I wasn’t impressed by the final pair of Technics earbuds I reviewed. The AZ70W was the primary set to hold the enduring turntable model’s brand after Panasonic relaunched it in 2014. The 2020 mannequin did some issues properly for $250, however inconsistent audio efficiency stored them from being a serious contender. The corporate adopted up in 2021 with two more wireless earbud options, and 2023’s AZ80 was well-regarded by many reviewers for its sound high quality.
For its 2025 mannequin, Technics dug into its bag of tricks to enhance the already mighty AZ80, leading to the AZ100 ($300). These flagship earbuds provide all-new drivers, adaptive energetic noise cancellation (ANC), AI-tinged voice instruments, Dolby Atmos spatial sound and one neat software not one of the competitors does. And fortunately, the AZ100 makes good on the promise of “epic, reference-quality high-resolution audio.”
Sound high quality
I’m properly conscious that I’m skipping a number of generations of Technics earbuds for the reason that AZ70W, however that additionally means I’ve a a lot clearer image of how a lot the corporate has improved for the reason that starting. The AZ100 is a sonic marvel in comparison with that first mannequin, providing among the finest sound high quality in any of the a whole lot of earbuds I’ve examined through the years.
The expertise behind the audio enhance is new magnetic fluid drivers. Technics says they provide “low distortion, correct bass and excessive decision.” These elements have been developed with the corporate’s know-how from its $1,200 EAH-TZ700 in-ear monitors (IEMs), which additionally pack in 10mm magnetic fluid drivers. The fluid is built-in into the voice coil of the driving force to make sure exact motion of the diaphragm, resulting in minimal distortion and glorious readability throughout the soundstage.
Technics additionally took care to enhance bass efficiency on the AZ100. These drivers assist with that, however the earbuds even have a brand new acoustic management chamber and harmonizer to develop the low-end capabilities. It additionally doesn’t harm that the AZ100 helps each Dolby Atmos for spatial audio and Sony’s LDAC high-res wi-fi audio codec. Whereas the previous is widespread on flagship units, the latter is uncommon outdoors of Sony’s personal earbuds and headphones.
The AZ100 is at its finest with high-res tunes like Apple Music’s Dolby Atmos catalog. With L.S. Dunes’ alt-rock/post-hardcore Violet, the earbuds ship massive, punchy bass that is still tight and detailed. The kick drum, for instance, has a thunderous cadence and serves as a primary canvas for the refinements Technics made to the audio platform on the AZ100. Even older albums from the early aughts, like The Appleseed Forged’s Mare Vitalis, envelop you with drums, dueling guitars and the ambiance of a dwell efficiency reasonably than a recorded album. That’s spectacular when you think about that is streaming lossless on Apple Music, not Dolby Atmos.
Talking of spatial audio, that’s the one space the place the AZ100 stumbles by way of sound high quality. That immersive mode is on the market with or with out Dolby dynamic head monitoring, and when it’s toggled on, the sound will get too skinny for my liking. The power that the improved bass brings to the inventory tuning is gone, leaving a extra sterile audio profile that’s a bit boring.
ANC efficiency
Regardless of Technics’ use of its “most superior” noise-canceling tech, the AZ100 lags behind one of the best in that regard. These earbuds do make use of adaptive ANC that routinely adjusts to your atmosphere, however it’s not so good as what Bose provides on the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. The AZ100 will serve you properly in some conditions, however like a lot of the competitors, they don’t deal with chatty neighbors within the workplace properly and don’t silence fixed noise sources like followers and white noise machines.
App and options
Each earbud firm provides a companion app these days, though their utility can range enormously. Technics has packed lots into its software program, and most of what you want steadily is true on the house display. As soon as the AZ100 is paired along with your cellphone, the app exhibits battery life for the earbuds individually and the case up prime. You then get a utilization information, noise cancelling controls, EQ presets and a Voice Focus AI Check. Alongside the underside, there’s fast entry to ambient sound, EQ and the extra detailed settings menu.
That settings menu is the place issues begin to get complicated. Merely put, there are such a lot of choices right here that it will possibly all be overwhelming. And in some instances, gadgets that ought to be increased up are nearer to the underside — like customizing the contact controls. Spatial audio can solely be activated from this menu, which I’d argue ought to be an merchandise on the house display. There’s lots right here that can assist you configure the AZ100 to your liking, however it’s going to take a while to seek out every thing you want.
