Technics EAH-AZ80 evaluate: Superb audio all-rounders

Value When Reviewed

$299.99

Greatest Costs Right this moment: Technics EAH-AZ80

$299.99

Technics is without doubt one of the massive outdated manufacturers of audio. Half a century’s value of hi-fis hasn’t left the model with an entire lot of intercourse enchantment, however as a substitute there’s a reassuring sense that this lot in all probability know what they’re doing.  

And so it’s with the brand new flagship EAH-AZ80 earbuds. It takes confidence to go toe-to-toe with Apple, Bose, and Sony on the $300 finish of the true wi-fi earbud market, however Technics has earned it. 

With an understated design, wonderful audio, and the near-unique capability to connect with three units concurrently, these are top-of-the-line choices round for individuals who care extra about how their buds sound than what model is on the field. 

Design & construct 

• Premium construct high quality 
• Selection of seven ear tip sizes 
• Chunky carry case 

The AZ80 buds look easy sufficient. Accessible in both black or silver, the buds are constructed out of plastic, however with a brushed metal-effect end on the outer touch-sensitive facet. 

That floor space is compact, the buds an almost-circle once they sit within the ear, and so they don’t jut out a lot both. 

Technics has prioritised each consolation and safety of slot in two methods. Firstly, the physique of the buds is curved hither and thither in a approach that apparently encourages them to sit down snugly contained in the conch, nestling into the organ’s precise form.  

Second, the corporate provides the buds not with the customary three pairs of silicon eartips to choose from, however a full set of seven in numerous sizes and shapes, so that you’d should have actually outlandishly proportioned ears to not discover a match. 

Each ear is completely different in fact, however a bit of experimentation shortly discovered me setup that’s stayed in place throughout working and weightlifting, and proved comfy over multi-hour listening classes. 

An IPX4 water-resistance ranking helps, making certain that these can survive a spot of rain or gym-induced sweat with out an excessive amount of hassle. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

My solely actual complaints are to do with the charging case that comes with the buds. It appears adequate, with a prime that matches the brushed impact of the buds and an engraved firm emblem, however after only a week it’s already picked up just a few scuffs and scratches that detract from the impact. 

It’s additionally on the bigger finish of the spectrum, which is sweet for battery life, however does make it really feel cumbersome whenever you throw it within the pocket of a pair of denims.  

Specs & sound 

• Massive 10mm aluminium drivers 
• Wealthy, expansive sound 
• Good noise-cancellation 

The sound is the rationale to purchase the AZ80. These earbuds sound unbelievable, and may maintain their very own towards another premium pair you’d care to strive. 

Technics has geared up them with newly designed 10mm drivers comprised of aluminium. Mixed with an acoustic management chamber and a harmoniser, the corporate says the entire setup delivers prolonged response at excessive and low frequencies in comparison with its different high-end earbuds whereas minimising distortion. 

Usually I’d inform you to take that with a pinch of salt, however efficiency right here actually is classy. These have probably the most open, expansive soundscapes I’ve heard but from earbuds, with a readability to the sound that’s exhausting to seek out elsewhere. 

Dive into the accompanying app’s EQ settings to crank up the bass and these can ship pulsating low-end with out compromise, bringing out one of the best of the slinky baseline on Males I Belief’s ‘Oncle Jazz’, or propelling a few of The Chemical Brothers’ punchier tracks ahead. 

Technics has included assist for top decision audio courtesy of the LDAC codec too, with compatibility on Android and sure different units – although iPhones gained’t assist it. You gained’t have to compromise on high quality in case you’ve bought high-res information, or subscribe to one of many streaming companies that handles that higher-end audio.   

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

In fact there’s noise-cancelling too. The tech right here is sweet, however maybe the principle audio space the place you may discover the likes of Bose and Sony draw back from Technics just a bit. 

I discovered it largely good at blocking out my environment, particularly decrease stage background noise, however noisy visitors or the music taking part in at my health club nonetheless tended to interrupt by means of a bit of. You may customise the noise-cancelling stage, however there’s no good mode that tunes it to your listening to. 

Getting an actual match with the silicon ideas helps although, and this can be the place some individuals discover the AZ80 buds higher than rivals, as a result of the seven units might permit these with uncommon ears to discover a match that they couldn’t elsewhere and thus passively block extra noise. 

As is customary now there’s additionally an ambient mode, which permits exterior noise and amplifies it barely – good when you could hear what’s round you or maintain a dialog. 

