Technics AZ100 earbuds evaluate: audiophiles and multitaskers unite

It may be surprisingly formidable to observe up on a fantastic pair of earbuds. The target is to make enhancements wherever potential with out sacrificing something that folks liked in regards to the earlier set. That’s the place Technics discovered itself with the $299.99 EAH-AZ100 earbuds, which it introduced at CES 2025. I used to be somewhat taken with the corporate’s final flagship set, the AZ80, due to their wealthy sound and distinctive means to pair with three gadgets on the similar time. The brand new buds look to reinforce these strengths with much more dynamic audio, longer battery life, and extra succesful lively noise cancellation.

Technics even rethought the core sound. Contained in the A100s are new “magnetic fluid” drivers — and sure, there’s really liquid in there. Technics places an oily substance (blended with magnetic particles) between the driving force magnet and voice coil and says this strategy, derived from its $1,200 in-ear monitors, helps decrease distortion and enhance readability past what the AZ80s had been able to. The identical goes for bass response, with the AZ100s in a position to dig down even deeper for a extra impactful thump. Regardless of the brand new strategy, there’s not a world of distinction between the AZ80s and AZ100s: each supply incredible element and presence throughout music genres, although the newer buds have extra depth and bass to my ears. I wouldn’t improve only for that, although.

Fortunately the refinements additionally lengthen to the outward design. The AZ100s aren’t fairly as bulbous as their predecessors. You lose the seen mic inlet that added a contact of Technics type, which implies these come off a bit extra uninteresting and nondescript. However I’ll take the smaller enclosure each time. These sit extra comfortably in my ears than the AZ80s. The very pocketable carrying case is barely smaller than earlier than, but it surely’s solely noticeable for those who eyeball them aspect by aspect. As for sturdiness, the earbuds’ water resistance stays unchanged at IPX4.

Ought to something in regards to the sound signature show underwhelming, you may select between a number of totally different EQ presets or save three customized modes. I’m not somebody who consults frequency charts when reviewing earbuds, however I’ve listened to sufficient pairs to separate the wheat from the chaff. These rank up there with my sound high quality favorites just like the Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 4. And I feel they surpass the AirPods Professional 2 and Galaxy Buds 3 Professional, that are a lot good in their very own proper. Supported Bluetooth codecs embrace LDAC and the newer LC3 / LE Audio protocol, so AZ100s ought to ultimately work with Auracast.

Technics can be hopping aboard the spatial audio practice. The earbuds’ companion app now has a Dolby Imaginative and prescient toggle (with non-obligatory head monitoring) that may make your tunes sound extra expansive and immersive for those who desire it. I’ve realized that some folks actually get pleasure from such a impact on sure songs — even when it’s faked/virtualized — whereas others like myself are pleased to disregard it. However for those who’re a fan, it’s there now on the AZ100s and you should use it with any sort of media in your cellphone.

That Technics app stays stuffed to the brim with different settings, they usually go far past customizing the controls or adjusting how a lot noise comes by means of within the (very crisp and pure) transparency mode. You may optimize the noise cancellation on your particular setting with a slider within the app. Need the multipoint connection to modify mechanically everytime you play music on any of your gadgets? That’s in there. You can too check how the mic sounds by recording snippets of your personal voice. It’s so much and could be overwhelming for non-techies, however I respect simply how a lot Technics crams in.

ANC efficiency is respectable — selecting the best ear suggestions for one of the best seal is paramount right here — although it doesn’t strategy the reigning champion, Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds. These have superior ANC and price much less, however can’t match up on sound. Name high quality can be very stable; Technics’ Voice Focus AI does an admirable job isolating your voice from any background ruckus. Callers informed me I sounded a tad robotic within the loudest outside exams, however they might nonetheless make out what I used to be saying.

Technics’ three-way multipoint stays a standout trick of the AZ100s. I’m not a wizard multitasker and infrequently discover myself juggling greater than two gadgets. However for those who’ve typically bought a 3rd at hand, it really works as marketed. (Simply remember you may’t use LDAC when on this mode, presumably because you’re pushing up towards the bounds of Bluetooth.) And also you’ll be listening for longer: the AZ100s can maintain enjoying for as much as 10 hours on a single cost with ANC enabled. The case supplies one other 28 hours.

Similar to their predecessors, Technics’ AZ100 earbuds prioritize audio efficiency whereas additionally managing to supply one distinctive functionality that AirPods and Galaxy Buds lack — regardless of the respective ecosystem benefits of these two rivals. However now they’re smaller, extra comfy, and last more. When you don’t want the unconventional three-way multipoint, that $300 sticker worth might sound awfully steep. But it surely’s more and more uncommon to have the ability to say “these earbuds do one thing most can’t,” and at the very least for now, that’s nonetheless true of Technics’ flagship buds.

Images by Chris Welch / The Verge