Technics EAH-AZ100 - Reviews & Impressions

[Andrew_WOT]

I wonder why i should bother to upgrade from my 80s if they have the same bass

If the only reason for upgrade is MOAR bass, doubt you'll find it as an upgrade, more like side grade. AZ100 sound cleaner with slightly more details, smaller form factor can also be attractive to some.

EDIT: Just to clear on this, just have done more careful A/B of both on short section of bass heavy track quickly flipping between two.
AZ100 does have slightly "more" bass indeed, but it's hard to compare two, on AZ80 it sounds tighter, not necessarily lower in quantity, when on AZ100 it's more "loose" with some "spaciousness".
The qualities are really too different to compare based on quantity alone, depending on your preferences and track you can prefer one or the other.

 

[boodi]

It's funny, most people complained that AZ80 had too much bass. AZ100 came out and reports were that it's more tamed down and not that overwhelming creeping into mids
I have both, and they are about the same bass quantity wise on Direct EQ, same ear tips to my ears.

It s even more funny then someone found the 80 sound quality great or perfect where others ( me ) found them completely bloated muddy unbearable and quite at a very low side of quality

Go figure

 

[Andrew_WOT]

It s even more funny then someone found the 80 sound quality great or perfect where others ( me ) found them completely bloated muddy unbearable and quite at a very low side of quality

Go figure

No idea, perhaps different reference earphones, fit, or taste, if not just defective pair.
I thought they were great off the bat, except of overwhelming bloated bass forcing to use Treble+ preset, but that was rectified with one the FW upgrades that made it more neutral with Direct EQ.
AZ100 are not really revolutionary upgrade, just sight tweaks here and there, definitely still far cry from proper wired IEM like tribrid Monarch MKII or even Dunu SA6.
But they are not supposed to compete in that category either, different application, still sound good enough to provide enjoyable listening in the gym or for others on the go activities.

 

[boodi]

Aviot te zx1 and Noble rex5 are closer but not there obviously

It needs still time to get at that level in sound quality
when we get there DAPs and wired IEMs will still be around but become more rare and very niche

 

[Phil2020]

It s even more funny then someone found the 80 sound quality great or perfect where others ( me ) found them completely bloated muddy unbearable and quite at a very low side of quality

Go figure

Yeah the SQ overall isnt as good as my XM4s but its not all that noticeable when your ears get use to the sound,, its very good actually.

 

[cresny]

If the only reason for upgrade is MOAR bass, doubt you'll find it as an upgrade, more like side grade. AZ100 sound cleaner with slightly more details, smaller form factor can also be attractive to some.

EDIT: Just to clear on this, just have done more careful A/B of both on short section of bass heavy track quickly flipping between two.
AZ100 does have slightly "more" bass indeed, but it's hard to compare two, on AZ80 it sounds tighter, not necessarily lower in quantity, when on AZ100 it's more "loose" with some "spaciousness".
The qualities are really too different to compare based on quantity alone, depending on your preferences and track you can prefer one or the other.

I don't have the 80s and my last Sony was the xm3. But before the az100 I had more recently been using the Aviot ZX1 and JBL Tour Pro 3, both of which feature clarity and spaciousness while the az100 is much more closed in to my ears. But I don't see that as a bad thing. It sort of reminds me of my old Sennheiser HD25 over ears, which had a special, tight bass presentation. On the az100, I listened to a track that used some old analog electric piano, and each note felt "plosive" to an extent the other IEMs could not match. So I love them for what they bring, which to me is something unique.

 

[boodi]

I don't have the 80s and my last Sony was the xm3. But before the az100 I had more recently been using the Aviot ZX1 and JBL Tour Pro 3, both of which feature clarity and spaciousness while the az100 is much more closed in to my ears. But I don't see that as a bad thing. It sort of reminds me of my old Sennheiser HD25 over ears, which had a special, tight bass presentation. On the az100, I listened to a track that used some old analog electric piano, and each note felt "plosive" to an extent the other IEMs could not match. So I love them for what they bring, which to me is something unique.

