Mis à jour le 10 January 2023.
The Technics EAH-A800 noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones are the successor to the Technics F70 (read the Technics F70 review). The Technics A800 is more comfortable and more musical with improved noise reduction. It is offered in two colors (black and silver) and has a price tag of €349. This latest generation of Technics 2022 headphones competes directly with the best Bluetooth headphones on the market, such as the Sony WH-H910N and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. How do the Technics EAH-A800 Bluetooth headphones compare?
Technics EAH-A800: packaging & accessories
The Technics EAH-A800 headphones come with a hard carrying case, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable (54cm) and an audio cable (107cm, straight and angled mini-jack connectors). A double mono airplane adapter, a warranty card, a quick start guide and safety instructions are also included.
Technics EAH-A800: presentation
Available in black or silver, the Technics EAH-A800s have an understated design. Aluminum and plastic are combined with a certain elegance and very careful finish. As a result, these headphones don’t draw attention, but reassure the user regarding their irreproachable build quality.
SBC, AAC and LDAC compatible, the Technics EAH-A800 headphones are certified Hi-Res Audio. Moreover, they have a battery life of up to 50 hours in wireless Bluetooth mode. They can also be connected to a DAP, DAC or headphone amplifier using a mini-jack cable. Very ergonomic, their hybrid controls (buttons and touch-sensitive interface) provide great ease of use.
The pads with their soft cover are particularly comfortable. The high-density memory foam distributes the pressure well. The fit is secure and comfortable, even when wearing glasses. The inner diameter of the ear cups is large enough to easily surround the ears.
The multilayer diaphragms (PEEK/Polyurethane) of the headphones’ 1.5’ drivers are light and rigid. They therefore provide maximum responsiveness. An acoustic chamber controls the air flow inside the earpieces. As a result, the bass is intense and deep, while the high frequencies remain precise and detailed.
Eight microphones work together to provide active noise cancellation. It is activated and deactivated on the fly via the touch interface on the right earpiece. As a result, these headphones ensure that you can listen to music without any background noise. The communication quality is also optimal for phone calls.
Technics EAH-A800: key specifications
- Coupling: over-ear
- Frequency response: 4Hz – 40kHz
- Certified Hi-Res Audio
- SBC, AAC and LDAC compatible
- Dual hybrid noise cancelling
- 5.2 multipoint Bluetooth
- Battery life of 50h/15 minute quick charge for 10h of playback
- Compact storage case
- Wearing playback sensor
- Weight: 298g
Technics EAH-A800: listening conditions
We tested the Technics EAH-A800 headphones in Bluetooth LDAC mode with an Android smartphone. This allowed us to listen to music via Qobuz and Tidal. We also connected them to a TCL 65C825 mini LED television using a standard Bluetooth connection. We were therefore able to watch movies and series. Finally, we tested their wired connection with the smartphone. We also paired them with a headphone amplifier powered by a Hi-Res Audio DAC.
Technics EAH-A800: listening impressions
Isolation and noise cancelling
The Technics EAH-A800 headphones provided great passive isolation thanks to their enveloping, soundproof pads. They effectively restricted the flow of sound in and out of the earpieces.
In addition, the active noise cancelling was particularly effective. For example, in our kitchen it practically eliminated the noise of the microwave and the extractor fan, even though it was on the highest setting. Ideal for cooking to music or listening to a podcast!
In a car (as a passenger) and in public transport (bus and tram), the reduction of driving noises was also very good. Enough to enjoy our music in excellent conditions. The ambient mode was also a success. It allowed us to have a conversation and to hear what was happening around us clearly without having to remove the headphones.
Audio playback
In Bluetooth LDAC, the sound was smooth and balanced with deep and responsive bass. The midrange was rich, the upper mids subtly highlighted, the highs detailed, without sibilance. And when we switched to wired mode (Android smartphone), the impact of the bass was clearer, the sound globally more spacious and energetic. Admittedly, the improvement wasn’t huge, but was still noticeable. When used in passive mode (headphones off) with a USB DAC and a headphone amplifier, it was even better: the reduction of the overall noise level and the improvement of the dynamic range allowed us to enjoy the qualities of the headphones even more.
On the track “Barley” from Liz Wright’s album Grace (Qobuz – 24/96), the lows had a great depth and a beautiful amplitude. Generous and even physical in Bluetooth LDAC mode, they were even more well sustained and powerful with a wired connection. The artist’s voice and the guitars also gained more precision and realism, revealing the musical qualities of these headphones. The soundstage also became wider and deeper. This was all the more obvious with “Roundabout” (Yes – Fragile – DSD64), which is much more widely distributed in wired mode, but listening to this track via Bluetooth was still very satisfying.
In short, you’ll have a lot of fun listening to your Bluetooth music with these headphones on the go. And you’ll have even more fun connecting it to your DAC or headphone amplifier at home or in the office! Too bad the included mini-jack cable is a bit short…
Technics EAH-A800: compared to…
Sony WH-H910N (€299)
Same frequency response, similar features: the Sony model, sold for €50 less, seems more interesting in theory. In reality, the Technics headphones’ 1.5’ drivers give the bass a greater amplitude and depth, without affecting the overall balance. Their phenomenal battery life, comfort and ergonomics make them more attractive.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 (€319)
The Bose model is unrivaled in terms of design. The Technics headphones are not equipped to compete in this field. In terms of comfort and noise cancelling, however, they perform just as well. As soon as you start the music, they undeniably take the lead: overall balance, spatialization, precision, energy. Technics’ engineers have pulled it off!
Technics EAH-A800: who are they for?
The Technics EAH-A800 headphones will appeal to those looking for a comfortable Bluetooth model that offers powerful, balanced sound with effective noise reduction for everyday use. They will also delight those who use a DAC or a headphone amplifier when they get home or to the office. The Technics EAH-A800 headphones reveal a treasure trove of musicality in wired listening mode.
Technics EAH-A800: conclusion
Comfortable, even with glasses, offering great passive isolation and equipped with an effective noise cancelling system, the Technics EAH-A800 Bluetooth headphones effortlessly rival the market’s benchmarks, without revolutionizing the genre. It is with their musicality that they stand out from the competition, offering an energetic, rich and balanced sound. A sound that is just waiting to flourish when combined with an audio DAC and/or a headphone amplifier. Flawless!
We liked:
- The rich and balanced sound
- The intense, tight bass
- The ease of use
- The hybrid controls (buttons + touch sensitive)
We would have liked:
- For the mini-jack cable to have been longer
