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Technics EAH-AZ100 Review: earbuds that absolutely slap 🎧
To celebrate its 60th anniversary, Technics isn’t rolling out a retro vinyl turntable — instead, they’ve dropped a pair of True Wireless earbuds that mean serious business: the EAH-AZ100. And yes, these little gems pack in Technics’ own Magnetic Fluid Driver technology, a well-thought-out active noise cancellation, and marathon-runner battery life. In short, I tested them, and here’s my take.
I’m an Apple fanboy, and I make no secret of it 😇. Let’s get that out of the way. That said, I always keep an eye on what the competition is up to. I’ve had AirPods since the very beginning, back when everyone was mocking people for having cotton buds in their ears — and now everyone’s wearing them on the street.
For a while now, I’ve been looking for a solution that lets me listen to music at my desk with the best possible quality, good battery life, and — let’s add this to the list — the ability to block out the noise of the two monsters I have at home on Wednesdays.
Why test these Technics when I already own the AirPods Pro 2? Simply because I wanted to see what else was out there. My AirPods only hold out for 4 hours now, so I was looking for a pair that would genuinely last the day. And while I was at it, see if the sound could be more flattering.
I’m not looking for audiophile quality — I mainly listen to my music on Spotify, so no lossless version just yet. My view is that for the best sound at the lowest cost, nothing beats good old wired.
Pure technology: Magnetic Fluid Driver 🚀
Behind this slightly sci-fi name lies a genuinely cool concept: magnetic fluid injected between the coil and the magnet. The result:
- Ultra-low distortion
- Bass that reaches down to 3 Hz 😳
- Ultra-clean sound rendering, with an aluminium diaphragm for even more precision
Technically, this is top-tier stuff. The sound is balanced, detailed, and genuinely pleasant to listen to, whether it’s smooth jazz or hard-hitting electronic music.
Calls & AI: Voice Focus for your voice 🗣️
The EAH-AZ100 also features Voice Focus AI, a technology that isolates your voice even in the chaos of an open-plan office or a busy street. It works well overall, though it can sometimes give a slight “robotic voice” effect (a setting in the app fixes that).
Perfect for people addicted to WhatsApp calls on the go.
Comparison with the AirPods Pro 2 🍏
So, shall we compare the incomparable?
- The Technics offer a more natural and better-balanced sound
- The bass is more present without drowning out the rest
- Wide and pleasant soundstage (big plus for instrument placement)
But the AirPods retain the edge in active noise cancellation on high frequencies. In the city, voices come through more clearly with the AirPods. On the other hand, battery-wise: Technics blows the competition away with up to 12 hours of continuous listening, versus 6 hours for Apple 😅.
Battery life: the endurance beast 🔋
Quick rundown:
- Closer to 10h with noise cancellation (tested and confirmed — you lose about 10% battery per hour)
- 15h without
- 29h with the case
- And fast charging: 15 min = 90 min of listening. 💨
Clearly a strong point. It’s genuinely mind-blowing — I’ve never seen this on earbuds of this type. At this level, only over-ear models do better.
Touch controls & app 🛠️
The Technics Audio Connect app is incredibly comprehensive:
- Customizable touch gestures (playback, volume, voice assistant…)
- 8-band equalizer 🎚️
- Noise cancellation settings
- Multi-connection, spatialization, voice command language, etc.
Personally I use the EQ setting that boosts the treble and mids while leaving the bass at default. This setting provides a good balance for clear vocals and strong instrumental presence, without overdoing the low end. The app also includes a unique three-point pairing feature, allowing connection to three devices simultaneously — a real plus for juggling between computer, tablet, and smartphone without the hassle.
It’s refreshing to have this much control without needing an obscure cloud account or ads in the app (looking at you, Bose).
Comfort and ear tips 👂
They fit well, even during long sessions. No fewer than 10 silicone ear tips are included, making it easy to find the right size. The Technics Audio Connect app can even suggest the ideal size based on detected fit and comfort. The right tip makes all the difference for isolation and bass response.
In conclusion?
The Technics EAH-AZ100 gets a big fat YES from me. Fantastic sound, insane battery life, and a level of build quality that’s a genuine pleasure. Highly recommended for nomadic geeks who love portability and a flattering sound 🎶.
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