Audio Technica ATH-AL5NC Review: Wireless Freedom, Open-Back Sound

The Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC takes an unusual approach to wireless headphones, combining the spacious character of an open-back design with the convenience and features you would normally expect from a modern Bluetooth headphone.

Specially designed 53 mm drivers deliver a wide, detailed presentation, while the open housings give music more room to breathe and help reduce heat buildup around the ears. At just 240 g, the ATH-AL5NC also feels remarkably light, making it an appealing option for long listening sessions at home, at a desk, or wherever you want the freedom of wireless listening.

Battery life is equally impressive, offering up to 75 hours of continuous playback. If you do run low, a 15-minute quick charge provides up to eight additional hours of listening.

Bluetooth support includes LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs, giving you plenty of flexibility depending on your source device. Multipoint pairing also allows the ATH-AL5NC to stay connected to two Bluetooth devices at once, which is especially useful if you regularly switch between music on your phone and meetings or other audio on your computer.

A built-in microphone handles calls, virtual meetings, and in-game communication, adding another layer of versatility to a headphone that already does quite a lot.

More Control with the A-T Connect App

For me, a big part of the ATH-AL5NC's appeal is the Audio-Technica Connect app. Rather than locking you into one sound or one way of using the headphone, the app gives you several options for tailoring the experience.

EQ adjustment and codec selection: Customize the sound and manage your preferred wireless audio settings.
Low Latency Mode: Improves audio and video synchronization for streaming and gaming.
Soundscape: Plays nature sounds and other ambient audio for concentration, relaxation, or meditation.
Noise Cancelling: Available with both wireless and wired connections.
Sound Leakage Prevention Mode: Helps reduce how much of your music can be heard by people nearby.
Headphone locator: Helps you track down the headphones if you misplace them.

There is quite a bit to experiment with, particularly when it comes to EQ. I spent most of my listening time switching between the Bass Boost and V-Shaped presets depending on the track.

Listening Impressions

I listen to a lot of music every day, so rather than putting together a playlist specifically for testing, I wanted to hear how the ATH-AL5NC handled songs that were already in my regular rotation.

For these listening sessions, I used the following settings:

Noise Cancelling: Off
EQ: Bass Boost and V-Shaped
Bluetooth Codec: AAC

Die Spitz — "Throw Yourself to the Sword"
"Throw Yourself to the Sword" is one of my current jams—a groovy mix of punk and metal loaded with chunky guitars and gritty vocals. It's exactly the kind of song I like to use when listening to a new pair of headphones because there is plenty of weight, texture, and energy to dig into.

Switching between Bass Boost and V-Shaped gave the track two noticeably different flavors. Bass Boost added more weight underneath those heavy guitars, while the V-Shaped setting brought some additional energy to the overall presentation. Either way, the ATH-AL5NC handled the rough-edged sound of the track without taking away what makes it so much fun.

Stephen Wilson Jr. — "Stand By Me – Live at The Print Shop"
This might be one of the best covers of Ben E. King's classic. Through the ATH-AL5NC, Stephen Wilson Jr.'s vocals sounded smooth and buttery, immediately pulling me into the performance.

His voice remained the clear focus, while the guitar sat slightly farther back in the mix but stayed nicely centered. That separation worked particularly well here, with the guitar supporting the vocal instead of competing with it.

Miles Caton — "I Lied to You" (Sinners Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
First, if you haven't seen Sinners, I highly recommend it. "I Lied to You" has a lot going on. I hear elements of blues, gospel, rock, heavy metal, hip-hop, African rhythms, and electronic music all working their way through the track.

With that much happening at once, it could easily become overwhelming. Through the ATH-AL5NC, it didn't. The different sounds and textures had enough room to come through without pulling the song apart, keeping everything cohesive and making it easy to get lost in the performance.

Drake — "God's Plan"
"God's Plan" already has some serious bass, so naturally I wanted to see what would happen when I turned on the Bass Boost preset.

The answer: more bass, but not too much. Even with Bass Boost enabled, the low end never became overwhelming or completely took over the track. It simply gave the song more weight and impact. If you want to turn the bass up to 11, "God's Plan" with Bass Boost enabled is a fun way to do it.

Build Quality and Comfort

The ATH-AL5NC is primarily made from plastic, but it doesn't feel cheap. More importantly, that construction keeps the weight down. I never felt like I had a heavy metal frame sitting on my head, which makes a big difference during longer listening sessions.

I do wish the buttons felt a little nicer, but that's me being nitpicky rather than a major complaint.

The cloth earpads are soft and comfortable, and the open design helps keep things from feeling overly warm around my ears. Between the lightweight construction and the earpads, I could easily see myself wearing the ATH-AL5NC for several hours at a time.

Inside the box, Audio-Technica includes a leather pouch, charging cable, and an audio cable with a built-in microphone for wired connections to a computer or other compatible device.

Who Is the ATH-AL5NC For?

The ATH-AL5NC is interesting because it doesn't fit neatly into the usual wireless-headphone formula. You get the convenience of Bluetooth, long battery life, app-based EQ, multipoint connectivity, and several useful listening modes, but you also get the more spacious presentation and comfortable feel of an open-back design.

What stood out most during my listening was how easy these headphones were to enjoy across very different kinds of music. From the heavy guitars of Die Spitz to the intimate vocals of Stephen Wilson Jr., the layered production of Miles Caton, and the bass-heavy sound of Drake, the ATH-AL5NC never felt locked into one type of music.

Add in the lightweight 240 g construction and extensive customization available through the A-T Connect app, and the ATH-AL5NC becomes a compelling option for someone who wants the freedom and features of wireless headphones without completely giving up the open, spacious experience that makes open-back listening so enjoyable.

Now Available at ListenUp

The Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC is now available for purchase at ListenUp. If you're looking for a lightweight wireless headphone with an open-back design, extensive app controls, long battery life, and plenty of flexibility for different types of listening, the ATH-AL5NC is well worth a closer look.

Shop the Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC at ListenUp