Technics EAH-AZ80 Review: Premium Sound, Noise Cancelling, And Comfort!

These earphones offer a luxurious listening experience with high-quality sound and a comfortable design. Read our Technics EAH-AZ80 review to learn more.

The EAH-AZ80 True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds are Technics’ latest set of flagship earbuds that promise to offer top-of-the-line features and impressive sound quality. With a price tag of around $300, these earbuds are not cheap, but they are designed to provide the ultimate mix of comfort, sound quality, and noise-cancellation technology. They are intended for those who want top-notch earphones that can do it all, whether it be providing quiet on a long commute or pumping detailed music in the gym. So are they worth the investment? Read on, and I’ll let you know the scoop.

What’s In The Box

• Charging Case w/Earbuds
• USB charging cord: Approx. 0.2 m (0.66 ft)
• Earpieces set : XS1, XS2, S1, S2, M, L, XL (M attached)

Technics EAH-AZ80 Review: Specs

• Water Resistance: IPX4 Equivalent (Earbuds only)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 40 kHz (LDAC 96 kHz/990 kbps)
• Driver Unit: 10 mm (3/8 in)
• Bluetooth Version: 5.3
• Supported BT Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
• BT Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC
• BT Operating Distance: Up to 10 m (33 ft)

Technics EAH-AZ80 Review: Features/Build

At first glance, the EAH-AZ80 looks much like the EAH-AZ60, the previous Technics flagship I reviewed last year. However, when placed side by side, you see subtle differences. First, the new AZ80 charging case has a new aluminum finish compared to the metallic color plastic of last year’s model, which immediately gives it a more premium fit and finish. The earphones come in two different colors, silver and black.

The new charging case is also a little larger and heavier than last year’s, but not by much. It’s still sleek and light enough to slip into your pocket with no problem. The larger case is necessary to hold the new AZ80 earbuds, which are slightly larger than the AZ60 buds since they have a new shape. This new contour is made to fit the inner ear better.

For me, the new ergonomic shape definitely makes them very more secure and comfortable to wear. That said, the fit is slightly more shallow than the previous model, which will please some people and may cause issues for others. I appreciated the less intrusive shape.

The earbuds come with seven different sizes and shapes of silicone ear tips, making it easier to choose one that fits your ears properly. I could wear them for hours without feeling any discomfort, making them ideal for long flights or commutes. By the way, IPX4 water resistance allows the earbuds to handle sweat and water splashes.

On the side of each earbud is a sizeable textured touch control surface, which is responsive and easy to press. The touch control protocol is somewhat complex and not the most intuitive, but you can pick it up with some practice. Additionally, you can customize the location of touch controls within the companion app (more on that later). The EAH-AZ80 also has auto wear detection that stops/starts playback as you remove the earbuds from or put them into your ear.

Regarding connectivity, the EAH-AZ80 supports wireless “high-resolution” audio quality using Bluetooth 5.3 and the LDAC audio codec. It also has the SBC and AAC codecs on board for iPhone users. Bluetooth 5.3 offers almost instantaneous connection and pairing to your device, and if you have a device compatible with Google Fast Pair, setup is even quicker.

The EAH-AZ80 earbuds also offer an advanced three-way multi-point Bluetooth connection, which allows you to multitask. You can connect to three different devices simultaneously, which is a valuable feature for anyone who uses multiple devices throughout the day. The earbuds maintain simultaneous Bluetooth connections without any issues, making it easy to switch between your computer, tablet, or phone seamlessly.

The earbuds also feature wireless charging (Qi Compatible), which is convenient for anyone who hates dealing with messy cables. Wirelessly charging the case and earbuds takes about 3.5 hours, compared to 2.5 hours with the included USB-C cable. The fully charged case can recharge the earbuds about three times before it has to be charged again. There’s also a 15-minute quick charge option that provides 70 mins of playback using the AAC codec.

Regarding overall playback time, the AZ80 buds are rated for 7 hours of playback using the SBC and AAC codecs, but that drops to about 4.5 hours when using the high data rate LDAC codec. You’ll pick up an additional 1/2 hour by turning the ANC function off.