Noticed instantly and as well ( lack of spatial distancing and layering )

Yeah the SQ overall isnt as good as my XM4s but its not all that noticeable when your ears get use to the sound,, its very good actually.

My prob is I like my headphones and iems to sound like reality or akin to what I hear naturally as I put them on ( rather then having hearing adapting to a complete and very different sound and system of sounds ) , also I quite need my sets to give hints of air or openness up top

Az100 is quite better then az80 in this regard

I agree that zx1 can sound a bit incoherent vs a 1 DD units like pi8 and az100 . But brilliance resolution spaced stage and air up top largely make up for this .

 

[seekay00]

Now I found another 3 users who experiencing the same random hiccups/pops with LDAC...I'm trying to narrow it down whether it's the source device, the music platform or the AZ100s themselves. But since the AZ80s don't have this kind of problem, it's most likely the AZ100s.
Anyone else?

 

[cresny]

Noticed instantly and as well ( lack of spatial distancing and layering )

My prob is I like my headphones and iems to sound like reality or akin to what I hear naturally as I put them on ( rather then having hearing adapting to a complete and very different sound and system of sounds ) , also I quite need my sets to give hints of air or openness up top

Az100 is quite better then az80 in this regard

I agree that zx1 can sound a bit incoherent vs a 1 DD units like pi8 and az100 . But brilliance resolution spaced stage and air up top largely make up for this .

I know what you mean about adapting and share the same sentiment. The thing I fear about multi driver setups is the potential for distortion. The az100 have limited range but as I explained, they manage a texture that to me is very natural. So for now I'm staying away from multi-driver at least until I find out how xMems Cypress winds down. If it delivers on it's promise then I think that might really change everything.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

After honeymoon I personally don't think it was worth upgrading AZ80 to AZ100, "improvements" if any just not worth it.
Sound wise they are super close, was fooled by better details with stock poor fitting eartips that killed some bass and made them sound brighter, with Azla Crystal they sound pretty much the same as AZ80 with the same eartips.
Still prefer size and form factor of AZ80, easier to take in and out the case, and they sit better and secure in ears, AZ100 are always "about to fall out" when exercising, which is petty much the only time I use TWS.

 

[Phil2020]

After honeymoon I personally don't think it was worth upgrading AZ80 to AZ100, "improvements" if any just not worth it.
Sound wise they are super close, was fooled by better details with stock poor fitting eartips that killed some bass and made them sound brighter, with Azla Clear they sound pretty much the same as AZ80 with the same eartips.
Still prefer size and form factor of AZ80, easier to take in and out the case, and they sit better and secure in ears, AZ100 are always "about to fall out" when exercising, which is petty much the only time I use TWS.

I might stick to the AZ80's then because Ive had all of these problems with the rubbish XM4's. With the super strong magnets of the XM4s and not enough to grip the buds very well to take out of the case and put in the ears.... Its all good and well making the buds smaller but not if it makes using the buds harder etc. Plus The AZ80's are the first buds that actually stays in my ears and they just slot/slide in without having to use any pressure to get them in.... So if the AZ100s are worse with the things Ive pointed out, I might just buy another pair of the AZ80's when they come down in price and put them away for when the batteries fails with my current buds

 

[Andrew_WOT]

FQ comparison AZ100 vs AZ80, looks like there is indeed few db worth bass boost.
https://dhrme.squig.link/?share=Harman_Target,Technics_AZ80_ANCOff_Flat,Technics_AZ100_Def_Norm

 

[maestro30k]

I also experience stutters pops and glitch sound when using ldac with the az100. I tried it with 3 different devices and the issues persist with each device so must be the buds

 

[Coyley]

I don't have those issues using the buds with an Ibasso DX180 on LDAC.
I now have the tips recommended which create a snug fit and definitely capture the bass if people want that.

 

[maestro30k]

I don't have those issues using the buds with an Ibasso DX180 on LDAC.
I now have the tips recommended which create a snug fit and definitely capture the bass if people want that.

What sampling rate are you transmitting at? Default 96hz or 44.1 or 48hz?