One distinctive function that Technics provides is multipoint Bluetooth connectivity for as much as three gadgets. I haven’t skilled this on another earbuds, however the function isn’t with out caveats. First, LDAC audio can’t be used when three gadgets are linked, almost certainly because of the constraints of Bluetooth. In truth, Technics recommends disabling multipoint if you wish to hearken to LDAC-quality tunes. With the app, the corporate lets you choose whether or not multipoint will swap gadgets throughout media playback or when a name is available in. I principally used multipoint with simply my cellphone and laptop computer, but when a pill can be a part of your each day workflow, or you’ve got a devoted work cellphone, I can see the utility of a triple menace.
Name high quality
The Voice Focus AI Check is a software that lets you hear what you’ll sound like on calls utilizing the AZ100. It’s a pleasant function to have so you may decide if the earbuds are ok for necessary calls or digital displays. And to that finish, the AZ100 sounds clear and considerably pure whenever you’re in a quiet spot. While you transfer to a louder location and the Voice Focus AI kicks in, you’re going to sound extra robotic and processed. The parents on the opposite aspect will hear you and not one of the background noise, however voice high quality noticeably suffers.
There are two choices for ambient sound — Clear and Consideration — however neither help a lot with voice and video calls. The AZ100 doesn’t pipe your voice again by means of the earbuds, so that you do have to talk as much as hear your self. When in ambient mode, Clear permits all sound by means of the earbuds with no modifications whereas Consideration focuses extra on voices. I truly discovered Clear to be the higher of the 2 in all situations, even after I was attempting to hearken to somebody speaking.
Battery life
Technics guarantees as much as 10 hours of battery life with ANC enabled, plus one other 18 hours whenever you issue within the wi-fi charging case. For those who go for LDAC audio, these figures drop to seven hours and 11 hours respectively. After 10 hours of use with noise cancellation turned on, the AZ100 nonetheless had 20 % battery left. Based mostly on the speed of depletion I skilled, that might be sufficient for about two extra hours. And when you end up in a pinch, a 15-minute cost gives you as much as 90 minutes of use.
Design updates
You need to get fairly far down the spec sheet on the AZ100 for a dialogue of the design updates. That’s as a result of the sound and tech upgrades are the actual story right here. However, Technics did make some modifications to the look of those earbuds in comparison with the AZ80, together with lowering the scale and weight. The corporate says a revised form permits the IPX4-rated AZ100 to raised hug the curves of your ears for elevated consolation and stability. That holds true because the earbuds all the time stayed in place and I by no means felt any irritation, even after hours of use.
Each the earbuds’ contact panel and the lid of the case are emblazoned with the enduring Technics brand in gold on textured metallic (on each the black and silver shade choices). This positively provides the entire set a premium look, though I’m positive not everybody can be thrilled with the gold. Not one of the design modifications are an enormous departure from the AZ100’s predecessor, however the considerate refinements, particularly to the form and match, are notable.
The competitors
Earlier than the AZ100 arrived, Bowers & Wilkins stood atop Engadget’s best wireless earbuds list in one of the best sound class for a very long time. Not too long ago, the corporate was relegated to quantity two by the hands of the unimaginable however dear FoKus Rex5 from Noble Audio. Neither Bowers & Wilkins nor Technics can compete with the five-driver setup that Noble provides, however the two firms provide glorious audio high quality for lower than the $449 price ticket on the FoKus Rex5.
For the reason that competitors is now for second place, I give the sting to the AZ100. There’s lots to love about Bowers & Wilkins’ Pi8, and should you favor a extra pure sound with much less boomy low-end tone, they’re most likely the choose for you. For me, I just like the added bass the brand new Technics drivers present and there’s an extended record of options for the AZ100. When it comes to ANC efficiency, I additionally give the nod to Technics, plus the AZ100 is $100 lower than the Pi8.
Wrap-up
It’s laborious to comply with a extremely regarded product with one other nice one. Maybe that’s why plenty of audio firms not often make enormous modifications to earbuds and headphones for brand spanking new fashions, selecting as an alternative to maintain sound high quality and ANC efficiency constant. “If it ain’t broke…” and all that.
Technics thought it might make its well-reviewed AZ80 even higher by borrowing tech from one other entry in its portfolio and the gamble has definitively paid off. Positive, you’ll find higher noise-canceling efficiency with Bose and extra fashionable options with Sony, however Technics has formulated glorious sound high quality that few can problem. I’d say that Best of CES award was well-earned.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/technics-az100-review-supreme-sound-quality-and-a-unique-bluetooth-tool-150038587.html?src=rss
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