Sony has long been known for its exceptional active noise cancellation technology in the world of true wireless headphones. However, Technics is now stepping up its game by introducing its flagship EAH-AZ80 true wireless headphones.
As a direct competitor to Sony’s WF-1000XM4, the EAH-AZ80 aims to deliver ultra-premium sound quality, comfort, and an array of impressive features. Let’s dive into this Technics EAH-AZ80 review to see how it stacks up against the competition.
Technics EAH-AZ80: Design and fit
The EAH-AZ80 headphones feature a larger-than-average bud design with a distinct look and feel. They’re not as chunky or large as Sony’s bud, though. The size is perfectly shaped to nestle and lock into your ear perfectly. The earbuds offer a very comfortable fit for extended wear and one that’s relatively secure.
For some of us, the earbuds don’t stay in place during intense physical activities like running. As such, the inclusion of seven different ear tip sizes ensures a near-perfect fit for every user. The AZ80 strikes a balance between comfort and durability with a design that is both lightweight and sturdy. The buds are also IPX-4 water resistant, making them perfect for the gym and even a rainy day outside. Just don’t get the case wet.
Technics EAH-AZ80: Features and controls
By utilizing touch sensors for controls, each bud’s face serves as a button on the EAH-AZ80 headphones. We greatly appreciate how customizable these touch controls are. The single, double, triple tap, and long press on each bud are easily configurable. The touch controls manage playback, volume, ambient sound, and the voice assistant.
The fit sensor automatically plays and pauses the audio when you put them on or take them off. We can’t live without this convenient feature. Also, for convenience, you can connect up to three Bluetooth devices at once so you can seamlessly switch between a phone, laptop, and even a tablet.
Technics EAH-AZ80: App and noise cancellation
The Technics Audio Connect app is simple and flexible — we really dig the UX. The only quirk with the app is that it’s often slow to connect to our headphones while listening to music. In the app, you can configure how strong you want noise cancellation. There’s even a feature that lets you choose the ANC frequency that best compliments your ears. Unfortunately, we found the active noise cancellation to be just alright. It falls short of Sony’s.
The ANC is clean and natural, but it is not tough enough on noise for what we’d expect. We can still hear more train, plane, and treadmill noise than we should for premium ANC. Although the active noise cancellation is light, it still removes noise and makes for a quieter environment to listen to music at a more reasonable volume.
We enjoyed having ANC on all the time. There’s also ambient sound control if you want to be more in tune with your surroundings. We’re rarely a fan of this feature, but it works all right if you want it.
Technics EAH-AZ80 battery life and charging case.
The EAH-AZ80 headphones offer a fairly good battery life. With active noise cancellation, the buds can play music for 7 hours. The charging case affords an extra 17 hours for a total listening time of 24 hours.
A 15-minute quick charge delivers 70 minutes of playback. The inclusion of both USB-C and wireless charging options adds to the overall convenience factor. The charging case is fairly average in size and perfect for pocketing.
Technics EAH-AZ80: Microphone and sound quality
Where the EAH-AZ80 truly shines is its audio quality. These headphones, equipped with 10mm free-edge aluminum drivers, deliver hi-res audio with incredible detail and crispness. The natural bass response adds depth and richness to your music, offering a truly delightful audio experience.
Technics has also included various audio presets and a custom equalizer in the app, allowing you to fine-tune the sound to your liking. These can make a huge difference. We think the default profile sounds amazing and are surprised by how much more enjoyable and lively the dynamic preset is. These headphones are a lot of fun to listen to, and there isn’t a genre that doesn’t sound exceptional.
The premium audio quality competes well with Sony’s WF-1000XM4 and Bowers & Wilkins’ PI7; at this level, the best will come down to personal preference. Technics has included eight high-sensitivity MEMS microphones to help with noise cancellation and voice quality while on calls or when recording something.
The JustMyVoice feature excels at focusing on your voice and nearly eliminating background noise. It is impressive. That said, the voice has some slight distortion, but this isn’t uncommon; they seem pretty evenly stacked against Sony’s microphone, perhaps reducing more noise but with a touch of extra distortion with voices.
Technics EAH-AZ80 review: Final thoughts
The Technics EAH-AZ80 true wireless earbuds prove to be a worthy contender in the premium active noise-canceling earbuds market. They’re fantastic for all-around everyday headphones, with the most notable drawback being that their ANC is not as strong as the competition.
The headphone’s sleek design, exceptional audio quality, and comfortable fit make for an enticing package. The app makes it quite easy to personalize the buds and make them notably better. Priced at $299.99, they’re expensive, but they do hold up against Sony’s WF-1000XM4 and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 true wireless headphones, as the Technics EAH-AZ80 are a little less bulky and offer pretty similar features.
If you’re in the market for premium true wireless headphones, the Technics EAH-AZ80 is definitely worth considering. They’re currently available in black and silver from Amazon.
Technics EAH-AZ80 review: FAQ
What are the key features of the Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds?
The Technics EAH-AZ80 is one of the best wireless earbuds that come with noise-cancellation (ANC) technology. They support the LDAC audio codec and have a new 10mm driver for enhanced sound quality.
What is the battery life of the EAH-AZ80 headphones like?
The EAH-AZ80 earbuds provide up to seven hours of playback on a single charge. The charging case offers additional battery life of 17 hours, allowing you to use the earbuds for extended periods without the need to recharge.
Can you connect the Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds to multiple devices simultaneously?
Yes, the EAH-AZ80 earbuds support connection with three devices simultaneously, allowing you to switch between them without any hassle easily.
How is the sound quality of the Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds?
The EAH-AZ80 earbuds deliver exceptional hi-res sound with incredible detail and crispness with the support of the LDAC codec and 10mm free-edge aluminum drivers.
Do the Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds come with a dedicated app?
Yes, Technics has developed the Technics Audio Connect app for the EAH-AZ80 earbuds. This app allows you to customize the sound signature, adjust EQ settings, and control various other earbuds features.
Are the Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds water-resistant?
Yes, the EAH-AZ80 earbuds have an IPX4 rating, making them resistant to sweat and light water splashes. However, they are not fully waterproof, so avoid submerging them in water.
How is the connectivity of the Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds?
The EAH-AZ80 earbuds utilize Bluetooth 5.3 technology for seamless and stable wireless connectivity. They can connect to compatible devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Technics' sleek and comfortable EAH-AZ80 buds challenge Sony's dominance, offering exceptional sound quality with excellent personalization.