Technics EAH-AZ100 - Reviews & Impressions

[Jmm722]

I'm getting mine today and I'm hoping they're a winner. I need TWS with good microphones for call quality. My Airpod Pro 2 are acceptable, but I wanted something better. I already returned the Gemini II and Pi8 due to call quality issues. If the AZ100 doesn't work, then I'm going to try the Freebuds Pro 4, which will take time because they're not sold in the US. Are there any other great mics in TWS that I'm missing?

 

[PixelSquish]

I'm getting mine today and I'm hoping they're a winner. I need TWS with good microphones for call quality. My Airpod Pro 2 are acceptable, but I wanted something better. I already returned the Gemini II and Pi8 due to call quality issues. If the AZ100 doesn't work, then I'm going to try the Freebuds Pro 4, which will take time because they're not sold in the US. Are there any other great mics in TWS that I'm missing?

Jabra elite 10. Best call quality I've experienced yet. And I'm talking about windy and loud environments, not just around the house.

 

[seekay00]

For sound quality yes, ANC on the Elevens is absolute crap compared to Bose.
ANC and sound on the Elevens are a little better than on the EX (which have the worst ANC ever) but not much.
Not worth the price imo.

I've had 4 pairs QC Ultras, they all died within 1-5 months so I'm done with Bose. The ANC is god tier though, I admit that.

I currently own the AZ80s and Beoplay EX but about to sell or gift the AZ80s as no longer use them since I got the EX recently.
I'm pretty sure the AZ100 (and also the AZ80) have stronger, more effective ANC than the EX but if we compare just the sound quality, would the AZ100 be able to show something new/more joy since I already have the EX? (The AZ80s are definitely not on the same level as the EX, hence I'm asking whether the new AZ100s would be a step up sound wise.)

 

[JackNarrow]

I'm getting mine today and I'm hoping they're a winner. I need TWS with good microphones for call quality. My Airpod Pro 2 are acceptable, but I wanted something better. I already returned the Gemini II and Pi8 due to call quality issues. If the AZ100 doesn't work, then I'm going to try the Freebuds Pro 4, which will take time because they're not sold in the US. Are there any other great mics in TWS that I'm missing?

Az100 are excellent for calls

Pro 3 and Pro 4 are great too from huawei

Jabra elite series also worth a mention.

Galaxy buds pro 3 are great but be careful with qc issues

 

[PixelSquish]

So a couple days in, the ANC is phenomenal. Best I've heard so far. Transparency mode is also quite good. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have my favorite transparency mode, but for some reason they are just special in that way, this is still great. I find the ambient mode option on the Technics to focus on voices is actually not good, but just keep it in regular transparency mode, it's high quality.

Have done some phone calls now in various places. Just walked ten minutes passing through areas with plenty of cars driving by, my caller could not hear a thing besides my voice. When I got back to the office, and my colleagues were speaking nearby me, then she asked me where I was, because she could hear their voices she said.

Form factor wise these are my favorite TWS I've used. The case is small and the right shape - you can stand it up two different ways, unlike the jabra which are rounded edges for example, or the pixel buds pro 2, which is all curves. But the size, that's what I'm looking for in a case, very svelte. The buds themselves are the perfect size and style for me. They go in easily and create a seal with no fussing around - stock M tips. Touch works well. Impressive TWS package.

 

[galaxygrrl]

They are very, very comfortable.

 

[theoolandesca]

The question is, have they fixed the issue on the AZ80s where instruments sound a little muffled specially on rock/metal? Does it have better midbass slam than the AZ80s? My main genre is metal so these are very important for me. The AZ80s were excellent if not for these pressing issues. Sometimes i feel they are too laidback/sluggish for metal.

 

[PixelSquish]

I'm having one issue with these. The first day and a half I had these, when music was playing and I simply hit my assigned tap for Ambient Mode, the music would pause and ambient mode would go on. Now the music doesn't pause. What. And I don't see a setting for that. Am I missing it? No idea why it would just change like that though.

ahh i see it. only when you have the Attention mode of ambient sound on does it auto pause. That is annoying, as the Attention mode kind of sucks lol The regular transparent mode is perfect. Just want it to auto pause. I think that was a setting on the AZ 80 on its own.

 

[galaxygrrl]

Hey all,

Amazon has a great deal on the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX . How do they compare to the AZ80's or 100's?

Thanks

 

[seekay00]

I'm having one issue with these. The first day and a half I had these, when music was playing and I simply hit my assigned tap for Ambient Mode, the music would pause and ambient mode would go on. Now the music doesn't pause. What. And I don't see a setting for that. Am I missing it? No idea why it would just change like that though.

ahh i see it. only when you have the Attention mode of ambient sound on does it auto pause. That is annoying, as the Attention mode kind of sucks lol The regular transparent mode is perfect. Just want it to auto pause. I think that was a setting on the AZ 80 on its own.

The Attention mode doesn't work well on the AZ80s. It's supposed to enhance voices while all other ambient noises should remain dead but this mode rather enhances EVERYTHING and makes the surrounding so artificial. I don't like it either, the basic transparent mode is much better but sadly it cannot be combined with automatic music pause/resume, so silly decision.
I was hoping the AZ100s behave differently in this regard.

 

[PixelSquish]

The Attention mode doesn't work well on the AZ80s. It's supposed to enhance voices while all other ambient noises should remain dead but this mode rather enhances EVERYTHING and makes the surrounding so artificial. I don't like it either, the basic transparent mode is much better but sadly it cannot be combined with automatic music pause/resume, so silly decision.
I was hoping the AZ100s behave differently in this regard.

damn. Time to start emailing Technics with that feature request. It's so damn simple too lol

 

[seekay00]

Hey all,

Amazon has a great deal on the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX . How do they compare to the AZ80's or 100's?

Thanks

Don't know the AZ100s but I have both the Beoplay EX and AZ80s and I can say the EX destroys the AZ80s sound wise. Phone calls also very good. The ANC is better on the AZ80s though.
There is nothing to lose, Amazon has a decent return policy, give it a try. You'll be in love with the B&O design, built and materials and of course their sound.

 

[helmutcheese]

I'm having one issue with these. The first day and a half I had these, when music was playing and I simply hit my assigned tap for Ambient Mode, the music would pause and ambient mode would go on. Now the music doesn't pause. What. And I don't see a setting for that. Am I missing it? No idea why it would just change like that though.

ahh i see it. only when you have the Attention mode of ambient sound on does it auto pause. That is annoying, as the Attention mode kind of sucks lol The regular transparent mode is perfect. Just want it to auto pause. I think that was a setting on the AZ 80 on its own.

It only seems to work in this Mode and the wording make it sounds as if it working as intended (ignore the very bottom part as it resumes on pressing the earbuds controls you do not need resume via the phone).

 

[theoolandesca]

The question is, have they fixed the issue on the AZ80s where instruments sound a little muffled specially on rock/metal? Does it have better midbass slam than the AZ80s? My main genre is metal so these are very important for me. The AZ80s were excellent if not for these pressing issues. Sometimes i feel they are too laidback/sluggish for metal.

Please anyone? Impressions?

 

[JML]

A very positive review by Michael Fremer: https://trackingangle.com/equipment...ng-delivers-exceptional-sound-and-feature-set