Active Noise Cancellation

One of the standout features of the EAH-AZ80 earbuds is their noise-cancellation technology. The active noise cancellation is comparable to top brands like Sony and Apple and includes a configurable Ambient (or transparency) Mode (via the app I talk about below). This means you can adjust the amount of outside noise you want to hear while still enjoying your music.

The Ambient Sound function can be set to one of two modes, “Transparency” or “Attention.” The former lets in all surrounding noise, while the latter tries to capture just human voices and reduces other unwanted external noises. Both work as advertised, but neither option sounded quite as natural as the transparency modes in the Sony, Apple, or Samsung class leaders. They both sounded a bit too noisy to me.

That said, the main noise cancellation feature works well in various environments, including loud coffee shops, busy city streets, and even planes. It’s genuinely among the best out there.

Technics Audio Connect App

The Technics Audio Connect app offers an elegant option to control and configure your wireless earbuds. The app provides voice assistant compatibility settings and quite a few customization options, like the ability to rearrange the touch controls. It also includes a battery check function (for the case and individual earbuds), preset/custom EQ, and the ability to toggle between voice and sound effect guidance.

You can also do over-the-air firmware updates, which I did as soon as I paired them to my phone. Additionally, if you want to use the LDAC codec with the AZ80, you must initially turn it on via the app. The Audio Connect App is quite busy, but it’s also one of the most capable and useful apps of its kind.

New 10mm Free-Edge Dynamic Driver

Another standout feature of the EAH-AZ80 is the 10mm free-edge aluminum diaphragm, which delivers high-quality sound with an extended high and low-frequency response. It’s also supposed to reduce unwanted resonance and distortion. The new earbuds also incorporate a new internal acoustic box design to hold the driver. This is said to optimize airflow for a natural vocal sound, powerful bass, and smooth treble.

Technics EAH-AZ80 Review: Sound Quality

When it comes to sound quality, the EAH-AZ80 earbuds do not disappoint. They offer a class-leading sound that is crisp, clear, and detailed (especially in the LDAC setting, AAC has a little less resolution). The bass is punchy without being overpowering, and the mid and high frequencies are well-balanced. I didn’t detect any harshness on the top end, often a telltale sign of a company trying to manufacture resolution with cheap components.

Conversely, the AZ80 provides “true” resolution, reproducing the proper tonality of instruments and providing accurate spatial cues. The soundstage is wide and immersive, making getting lost in your music easy. I heard a depth and focus in these earphones that I haven’t heard in any other ANC-equipped product under $300. Again, this is mainly in LDAC mode; things are a little more opaque and closed in with AAC. That said, whether you’re listening to classical music, hip-hop, or anything in between, the EAH-AZ80-S earbuds can deliver an exceptional listening experience.

Listening to my new favorite album, “Iroko” by Avishai Cohen and Abraham Rodriguez Jr., I was pretty impressed with the organic nature of the presentation. The music was wide open, and each instrument and vocal was reproduced with musicality and nuance. I also loved how everything was precisely placed in the stage. I haven’t heard another pair of wireless earphones that could play with such balance and fidelity in conjunction with active noise canceling.

Technics EAH-AZ80 Review: Vs. Galaxy Buds Pro

That said, you have to remember that these are wireless earphones, and they still will not come close to the resolution and dynamics you’ll get from a $300 wireless IEM, but this may be the closest I’ve heard so far from an ANC-equipped wireless earbud. Compared to one of my daily driver Samsung Galaxy Buds Pros, there was no comparison in sound quality, as the Technics’ earbuds had better detail, resolution, and depth. The ANC was also stronger, but the Samsung buds had a much quieter and natural-sounding transparency mode.

Technics EAH-AZ80 Review: The Wrap Up

Overall, the Technics EAH-AZ80 True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds are an excellent choice for anyone who wants high-quality sound and noise cancellation in a comfortable and convenient package. They may be somewhat expensive, but they are worth the investment for anyone who values exceptional audio quality. With their unique three-way Bluetooth connection, wireless charging, and top-notch sound quality, these earbuds are among the best on the market. The tonal balance is exquisite and plays well with every genre. These are my new favorites for use with Android phones. They are Highly Recommended!

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