It’s one factor to create glorious wi-fi earbuds, nevertheless it’s one other after they enter the market smack in the midst of premium opponents who’re arduous to unseat. Even for those who think about the Technics EAH-AZ80 a darkish horse in that regard, expectations are naturally going to be excessive when taking up the perfect within the enterprise.These earbuds are spectacular underneath the circumstances, with sufficient meals for thought to think about them above all others. The solely query is whether or not there’s really sufficient right here to take that likelihood.Today’s finest Technics EAH-AZ80 offersTechnics EAH-AZ80: Price and availability(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)Technics launched the EAH-AZ80 in May 2023, and whereas not as extensively out there as different manufacturers is likely to be, they don’t seem to be that tough to seek out both. They come at a premium, beginning at $300, and it is arduous to say after they’ll come down in worth (although they may finally). They are available in black or silver variants.Technics EAH-AZ80: What’s good(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)The EAH-AZ80 come from a superb place, contemplating how good their predecessors — the EAH-AZ60 — had been at doing lots of issues proper. They stunned me on the time, and there have been issues about these newer buds that gave me an analogous feeling. Despite being a shave greater than the AZ60 (and regardless of a slimmer case this time), the AZ80 are simply as snug to put on, together with for lengthy stretches.Part of the reason being that they arrive with a minimum of seven pairs of ear ideas, all however making certain you’ll discover an ideal set to create a tighter seal. At no level all through my testing did I really feel these earbuds pinched or had been able to fall out. That’s nice for understanding, particularly for anybody who would favor to put on a pair of comfortable earbuds over any over-ear headphones.Technics takes the match significantly sufficient to additionally strategy it from a sonic perspective, which is why there are exams for each energetic noise cancelation (ANC) and ambient sound to customise. Had there been a sound take a look at for normal audio playback, it might’ve added to an already spectacular set of options.(Image credit score: Android Central)You may argue there aren’t as many customized settings or options that different earbuds supply in the identical worth vary, however there’s nonetheless good things to work with right here. Apart from the ANC and ambient modes, there’s additionally a 5-band EQ to tweak the sound, providing you with six presets and the chance to create your personal. Dive deeper into the remainder of the settings and see varied different selections. The EAH-AZ80 assist multipoint for simultaneous connections with two gadgets, have sensors for auto-play/pause when eradicating the buds, and have customizable contact controls and different settings. If you like to have Alexa as your voice assistant, you’ll be able to select Amazon’s voice over the one you employ in your cellphone.As for the controls, they transform fairly dependable. A single faucet on both aspect performs/pauses or solutions an incoming name. A double faucet on the proper skips a observe or mutes a cellphone name, whereas a triple faucet goes again a observe or prompts noise discount. Touch and maintain the left earbud to get up your cellphone’s voice assistant or toggle between ANC and Ambient Sound on the proper. You can even do that on both aspect to finish a name. The left earbud helps you to management quantity by double or triple tapping for each playback and calls. These are the defaults, however the app helps you to customise the way you need them to put out. (Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)Technics opted to not go together with the identical actual elements contained in the earbuds, utilizing 10mm drivers this time that stick with it from the earlier pair in each manner. Audio constancy is great, with a wonderfully balanced soundstage that appears to work effectively with each style. The wealthy sound did not personally shock me as a result of I knew to count on one thing good, however for those who’re solely new to Technics, the EAH-AZ80 will probably stun you with their readability and resonance.I simply want the model would’ve included assist for aptX codecs, leaving solely SBC, AAC, and LDAC to play with. LDAC brings in hi-res audio — very like the earlier AZ60 did — which is nice unto itself, however you even have to just accept a few trade-offs within the course of that I’ll contact on additional down. As is, LDAC playback is nice when coming from a supply that helps it. I attempted taking part in HiFi tracks from Tidal solely to obtain an incompatibility notification that left me taking part in all the things in customary definition as a substitute, whereas issues had been higher with apps like Amazon Music and Qobuz. Despite the dearth of hi-res compatibility with some apps like Spotify and Apple Music, all streaming music apps sounded nice with these earbuds.Playback can be completely superb with ANC on, the place the earbuds block out sufficient of the background to get pleasure from what you are listening to. Ambient Sound works simply as effectively in letting you hear your environment whereas playback continues. (Image credit score: Android Central)Audio readability extends to cellphone and video calls in a customized type right here. The JustMyVoice take a look at helps you higher interpret the way you sound to others, permitting you to set issues as much as scale back background noise and improve your voice’s readability. Few earbuds take voice readability this significantly, and it is good to see one thing this complete within the EAH-AZ80.With all the things these earbuds do, battery life holds up fairly effectively at as much as seven hours per cost with ANC on — about 9 hours for those who depart it off — all relying on quantity ranges. The case will provide you with an additional three fees and helps wi-fi charging if you wish to prime up that manner. In a pinch, a fast 10-minute cost through USB-C can get you as much as 70 minutes of playback.Technics EAH-AZ80: What’s not good(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)Technics put itself in a troublesome spot by being this good as a result of something that does not execute fairly in addition to similarly-priced earbuds solely stands out extra. That’s how I felt in regards to the ANC efficiency, which merely would not match what the likes of Sony and Bose have completed. Frankly, I had higher noise cancelation from the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2, a surprisingly efficient and constant pair in that regard.I’m not suggesting it is horrible, solely that it isn’t what I might count on from earbuds that value this a lot. The earlier EAH-AZ60 truly appeared to be extra sturdy that manner, reaching ever nearer to the noise-canceling massive weapons. I simply want there would’ve been a giant step ahead right here, however sadly, it simply would not come off that manner.I discussed earlier there was additionally a trade-off when utilizing the LDAC codec, and that instantly impacts multipoint connections. Basically, you need to flip multipoint off utterly to get LDAC to work correctly — an unlucky alternative when you have got higher constancy at your disposal but wish to keep linked to at the least two gadgets without delay.Technics EAH-AZ80: Competition(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)The Technics EAH-AZ80 would slot in completely effectively among the many finest wi-fi earbuds, so we’re speaking fairly elite territory right here. The Sony WF-1000XM4 have been the benchmark, particularly for ANC and audio efficiency, whereas the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are very shut in their very own proper. Technics comes ever so near matching them, however their noise-canceling falls wanting upstaging them.At the identical time, these sound higher than the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and sound about nearly as good because the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3. That rounds out a powerful group to cope with, so for those who’re contemplating any of these choices, you would possibly wanna have a look at these first.Technics EAH-AZ80: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Ted Kritsonis / Android Central)You should purchase this if…
You need glorious sound.
You need a snug match with dependable buttons.
You need good name high quality.
You need LDAC assist.
You should not purchase this if…
You need the perfect ANC for the cash.
You need aptX assist.
You choose to spend much less.
There are so many issues the Technics EAH-AZ80 do effectively that it is easy for me to advocate them as an possibility for those who’re keen to spend the cash. How do you go flawed with a cushty match, excellent audio, glorious name high quality, and respectable customization? The ANC efficiency was the most important sticking level for me. If these earbuds had been half the value, I may let it go, however at this stage, it wanted to be higher. That’s not essentially a purpose to skip these buds solely, only a issue you need to think about for those who choose them above all others.
The Technics put collectively a superb mixture of match, consolation, sound, customization, and cellphone name readability to make the EAH-AZ80 among the finest earbuds you’ll be able to put in your ears. You have to just accept a few trade-offs from the beginning, however there’s a lot to love.