Obviously, we at Audio-Technica love sound (“audio” is part of our name, after all). But let’s face it—our technologically advanced world, with all its wonderful machines and conveniences, can be a terribly noisy place. And that can be terribly frustrating, if not outright unhealthy. The World Health Organization’s “Guidelines for Community Noise,” for example, identify seven categories of adverse health effects from noise pollution. Besides addressing obvious issues like hearing loss and sleep disturbance, the guidelines also highlight mental health, performance and behavioral issues.

But while distracting noise is an all too common component of our everyday lives, its nature and intensity certainly doesn’t remain static. Nor does our need to reduce it. The key is in being able to control our environment to the extent that we hear everything we want—and need—to hear, while filtering out all the distracting or damaging noise.

Enter the ATH-ANC9 QuietPoint® Active Noise-cancelling headphones. In addition to its four miniature microphones (two in each earpiece) that pick up ambient noise, and the circuitry that creates a sound-cancelling signal to effectively block that noise, the ATH-ANC9s also incorporate A-T’s new Tri-Level Cancellation™ feature that lets you switch between noise-cancelling modes. Mode 1, ideal for use on airplanes, trains and buses, applies maximum noise cancellation to low frequencies. Mode 2, designed especially for use in noisy offices or crowded places, targets the mid-range frequencies, while Mode 3 creates a pristine, peaceful environment ideal for study.

So wherever you happen to find yourself—in the comfort of your living room, in a noisy office, or settling in for a long flight—the ATH-ANC9s put you in control, allowing you to adjust the level of noise cancellation to suit your environment and needs.  And with additional features like an inline microphone and controller for answering calls and controlling music (tools that work with a variety of devices, including iPhones^®, iPads^®, and many iPods^®) the ATH-ANC9 headphones not only help you reduce the physical and psychological stressors of noise, but, at the same time, to be more efficient and productive.

Check out the ATH-ANC9 QuietPoint headphones for yourself. And go on Facebook and Twitter to share with us how you use your noise-cancelling headphones.