EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds review: Technics celebrates 60 years in style

For its 60th anniversary, the Japanese brand has released a new pair of True Wireless earbuds: the Technics EAH-AZ100. Inspired by the EAH-AZ80, they differ in that they feature magnetic fluid transducers and Dolby Atmos compatibility with headtracking. Active noise cancelling, Voice Focus AI, long battery life…the EAH-AZ100 are packed with improvements and features. Can they compete with the best Bluetooth earbuds from Nothing, Bose and Sony?

Included accessories

The Technics EAH-AZ100 wireless IEMs come with a charging/carrying case that is slim and compact enough to fit easily into a pocket. For charging, there’s a USB-C to USB-C cable, some twenty centimeters long. The earbuds come with five pairs of ear tips: XS, S, M, ML, L (size M is pre-installed on earbuds).

Presentation

Magnetic Fluid Drivers and Dolby Atmos headtracking

Drawing on over 60 years of acoustic expertise, Technics has equipped the EAH-AZ100 with a new magnetic fluid transducer with an aluminum diaphragm. Tried and tested in the EAH-TZ700 wired in-ear monitors, this design guarantees greater precision of diaphragm movement. The EAH-AZ100 therefore promise lower distortion and a more faithful, natural sound signature.

With a frequency response of up to 40kHz (LDAC 96kHz/990 kbps), these 2025 Technics earbuds are Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified. They are also optimized for Dolby Atmos content, and even feature Dolby Head Tracking. This function tracks the movement of the user’s head for optimal spatialization. Whether you’re watching a film, playing a game or listening to live music, the sound adapts dynamically, simulating a realistic three-dimensional soundstage.

Adaptive noise cancelling and Transparency mode

The Technics EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds automatically adapt to the sonic environment around the user, thanks to their adaptive active noise cancelling (ANC). This ensures optimum isolation, even in noisy environments (transport, office, busy streets).

To remain attentive to your surroundings, you can activate the Ambient mode (Transparency) to hear outside sounds without removing the earbuds. The Attention mode filters out background noise for clearer conversations.

Bluetooth 5.3 and Multipoint connectivity

With the latest Bluetooth 5.3 version, the Technics EAH-AZ100 earphones ensure an ultra-stable connection, low latency and optimized power consumption. SBC and AAC compatible, they also support the high-resolution LDAC and LC3 codecs for superior wireless audio transmission.

What’s more, the Multipoint function lets you connect up to three devices simultaneously. Usually limited to two devices, this feature ensures a smooth transition between several devices at the same time, such as a smartphone, tablet and computer. You can also choose to have the EAH-AZ100 automatically switch to the device currently playing music or receiving a call, and even limit the number of connected sources. A quick pairing mode (Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, MFi…) would have been a welcome addition to perfect this wireless connectivity.

Crystal-clear calls with Voice Focus AI

The Japanese manufacturer also guarantees optimum call quality with the Technics EAH-AZ100 thanks to Voice Focus AI technology. This system, based on high-precision MEMS microphones and an advanced AI algorithm, filters out ambient noise and improves voice clarity, even in noisy environments. This feature proved effective during our test. Our interlocutor could hear us clearly, even in noisy environments (wind, kitchen fan, in the car).

Ergonomic, durable design

Elegant and well-built, the Technics EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds are beautifully finished in either silver or black. They feature a metallic-looking plastic on top that’s very pretty. Designed for optimum comfort, these ultra-light earbuds (5.9g per earbud) have an ergonomic shape inspired by the concha of the ear. Together with the five pairs of silicone tips (from XS to L), they ensure a perfect fit and effective passive isolation.

Certified IPX4, these latest-generation Technics earbuds are splash and perspiration resistant, so they can be used for sports, traveling or working from home. Note, however, that the case is not waterproof. You’ll need to protect it in a bag or pocket if necessary.

Operation: app and touch controls

The Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds feature touch-sensitive controls on each earbud. They are fully customizable via the Technics Audio Connect app. It’s possible to play/pause, skip to previous/next tracks, switch between ANC modes, control the volume, answer/reject a call and use the voice assistant. The controls are easy to use, but are very sensitive and take a few moments to be emit a sound notification.

Although not the most user-friendly we’ve tested, the app (which is free and requires no registration) offers a wide range of settings and functionalities: connection parameters, customization of controls, equalizer, ANC adjustment, activation of Voice Focus AI, implementation of Dolby Atmos and head tracking modes, and so on. So you can see which features are activated and which are not.