Technics has additionally labored on its noise cancellation and voice isolation tech for calls, and that is spectacular. Name high quality in noisy environments is best right here than on most different buds, making these an particularly sensible choice for distant employees who might should take calls or conferences on the go. 

Good options & app 

• Join to 3 units directly 
• Absolutely customisable controls 
• Constructed-in Alexa 

The good facet of the EAH-AZ80 buds is dealt with by means of Technics’ Audio Join app, accessible on Android or iOS. 

Essentially the most thrilling characteristic right here is assist for three-way multi-point connections. That’s loads of jargon for saying you may join to 3 units concurrently, moderately than the one or two normally supported elsewhere, so you can, say, swap seamlessly between cellphone, pill, and laptop computer. 

The one caveat right here is that you just gained’t be capable to take full benefit of each this and the buds’ LDAC hi-res assist. For those who swap on LDAC you then’ll be restricted to 2 simultaneous connections, and in reality the app will even encourage you to restrict your self to at least one gadget at a time, so there’s a trade-off to be made. 

The app permits extra management than simply that although. Sound might be tweaked, with six default sonic profiles plus a five-track customized EQ possibility, and you can too regulate the depth of the noise cancellation and ambient modes. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Impressively, the buds’ contact controls are additionally totally customisable – a rarity. You may change the impact of single, double, triple, and lengthy faucets for every bud independently, providing you with a complete of eight attainable interactions, with 9 attainable controls to assign to them (plus the choice to disable some inputs, in case you’d moderately preserve issues easy). 

Smaller choices embody swapping between a spoken notification or a easy sound whenever you change ANC modes; adjusting the auto energy off settings; and tweaking how the buds behave when one is taken out of your ear throughout playback. 

Briefly, the app delivers a lot of flexibility. 

What it doesn’t ship are any intelligent instruments to optimise the sound for you. Rival buds now typically embody exams to assist appropriate the buds’ match, fine-tune noise cancellation, or optimise the EQ round your listening to and ear form – right here, every part is guide. 

Lastly, Amazon Alexa assist is baked into the buds, although you can too use your cellphone’s default digital assistant by means of them – or, in fact, none in any respect. 

Battery & charging 

• As much as seven hours on a single cost 
• 24 hours together with case 
• Wired or wi-fi charging 

Battery life is one other spectacular energy right here. Technics’ official numbers are that the earbuds can last as long as seven hours of continuous use, with a complete of 24 hours of battery between the buds and case. 

These figures are based mostly on listening with noise cancellation on, however the extra power-intensive LDAC codec off, so figures may go up or down relying in your use. 

Flitting round between settings, I used to be all the time impressed with how slowly battery drops on the buds – simply seen inside the official app, which additionally reveals the case’s battery, and most Android telephones may also show this routinely. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

It took a full week of normal use earlier than I felt the necessity to join the case to a charger. Even higher, at that time you get the selection between wired USB-C charging or just dropping the case down on any Qi wi-fi charger. 

Value & availability 

At $299/£259, accessible from Amazon and elsewhere, the Technics EAH-AZ80 buds are not at all inexpensive – however they provide wonderful worth within the sense that they’re nearly as good as anything you can spend this a lot on. 

The apparent rivals are the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM4, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, and naturally the AirPods Professional 2.  

On sound high quality the Technics buds simply rival these rivals, and have an edge on battery life and luxury too – and of these three, solely the Sonys additionally provide hi-res LDAC audio. 

The AZ80s in all probability lag only a contact behind on the standard of the noise-cancellation tech, however is likely to be essentially the most well-rounded package deal out of the lot. 

For extra choices, be sure that to try our full rating of the greatest true wi-fi earbuds. 

Verdict 

The Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds are an surprising delight. 

There’s not loads of room for error in earbuds this costly, and Technics has delivered a set that nails all the important thing areas: audio, noise cancellation, connectivity, and battery life. 

Different pairs may look a bit flashier, and whereas the ANC right here is sweet it’s not fairly one of the best about, however few rivals are as well-rounded as these – and the mixture of hi-res audio assist and three-way connectivity is genuinely distinctive. 

Specs 

• 10mm aluminium drivers 
• SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs 
• Bluetooth 5.3 
• Energetic Noise Cancellation (ANC) 
• As much as 7 hours battery with ANC 
• As much as 24 hours whole battery with ANC 
• Wired (USB-C) and wi-fi charging 
• 3-way multi-point pairing 
• IPX4 ranking 
• 7 units of ear ideas 
• 69 mm x 36 mm x 29 mm charging case 
• 7g per earbud 
• 50g charging case