Technics EAH-AZ100 - Reviews & Impressions

[soundblast75]

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Don't bother with the EX, they are now outdated technology wise, sound is good but nothing better than az100 for sure

 

[seekay00]

Don't bother with the EX, they are now outdated technology wise, sound is good but nothing better than az100 for sure

I'm quite happy with my outdated product which was purchased in sale last month.
Also have the AZ80s but haven't touched them since got the EX.

 

[Blueshound24]

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

The EX had way too shallow of fit for me, could never get a consistent seal. The AZ80's or 100 is better at everything for me.

 

[raymanz]

Just received my AZ100 this week, and my first impression is... interesting?

I've been using the AZ60m2 for a year now and have always loved them, though I've never had a chance to try the AZ80.

Compared to the AZ60m2, the AZ100 sounds notably bright. Perhaps a tad too bright, especially since I'm sensitive to sibilant sounds, which are quite pronounced with the AZ100.

Nevertheless, the AZ100 delivers detailed sound that I appreciate, but it hasn't given me the same "awe" factor I felt when I first experienced the AZ60m2.

I'm also puzzled by the fit. All reviews I read (yes, I read all of them) rave about the AZ100's comfort compared to previous versions, yet I can't seem to insert them into my ear canal properly. Even with the smallest ear tips and after attempting to twist the headset for a more secure fit, they feel like they're hanging and pushing from the outside. This is starkly different from my AZ60m2, which fits more like an IEM (I love IEMs like the ER4).

Is anyone else having the same issue? Any third-party ear tips you would recommend for a better seal?

 

[galaxygrrl]

Don't bother with the EX, they are now outdated technology wise, sound is good but nothing better than az100 for sure

Well, as luck would have it, Capital One Shopping gave me 28% back at Neimans today. You can't get cash, but you can get an ebay gift card and a whole bunch of others including Home Depot and Uber Eats

So I can get the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Elevens for $350 (though I pay tax on $500). If you put the Capital One browser extension on your browser, you will be asked by Cap One if you want them to check for coupons. I got the 28% off this way, also, I got an email with the offer. I assume if you don't get it, just go to Neimans and click around with the browser on and they will send it to you I assume.

Just received my AZ100 this week, and my first impression is... interesting?

I've been using the AZ60m2 for a year now and have always loved them, though I've never had a chance to try the AZ80.

Compared to the AZ60m2, the AZ100 sounds notably bright. Perhaps a tad too bright, especially since I'm sensitive to sibilant sounds, which are quite pronounced with the AZ100.

Nevertheless, the AZ100 delivers detailed sound that I appreciate, but it hasn't given me the same "awe" factor I felt when I first experienced the AZ60m2.

I'm also puzzled by the fit. All reviews I read (yes, I read all of them) rave about the AZ100's comfort compared to previous versions, yet I can't seem to insert them into my ear canal properly. Even with the smallest ear tips and after attempting to twist the headset for a more secure fit, they feel like they're hanging and pushing from the outside. This is starkly different from my AZ60m2, which fits more like an IEM (I love IEMs like the ER4).

Is anyone else having the same issue? Any third-party ear tips you would recommend for a better seal?

Yes! I love these and use them https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CW17K593/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 I used them on both the AZ 80s and 100's

(Actually, these eartips seem not to let the earbuds charge. So, let the buyer beware. I will fool around with them tonight to see if I can solve the problem)

 

[boodi]

Please anyone? Impressions?

beoplay ex are way more clear then az80, soundwise much better for your genres..i didn't like them enoigh though as they were a bit flat in stage and details

( az100 coming later next week )

 

[seekay00]

Well, as luck would have it, Capital One Shopping gave me 28% back at Neimans today. You can't get cash, but you can get an ebay gift card and a whole bunch of others.

So I can get the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Elevens for $350 (though I pay tax on $500). If you put the Capital One browser extension on your browser, you will be asked by Cap One if you want them to check for coupons. I got the 28% off this way, also, I got an email with the offer. I assume if you don't get it, just go to Neimans and click around with the browser on and they will send it to you I assume.

Yes! I love these and use them https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CW17K593/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 I used them on both the AZ 80s and 100's

You can always return them if you don't like it but I bet you'll. The EX and Elevens are great. And their sound is something really special.

 

[galaxygrrl]

You can always return them if you don't like it but I bet you'll. The EX and Elevens are great. And their sound is something really special.

I read a bunch on both; people say that the Elevens sound great, though not much better than the EX, but they have much better ANC. I ordered them and canceled the EX. I'll be interested in comparing sounds for both. Alas both my Pi8's and AZ 80s for in for warranty repair (Pi8 were terrible out of the box), so I tend to keep two. I will see which two I like the best and sell or return the other one.

 

[matajuro]

Just received my AZ100 this week, and my first impression is... interesting?

I've been using the AZ60m2 for a year now and have always loved them, though I've never had a chance to try the AZ80.

Compared to the AZ60m2, the AZ100 sounds notably bright. Perhaps a tad too bright, especially since I'm sensitive to sibilant sounds, which are quite pronounced with the AZ100.

Nevertheless, the AZ100 delivers detailed sound that I appreciate, but it hasn't given me the same "awe" factor I felt when I first experienced the AZ60m2.

