First I want to state that I recently had my hearing checked and besides a tiny dip in the 1k on my left ear my hearing is perfect.
I like the smaller size the better ANC the smaller case fits in my pocket much better than the AZ80 case.
I've figured out why I don't like these Technics AZ100 headphones. They've specifically engineered the drivers with ferrofluid surrounding the edges to eliminate harmonics, which they claim interfere with the sound. This results in an incredibly smooth sound signature, devoid of any imperfections.
However, I prefer the imperfections that give music its character and realism. This overly smooth sound feels artificial, not in an electronic way, but in an analog sense. It lacks the subtle nuances and "grit" that I find engaging.
Music, by its very nature, is imperfect. People and instruments have unique characteristics that contribute to the overall sound. The AZ100s artificially smooth out these nuances, making the music sound sterile and lifeless.
When I listen to my go-to music (Disturbs the Sound of Silence, Blitzen Trappers Furr, Blue October X amount of words, Neil Young Live at Massey Hall, BT, VNV Nation), I'm not drawn into the music; instead, I'm hyper-aware of what's missing. The soul of the music seems to be gone.
While the AZ100s undoubtedly deliver a technically perfect sound, they've sacrificed the artistic expression of the music. I hope other audiophiles share my sentiment, and Technics considers removing the ferrofluid in future iterations.
Personally, I'll be purchasing a few spare pairs of the AZ80s and returning these. They have many excellent features, but the sound quality simply doesn't suit my preferences.
