very high volume unless I turn NC on. However since I'm typically outdoors in noisy environments when I'm using it, this isn't a problem. Overall these headphones are a great value, they sound excellent, and the noise reduction is quite effective. However, in quiet areas make sure your music source is capable of providing the power that these headphones need to sound good with noise cancellation turned off, because in those cases it's just an annoyance.
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TopStrengths: Excellent noise reduction, rich full sound, comfortable ergonomic fit, 2 cord lengths, airplane and quarter adapters included.
Weakness: Doesn't fold down as compactly as other brands, but does fold flat. The soft accessory bag is a bit bulky.
After trying other NR headphones, I am impressed with the Altec Lansing. I primarily became interested in NR after my ears would ring for hours after mowing my yard with my lawn tractor and doing other yard work with power equipment, and my goal was to save my hearing. For a millisecond I thought about the Bose, but couldn't see spending $300. So I first tried a $50-60 set of QZ Pro's from KOSS but they quickly lost both audio channels due to a defective cable although the NR still worked. I decided to give Altec Lansing a try when I saw them deeply discounted from $149. I immediately noticed these headphones instantly seal out most ambient noise when worn and the active noise reduction is outstanding. These headphones enable you to clearly hear music and even talk radio while mowing with a noisy 18.5 HP lawn tractor at full speed. Results are great even while weed-whacking and leaf blowing. They are quite comfortable for extended wear, so they will be good for long flights, and the angled headband won't hit the headrest if you want to put your head back.
I found these headphones sound best if you can use them with a graphic equalizer, as the rich bass sound will distort if the level is too high. The good audio range has a great sound that you can adjust to your liking with an equalizer. The longer cord option is a great feature when I need additional mobility when I am in my office. I find I can really focus and be productive when I can eliminate the ambient noise and chatter with some great sounding music. The shorter cord is nice if you don't have a need to move around, like when you are on a flight. A AAA battery is required.
These headphones are intended for a noisy environment, so yes, you will hear a hiss if you switch on the ANR in virtual silence as there is minimal noise to cancel. Overally, I am extremely satisfied with my purchase and find this product to be a great value, and most importantly I'm saving my hearing.
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TopStrengths: Excellent sound quality, reducing outside noise greatly, light weight
Weakness: Bulky, tight, not very comfortable when using it at first
The retail price is about $150. This is unbelievably high, and the headphone definitely does not deserve that much. Well, I get it at about $30. This is a reasonable price for this headphone. The sound quality is great, and I can feel that the outside noise is greatly reduced. At first, I felt uncomfortable when wearing it, for it is tight. Right now, I have no problem with it. Great headphone for not much money.
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TopStrengths: Accessories supplied. Otherwise nothing.
Weakness: Sound quality, appearance, comfort
I have tried Bose (The best, but too expensive) and I have SONY NC-6 for 1 year now. I decided to buy Altec Lansing this time, based upon price ($ 30 @ Buy.com). My comparison is mostly based upon SONY NC-6, as it is in a similar price range.
The package was very difficult to open. Good accessories. The headphones looked cheesy. Silver coated plastic to look like metal.
Fitting was tight and uncomfortable after about 30 minutes. I am hoping that eventually the tension may decrease with use. The cups are soft, but a little small.
Sound quality- to me was unacceptable - with and without NR. Without NR, the volume needs to be jacked up. Lost bass and the sound quality was like a radio. With NR, there is a "hiss", but quality slightly improves, but still not acceptable.
The carrying case is cheesy also. Something I would not be proud of in public.
SONY NC-6, on the other hand, has much better sound quality with NR off or on. Easier to fit as SONY does not have cups. Great looking case.
The list price for Altec Lansing is $ 149 !. I am not sure how do that come to this number (unless it is for 5 of them!). I think that this is their way of selling their headphones ($ 30 for $ 149 list sounds very attractive). Personally, I would not pay more than $ 20 for them. I would return mine if I could. Next-time definitely buying a SONY.
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TopStrengths: Great Sound Quality. Keep out the peripheral noise.Headphones fit very well
Weakness: N/A
excellent value! excellent sound! I'm very impressed with these headphones. They have excellent sound quality, and outside noise is greatly reduced. Of course when you first turn it on in a perfectly quiet room, you do hear a little hiss.However, when I took the fight with this headphone,the headphones worked great and I did not hear the hiss at all.
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TopStrengths: Active Noise Reduction, Sound Quality, and accessories
Weakness: None
The Headphones are great. They follow in the line of Altec Lansing products. They make the sound come alive. I have not used any of my other Headphones since I got these. I have even purchased some of these for others. I probably would not pay $149.95 (List price) but for $27 is an excellent purchase.
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TopStrengths: cancels out the noise that I want it too
Weakness: small humming, white noise in background
background: I work in an cubicle environment. There's a coworker that's always on personal call and talks about how is ex-wife is a b***h... blah blah blah. So I wanted to buy something to drown out his freakin voice.
I've used the Bose QuietComfort 2 before and I have to admit, it's a great pair of noise canceling headphones... but I can't bring myself to spend $299 on it. So when I saw this set for $27.99 on buy.com - I figured why the heck not.
It does what it advertise it does - I can't hear my coworker anymore. When there's dead noise (switching in between songs), you can hear a little white noise. But when the music's playing, you can barely hear it. Overall... I'm content with this purchase (especially for under $30).
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Testseek.com has collected 5 expert reviews for Altec Lansing AHP 712i and the average expert rating is 88 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.
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“Noise canceling” headphones have been around for awhile, but only recently have the prices dropped to levels most of us can afford. While the BOSE Quiet Comfort 2 still reigns supreme in both price and performance, dozens of manufacturers, have introduced competing models at a fraction of the cost. A good example is Altec Lansing’s AHP 712i which sells at just a quarter of the price.
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Altec Lansing 712hi
Strengths: Good Bass. Airplane plug. Two chords of differnt lengths.
Weakness: Backgrounnd "Bzzzz" when ANR is turned on. This "bzzzz" is very noticible at low volumes like breaks between songs. Also very noticebale with classical music such as piano music.
Noise cancelling works ok. Don't expect anything like Bose Quite Comfort. If you can't stand the background "bzzzz" then you might try some non ANR headphones. Other than that these work great for pop, rock, and otherloud music!
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