I'm also puzzled by the fit. All reviews I read (yes, I read all of them) rave about the AZ100's comfort compared to previous versions, yet I can't seem to insert them into my ear canal properly. Even with the smallest ear tips and after attempting to twist the headset for a more secure fit, they feel like they're hanging and pushing from the outside. This is starkly different from my AZ60m2, which fits more like an IEM (I love IEMs like the ER4).

Is anyone else having the same issue? Any third-party ear tips you would recommend for a better seal?

Scroll back I posted a link for some foam tips. The AZ80 are way bigger than the 60. I've tried all three current models. The now discontinued 60 has a 8mm driver and the 80 and 100 it's a 10mm driver hence the bigger fit. But the 100 is indeed noticeably smaller than the 80 so it fits better for most people.

 

[galaxygrrl]

I love the ZLA SednaEarfit XELASTEC; I used them with my AZ 100's. The earbuds don't charge in the case with them, so be careful with aftermarket tips

 

[systemsam]

A couple of comments on ANC and ambient:

ANC (and ambient) noise floor/hiss is noticeable but quite quiet and I find it unobjectionable. I find some others unbearable. PI7 hiss is quieter (but ANC is worse).

ANC, including adaptive, is really quite good. At some frequencies it's uncanny. However it does let through higher frequencies more than I'd like. And the contrast with the silent mids is slightly weird. To be fair, ANC usually does nothing to high frequencies, it's down to passive isolation, so alternative tips might help there. Slightly reluctant to move away from the tips designed for them just yet though, as aware changing for better passive isolation may not be so good for sound quality.

It's the first pair I've had where ambient/pass-through is worth using. It's actually so far been really helpful for me as I struggle with loud environments, and was able to sit in a noisy coffee shop with my partner, switching to it in one touch (long hold right), and dialing the ambient down to 25% which meant I could still hear them, and have a conversation but the noise was much more manageable. Adjusting the level does need the app.

I don't think this complete a package exists for over-ears yet. Apart from all the other bells and whistles you have to choose between high-end sound or high-end noise cancelling. Nothing has both. Let's see what else 2025 brings I guess.

 

[krenzler]

Compared to the AZ60m2, the AZ100 sounds notably bright. Perhaps a tad too bright, especially since I'm sensitive to sibilant sounds, which are quite pronounced with the AZ100.

Nevertheless, the AZ100 delivers detailed sound that I appreciate, but it hasn't given me the same "awe" factor I felt when I first experienced the AZ60m2.

I'm also puzzled by the fit. All reviews I read (yes, I read all of them) rave about the AZ100's comfort compared to previous versions, yet I can't seem to insert them into my ear canal properly. Even with the smallest ear tips and after attempting to twist the headset for a more secure fit, they feel like they're hanging and pushing from the outside. This is starkly different from my AZ60m2, which fits more like an IEM (I love IEMs like the ER4).

Is anyone else having the same issue? Any third-party ear tips you would recommend for a better seal?

They will sound brighter than intended without a proper seal due to bass leakage. Less bass shifts more attention to the treble. I know I'm stating the obvious but just to emphasize you can't judge the tonal balance yet.

 

[ddlo]

very strange technics would only offer az100 in domestic market on 23/1 and even demo units were only made available from 16/1 when the product was actually shipping in many other countries including my city. even i just got back from tokyo this monday, still couldn't take the chance to demo/purchase in japan which would be over 10% cheaper than my local price.

with the very positive review for az80 and the initial reviews of az100 seem very positive too, i ordered mine yesterday pm and very swiftly, in less than 24hrs, i got my pairs in beautiful silver colorway.

i didn't see any google fast pairing prompting but has no problem in getting it connected right out the box (which very strangely both the case and buds were 100% charged!) it's only connected in aac though. LDAC could only be enabled inside the technics app. and i was prompted to update firmware right away. just took a few mins and the update was quite smooth and uneventful. ferrofluid tweeters were quite popular when i was young. but now seems only technics advertising they're using this tech.

not yet went outside to test the anc. but the LDAC connection is rock solid and definitely more stable than xm5 (poor sony can't even compete with others on the codec they developed). the sound is nice and enjoyable but i found hsx1001 is more resolving. bass impact is adequate but not bass heavy type in many tws. of course the price is higher too (and without many features of the az100). both the earbuds and case are remarkably small and just a tad bigger than xm5. the earbuds fit in my ear securely and comfortably without any issue.

 

[TooFrank]

So if SQ is the most important - who wins: Beoplay EX/11 or AZ100? (Have the EX and I am on the fence wrt. AZ100)

 

[March78]

I read a bunch on both; people say that the Elevens sound great, though not much better than the EX, but they have much better ANC. I ordered them and canceled the EX. I'll be interested in comparing sounds for both. Alas both my Pi8's and AZ 80s for in for warranty repair (Pi8 were terrible out of the box), so I tend to keep two. I will see which two I like the best and sell or return the other one.

I wouldn’t call ANC on the Eleven much better than on EX, it’s definitely better but still very average compared to the top tiers.
Audio on the Eleven is a little better, a bit more bass than the EX which is nice.
But the Elevens are not worth their price imo compared to the EX (I have the Elevens myself, had the EX before).