Reviews

Technics EAH-A800: the best noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones?

25 February 2022

384

Sommaire afficher

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?

Test casque Technics EAH-A800 : conception robuste et finition irréprochable — *The design of the Technics EAH-A800 Bluetooth headphones is sober, the construction robust and the finish impeccable. We are in the presence of beautifully made noise cancelling headphones.*

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.

Test casque Technics EAH-A800 : étui de rangement, câble audio, câble USB, adaptateur avion — *A fairly compact storage case, a USB charging cable (A to C), a mini-jack audio cable and an airplane adapter are included with these Technics EAH-A800 Bluetooth headphones.*

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.

Test casque Technics EAH-A800 : design sobre, matériaux simples et robustes — With the Technics EAH-A800 headphones, the understated design is functional: simple and robust materials, hybrid control interface (buttons and touch-sensitive), large and comfortable earpieces. Everything is designed to make them reliable and pleasant to use on a daily basis.

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.

Test casque Technics EAH-A800 : larges coussinets simili cuir — *The large memory foam pads are covered with black leatherette. The passive isolation is excellent, the comfort remarkable.*

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 touch sensitive control interface — The rear part of the right shell (made of aluminum) serves as a touch interface to activate/deactivate the active noise cancellation and the Ambient mode (customizable via the Technics Audio Connect app).

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

Test casque Technics EAH-A800 : batterie rechargeable via USB — *The Technics EAH-A800 headphones’ battery is charged via USB. 15 minutes of charging provide up to 10 hours of autonomy. A full charge lets you enjoy 50 hours of playback!*

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.

Casque Technics EAH-A800 : test avec un téléviseur — *The Technics EAH-A800 Bluetooth headphones work very well with a TV to stream sound wirelessly, without any delay between the picture and the sound (here with the TCL 65C825 mini LED TV).*

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!

Test casque Technics EAH-A800 : application de réglages — *The Technics Audio Connect app lets you configure the headphones’ EQ, adjust the level of noise reduction, set the ambient noise mode and configure the touch sensitive controls.*

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.

Test casque Technics EAH-A800 : écoute de fichiers hi-res audio — Listening to Hi-Res audio files in Bluetooth LDAC was very pleasant with the Technics EAH-A800s. The bass was physical without eclipsing the other ranges. The vocals were natural and the spatialization very convincing.

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)

Technics EAH-A800 Vs Sony WH-H910N — *The Sony WH-H910N headphones have quite similar features to the Technics EAH-A800s, but the latter outperforms them in terms of musicality.*

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)

Technics EAH-A800 Vs Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 — One cannot remain indifferent to the aesthetics of these Bose headphones, which also offer one of the best active noise reduction systems on the market. The Technics’ design is less refined. But their comfort and performance in terms of noise reduction are remarkable and their audio qualities superior.

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.

Test casque Technics EAH-A800 : mise en situation — Well-made, the Technics EAH-A800 headphones have serious advantages for wireless portable listening and are even more accurate and balanced with an audio DAC and/or headphone amplifier via a wired connection.

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!