Overall Score 5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 4.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | KEF Mu7 | Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | weight | 309g | 263g |
has a detachable cable | ✓ | ✓ | |
can be folded | ✗ | ✓ | |
has a tangle free cable | ✓ | ✗ | |
cable length | ✗ | 1.2meters | |
has an over-the-ear foam | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (anc) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✗ | |
lowest frequency | ✗ | 5Hz | |
highest frequency | ✗ | 40000Hz | |
sound pressure level | ✗ | 103dB/mW | |
driver unit size | 40mm | 40mm | |
impedance | ✗ | 35Ohms | |
has a neodymium magnet | ✓ | ✗ | |
POWER | battery life | 40hours | 35hours |
charge time | 2hours | 5.5hours | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
has a rechargeable battery | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | can be used wirelessly | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.1 | v5 | |
has usb type-c | ✓ | ✗ | |
has aptx hd | ✓ | ✗ | |
has bluetooth aptx | ✓ | ✓ | |
has aac | ✓ | ✗ | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has a 3.5mm male connector | ✓ | ✓ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | ✗ | 1only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
mic sensitivity | ✗ | -44dBV/Pa | |
highest mic frequency | ✗ | 4000Hz | |
lowest mic frequency | ✗ | 50Hz | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✗ |
has a mute function | ✓ | ✗ | |
control panel placed on a device | ✗ | ✓ | |
can be used as a headset | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✗ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
The KEF Mu7 have a weight of 309g, these weigh below 320g, which we consider as the highest average a headphone should weigh for comfort during long use.
We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.
The Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT, at 263g
weigh less than the KEF Mu7 with a difference -46g
Detachable cables are cables that have connectors on both ends. One end goes into your headphone cups, while the other end is inserted into an audio source. Some new headphones, and not just the expensive ones, are coming with detachable cables, KEF Mu7 are one of those.
With a detachable cable, Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT too can use alternative cables and if the cable is pulled, it will pop out instead of breaking.
Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT are foldable, which makes them more portable. Foldable headphones are easier to transport and take up less storage space.
Twisted headphone cables can be a great source of annoyance and inconvenience, KEF Mu7's cable is designed to minimize tangling. Constant twisting of the cables can also lead to bends in the copper wires, affecting sound quality, or rendering your headphones defective.
A long cable ensures more freedom of movement, but remember that every cable based on the conducting material used has a certain amount of parasitic resistance, inductance, and capacitance. How much depends on the length and construction. Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT comes with a 1.2meters cable.
Over-ear headphones have larger earpads that fit around your entire ear KEF Mu7 have a comfortable full-size form with earcups that fully enclose your ears. This design is loved for its increased sound isolation and the fact that it won't leak sound to your neighbors.
Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT with this design offer potential for maximum bass and loudness levels.
KEF Mu7 have stereo speakers, what this means is that KEF Mu7's speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT also have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation uses more advanced technology to actively counter noise. How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 outside (noise from your surrounding) and adding -1 inside (counter sound within the device) to make zero hence "diluting" the noise.
KEF Mu7 allow you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the volume to overcome background noise.
Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT too have active noise cancellation making both devices ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. Each may work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting, mode, or noise cancellation type that you prefer for commute or that enhances your relaxation time.
Passive Noise Cancellation uses well-designed ear cups to seal out environment noise. This is used for both in-ear earphones and over-ear headphones where the headphone itself will keep surrounding noise out. The KEF Mu7 sits tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that reduces background noise and prevents your music from leaking out.
Low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device reproduces low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on the way through. Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT's lowest frequency is at 5Hz, the lower the low-frequency response, the stronger and juicier the bass.
High frequency response measures if and how well an audio component reproduces high audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on the way through. Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT's highest frequency is at 40000Hz, the higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble.
Sound pressure is the average variation in atmospheric pressure caused by the sound, the sound level .i.e how loud something is can be perceived differently by different people so we need to have the means to get an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.
The sound pressure level, SPL, is the pressure level of a sound, measured in decibels, dB, Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT's measurement is 103dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.
The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the device, its size dictates the loudness of the headphone. KEF Mu7 driver unit is 40mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful and can produce better bass.
Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT driver unit is 40mm in diameter,
making both devices similar in how loud their sound gets
, many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty reproducing high frequencies so yes, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better sound.
Impedance is the device's resistance to the electromagnetic current, as electricity flows through a conductor, it faces electrical resistance that counters the flow of current. The resistance of a wire is measured in ohms. Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT's impedance is 35Ohms, the lower the impedance, the easier it is to get higher volume and requires less power.
Neodymium magnets if used in audio devices produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output using less power to do so. They can help produce music at quite a high sound pressure level, SPL, with the use of high magnetic flux. The KEF Mu7 have this type of magnet.
If your headphones play wirelessly, cancel ambient noise, or enhance your listening experience with active features, their battery life will reduce over time. The device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. KEF Mu7's battery life is 40 hours
Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT's battery life is 35 hours. Each time you recharge your headphones, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first. But over a few years, you may find that your device, no longer plays for long like it used to.
It takes 2 hours to fully charge the KEF Mu7's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the headphones for the first time or when they have been unused for extended periods.
Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT takes 5.5 hours to fully charge the battery
KEF Mu7 have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights indicate the charging status of your headphones.
Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to determine the charging state of your headphones, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low.
A rechargeable battery is a type of electrical battery that can be charged, discharged into a load, and recharged many times, as opposed to a disposable or primary battery, which is supplied fully charged and discarded after use.
KEF Mu7's battery can be recharged and used over again.
The Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT too have a rechargeable battery.
KEF Mu7 can be used wirelessly, wireless devices allow users more freedom of movement.
The Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT also can be used wirelessly
Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. KEF Mu7 has a v5.1
Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT has a Bluetooth version of v5. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
KEF Mu7 support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power on a single cable. The USB-C plug is now part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets, it features reversible plug orientation and cable direction.
The KEF Mu7 support APTX HD, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It supports high-quality 24-bit audio (at a bit rate of 576kbps).
KEF Mu7 support APTX, a codec used for transmitting audio wirelessly with Bluetooth. It is developed by Qualcomm and supports 16-bit audio at a bit rate of 384kbps.
Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT support APTX
KEF Mu7 support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances. The KEF Mu7 can connect at a 10meters distance via Bluetooth or infrared to another device.
The Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT can connect at a 10meters distance via Bluetooth
Being an industry standard audio plug, a standard 3.5mm male connector is suitable for use with all MP3 players and computer sound cards. This means that it is commonly used in stereo headphones to your phone or connecting your phone to an external amplifier, sound bars, your car radio, etc.
KEF Mu7 has this connector giving it a wider range of connectivity with most of the sound devices out there. All plugs have at least a tip and sleeve with the number of rings that stand as a differentiating factor.
Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT too have this kind of connector
Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT have only 1 microphones, more microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise.
KEF Mu7 use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out background noise from the desired sound. Especially useful in noisy environments.
The Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT too use a noise-canceling type of microphone.
The magnitude of the analog or digital output signal from the microphone with that input stimulus is a measure of its sensitivity. Microphone sensitivity is a measurement of a microphone's efficiency as a transducer (how well it converts acoustical energy to electrical energy). Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT microphone sensitivity is measured at -44dBV/Pa
The highest mic frequency of a microphone is defined as its upper limiting frequency. With today's microphones, you can reach a frequency high reaching up to 140 kHz. Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT's highest mic frequency is 4000Hz, the highest frequency that the mic can pick up. Better for recording treble.
The lowest mic frequency of a microphone is defined as its lower limiting frequency. With today's microphones, you can have a frequency starting from around 1Hz. Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT's lowest mic frequency is 50Hz, the lowest frequency that the mic can pick up. Better for recording bass.
KEF Mu7 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises so that they can still be heard. It’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a jog but would still want to be able to hear traffic.
KEF Mu7 have a mute function, they have an option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice.
There is a control panel on the Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to.
KEF Mu7 can be used as a headset.
A headset is one headphone or pair with a built-in microphone. Headsets can be used for apps that require communication i.e. Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, games with voice chat, mobile phones, etc.
Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT can be used as a headset. since they have a built-in microphone
Carrying headphones without a case, or putting them in bags without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. The Audio Technica ATH ANC900BT come with their own special case or pouch, which is useful for safe transportation.