Up to 29 hours of autonomy and fast charging

The Technics EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds offer up to 12 hours of continuous listening, a particularly long and comfortable battery life for all-day use. With the case, this autonomy reaches up to 29 hours. Another good point is that the quick charge feature ensures an extra hour and a half of listening time in just 15 minutes. What’s more, the charging case is compatible with Qi wireless technology, making it practical for stress-free everyday use.

Key specifications

• Wireless earbuds, closed-back
• 10mm diameter Magnetic Fluid Driver
• Frequency response: 20Hz – 40kHz (LDAC 96kHz/990 kbps)
• Water resistance: IPX4 (earbuds only)
• Dual hybrid noise reduction
• Dolby Atmos, Dolby Head Tracking, Voice Focus AI
• Bluetooth 5.3: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 / Multipoint
• Battery life: up to 29 hours (with case), 12 hours (earbuds alone)
• Weight: 5.9g (earbuds), 42g (case + earbuds)

Listening conditions

To test these wireless earbuds, we paired them with an Android smartphone, a Samsung TV and a computer. This enabled us to use Bluetooth Multipoint, which proved smooth and efficient for switching between devices. We listened to music in Hi-Res from the Qobuz streaming platform. Of course, we also installed the Technics app to take advantage of all the features on offer.

Our impressions

The Technics EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds offered a detailed, balanced sound signature, with deep but controlled bass that didn’t encroach on the other frequencies. The mids were warm, bringing out the best in vocals and acoustic instruments, which we found particularly appealing on Teddy Swims’ Lose Control. The Technics EAH-AZ100 responded well to the equalizer available in the app, allowing the sound to be adjusted according to the genre or to individual preferences.

The EAH-AZ100 were pleasant to wear and didn’t cause any fatigue, even after several hours of use. On Mac Miller’s Come Back to Earth, the Dolby Atmos mode provided a nice sense of space. The head-tracking function was highly effective, and will be particularly useful when watching films or playing games. However, we did notice a slight latency. If you’re looking for earbuds specially designed for gaming, then dedicated models like the AKG N5 Hybrid will be more suitable.

The adaptive ANC was effective, blocking out most ambient noise. It did, however, reach its limits with high-pitched sounds and voices, but we don’t consider this to be a big problem. The Transparency mode was also good, allowing us to remain aware of our surroundings.

Technics EAH-AZ100 VS EAH-AZ80

Technics EAH-AZ100 compared to the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4

The Technics EAH-AZ100 stand out for their slimmer, lighter and more compact design, offering superior comfort for extended use. They are more discreet and pleasant for everyday use, but are less waterproof than the Sennheiser model (IPX4 vs. IP54). One of the Technics’ major assets is their compatibility with Dolby Atmos and head tracking, which enrich the sound experience. They also offer improved battery life, enabling them to be used for longer without having to be recharged as frequently. On the other hand, the Sennheiser app is more intuitive and user-friendly, making settings and customization more accessible to users.

Read: Sennheiser Momentum TW4 review – daily distraction-free music

Who are the Technics EAH-AZ100 for?

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are aimed at music lovers seeking an immersive sound experience, thanks to their Dolby Atmos compatibility and head-movement tracking function. Their comfort and light weight make them an excellent choice for everyday use, whether in the office, on the move or at home. They are particularly suited to users who prefer long battery life on a single charge and advanced connectivity, with three-device multipoint and support for high-resolution codecs.

Our verdict

Technics celebrates its sixtieth birthday in style with the EAH-AZ100 True Wireless earbuds. Offering detailed, immersive sound, they’ll win you over with their Dolby Atmos compatibility and head-tracking function, which provide real added value. Their compact, lightweight design ensures excellent everyday comfort, while their generous autonomy means they can be used without fear of the battery running out. Adaptive noise reduction and a transparency mode are also effective. Although the app could be made more intuitive and the waterproofing could be improved, these earbuds are now a serious option for lovers of high-resolution sound.

We liked

• The Dolby Atmos and head tracking modes
• The autonomy on a single charge
• The many settings in the app
• The quality of voice capture
• The Bluetooth LDAC/LC3 and 3-device Multipoint function

We would have liked

• A more waterproof design
• A more intuitive app