Going fully Wireless IEMs. Too soon? Or are we there yet?

[Knightsfan11]

Fit 5 hours....fiddling about (U.E.) only the iem same as w/ wire. The hooks themselves so far are comfortable to wear and walk around with.
SQ EBC80 feels like it's getting enough to fire the drivers and I'm listening at 75%.
BT aptX Adaptive will not go higher than 24/48, using LDAC.

Does this have an app, to adjust EQ etc?

 

[Saraugie]

Does this have an app, to adjust EQ etc?

It doesn't using Wavelet for EQ adjustments.

 

[ac3knight]

The az100 sounds smoother and more controlled than az80. Az80 has a more "Harman curve", the treble sounds more elevated and has an overall more exciting sound while az100 has a mature tuning. Az80 has a more holographic soundstage, az100 has a more precise soundstage if that makes sense. The biggest advantage of the az100 for me is the battery life. Az80 has about 4.5hrs on ldac with ANC on, while az100 has 7hrs, which is a significant difference.

I also have both AZ80 and AZ100. AZ100 also has an internal acoustic control chamber that is possibly smaller than the one in AZ80, due to overall reduction in earbud size for the former.

Agree that AZ80 has a more holographic soundstage, though the AZ100's soundstage is still relatively wide for a TWS with overall greater clarity and less distortion than the AZ80.

As mentioned by @DigDub, the AZ80's tuning is more V-shaped with perhaps a slightly recessed mid-range. AZ100's tuning comes across as more balanced with a flatter-tuned midrange, resulting in vocals shining more via a slightly more forward vocal presentation.

Overall, I would say the AZ100's soundstage is balanced somewhere in-between the AZ80 (very wide) and Pi8 (intimate).

If you prefer sense of a wider soundstage, you may also use the Technics app EQ to cut the midrange frequencies by 2-3 notches, resulting in vocals being slightly recessed but also a wider stage presentation.

 

[Vin571]

Is the Az100's ANC a clear improvement over Az80 as suggested by the manufacturer?

 

[audioaura]

Same with me. I'm not listening to TWS at home. I have multiple bluetooth dongles that sound great, and I can use them with my favorite IEM's all over my place and get much much better SQ than with any TWS - the Vision Ears EXT II and the FatFreq Deuce are my main go to IEM basically, and sometimes the Hype 4. Now if there weren't bluetooth dongles and I had to have my wired IEM plugged directly into a phone dongle, that would make me think of using TWS at home. But it's too convenient to listen to high quality IEM at home, TWS are for on the go - ANC, Transparency mode, small case, good phone call quality - these are also important in combination with a nice SQ.

Some people who spend a ton of TWS and don't really invest in a wired IEM setup should probably consider buying something like a Fii0 BTR15 or BTR17, and a decent pair of wired IEM

Totally agree—TWS is for the streets, but at home, it’s all about wired setups. The Deuce + a good Bluetooth dongle is my ultimate combo for that perfect SQ. No contest!

 

[DigDub]

Is the Az100's ANC a clear improvement over Az80 as suggested by the manufacturer?

The battery life is vastly superior. Sound quality wise, I prefer the az100's tuning over the az80. ANC is also better on the az100.

 

[clerkpalmer]

I don't think it's impossible to have both, that is, unless the music you listen to is composed entirely of low frequency train rumbling and HVAC noise.

I think it's a question of trade offs. Focal was express in its press tour that they used a lighter touch on the ANC on the Bathy's to preserve SQ. The Apollo employs a similar approach.

 

[PixelSquish]

I also have both AZ80 and AZ100. AZ100 also has an internal acoustic control chamber that is possibly smaller than the one in AZ80, due to overall reduction in earbud size for the former.

Agree that AZ80 has a more holographic soundstage, though the AZ100's soundstage is still relatively wide for a TWS with overall greater clarity and less distortion than the AZ80.

As mentioned by @DigDub, the AZ80's tuning is more V-shaped with perhaps a slightly recessed mid-range. AZ100's tuning comes across as more balanced with a flatter-tuned midrange, resulting in vocals shining more via a slightly more forward vocal presentation.

Overall, I would say the AZ100's soundstage is balanced somewhere in-between the AZ80 (very wide) and Pi8 (intimate).

If you prefer sense of a wider soundstage, you may also use the Technics app EQ to cut the midrange frequencies by 2-3 notches, resulting in vocals being slightly recessed but also a wider stage presentation.

What about the volume - reports said the AZ100 was noticeably louder than the AZ80.

 

[JackNarrow]

What about the volume - reports said the AZ100 was noticeably louder than the AZ80.

I can confirm the az100 are louder.
Ive tried with a pixel phone and Samsung tablet with Atmos and EQ off

 

[PixelSquish]

I can confirm the az100 are louder.
Ive tried with a pixel phone and Samsung tablet with Atmos and EQ off

Perfect, thank you! Excited for these.

 

[BooleanBones]

Perfect, thank you! Excited for these.

did you get your code sorted yet?

 

[JackNarrow]

Perfect, thank you! Excited for these.

Approx 45 % is more than loud enough for me with these .with the az80 I was close to 80/90%

 

[PixelSquish]

did you get your code sorted yet?

I did! Finally their support sent me a 10% off code.

 

[helmutcheese]

Earfun Air 4 Pro+ and Soundpeats H3 included.

 

[subguy812]

Thanks again. While I do love my EX, I was just wondering if the AZ100 would be a good competitor/upgrade….?

I will compare them when my AZ100 arrive, not sure why mine are taking so long when I ordered them on the first day available...