I got the AZ100 as I became curious after owning the AZ80. I am not a TWS guy, only use them a handful of times a year on my flights and the odd train journeys here and there. No reasonably priced portable gear can come close to the sound quality of my home system (not bragging, just a fact), so TWS is a necessity to me, and it is not really about musical enjoyment. To me pretty much all of them lack clarity, definition, balance and refinement. I don't like the commercial tuning of overblown and unclear bass, so I don't even want to listen to something like the Sony XM5. The AZ80 was not as obnoxious as the Sony but still had to EQ down the bass for some sort of a balance. Apart from that I quite liked the AZ80, mids and treble were relatively clear, non-fatiguing. Comfort was better than most other TWS buds, but my ears still started to hurt after 2 hours.
Enter the AZ100. I will try to reflect on previous points in the thread, when it comes to AZ80/AZ100 comparisons. First of all, I think the AZ100 is a pleasant improvement on the AZ80 on all fronts, but don't expect fireworks and a revelation. Out of the box I installed the firmware upgrade, so unfortunately, I cannot comment on whether the fw upgrade changes the stock sound or not. The sound overall feels clearer than on the AZ80, a little more refined and a little more neutral. Nice smooth mids and treble with a bit more clarity. Treble is perhaps a tiny bit brighter. Bass is similar, the AZ100 bass is a bit clearer and slightly less overblown in stock form versus the AZ80. I still have to EQ bass down a little bit, but not as much as on the AZ80.
Soundstage size to me is similar. Comfort is a
substantial step up. The smaller buds sit in my ears perfectly, I can almost forget about them. I haven't crossed the critical 2 hours mark in one go on the AZ100 yet, but so far, they feel more ergonomic than the AZ80. Seal is also better (I use M/L tips). When I was moving my jaw around with the AZ80 (L tips), I was able to break the seal. On the AZ100 I cannot, and they also feel more secure. Touch control feels a little quicker, ANC is a noticeable improvement versus the AZ80.
I am not experiencing any cutouts or connection issues using LDAC. Have to leave them on adaptive bitrate though (as Technics recommends) otherwise the sound stutters.
They do not get louder than the AZ80, they are pretty much the same.
Sometimes I could use one step more above max volume, and I am not a very loud listener. Probably with ANC on, the volume is still fine, I have to wait with testing this until my next flight.
The earbuds and the case both feel light. I like that the case is even smaller, but it feels plasticky and a bit cheap, will see how it holds up.
The reason I use TWS sometimes is ANC and wireless convenience. For musical enjoyment something like the Meze Alba with a Cayin RU7 will do a much better job in every aspect even compared to the AZ100, but the Alba unfortunately doesn't isolate enough on the plane and fiddling with an USB DAC + wires is also frustrating. So AZ100 it is for now. They sound decent, just a bit 'commercial' and not as balanced as similarly priced wired IEMs. For what it is though, I think the AZ100 is a decent offering and certainly an improvement over the AZ80. I would say though, unless you had comfort issues with the AZ80, don't rush with the upgrade. The AZ100 has increased clarity and balance/refinement, but the upgrade is not night and day. AZ80 perhaps sounds a little fuller with even more elevated bass, but also mushier/muddier in comparison. That said, certain people might find the warmer and more coloured sound of the AZ80 more appealing versus the slightly cleaner and slightly more neutral AZ100.
I think, the polarizing impressions regarding bass on the AZ80 and AZ100 mostly come down to having a good seal. With good seal on both of them and bass EQ-d to similar dB levels, neither comes through as particularly stronger or more impactful. AZ80 bass perhaps is a little meatier, but a tad hazier as well versus the AZ100 bass which definitely sounds clearer. If I had to criticise the AZ100's sound then I would say, sometimes it is a bit dry. Coming from much higher-end sound, I do find bass quality underwhelming on pretty much every TWS, but mids are actually quite nice and 'liquid' smooth on the AZ100 as well as the treble. Treble is never harsh, but smooth yet clear. Sound is also fairly coherent, which is a plus. All in all, I think, the AZ100 is a step to the good direction from the AZ80, but not perfect. I welcome the clarity, the fluid smoothness and the tuning intent for a better balance, but I would like to hear an even more controlled bass, even better balance and a little more 'vibrant' character at the same time.
Overall, the AZ100 is a good package, especially if you can find it with some discount. Most of all I like the
improved ANC and
improved comfort versus the AZ80. Sound-wise, I enjoy the enhanced clarity, but at the end of the day it is still 'TWS sound' in case anyone was wondering.
