Hello-fi audio is a humorous factor. Somebody might say the phrases “excessive constancy” till you’re each blue within the face, but it surely’s exhausting to grasp except you hear it for your self. I imply, how excessive is excessive, anyway? Nice audio is as excessive as your body of reference is, and if you happen to’re like most individuals and also you’re used to sticking AirPods in your ears and calling it a day, then that’s your baseline. However not everyone seems to be so simply wooed by Apple’s ecosystem, and for these baptized within the costly waters of hi-fi audio, the ceiling is rattling close to cathedral-length. With that additional headroom, nevertheless, comes a good loftier hit to your pockets. However how good can Panasonic’s $299 Technics EAH-AZ100 wi-fi earbuds that value greater than Apple’s ubiquitous white buds actually sound?
I acquired an opportunity to check out the EAH-AZ100, and on the threat of spoiling the shock right here, I can let you know that they sound fairly freaking subsequent degree. On the core of that nice sound are proprietary magnetic fluid drivers, that are as cool in idea as they’re in follow. I wouldn’t normally trouble to get into the nitty-gritty of how drivers work, however on this case I feel it’s value explaining to make you recognize these buds’ uniqueness.
Technics EAH-AZ100
The Technics EAH-AZ100 are pricey wi-fi earbuds which are value each penny.
Execs
-
Unimaginable, nuanced sound -
Nice battery life with ANC on -
Comfy -
Full-featured
Cons
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ANC is stable however not nice -
Not the sleekest-looking buds
In terms of sound high quality, mitigating distortion is the secret. Distortion occurs in quite a lot of methods, however normally distorted sound emanates from some form of deficiency within the driver. That deficiency may be the results of supplies, design, and different components, however Panasonic’s magnetic fluid drivers deal with one factor particularly, which is stability, so to talk. Whereas most wi-fi earbud drivers will vibrate in random instructions whereas pumping out sound, inflicting distortion alongside the best way, the EAH-AZ100’s drivers are immersed in an oil-like substance with magnetic particles that forestall undesirable motion and the dreaded distortion that occurs. The outcomes? I’m not going to lie, they’re spectacular.
I listened to nearly everything of one among my favourite rock albums of the previous 5 years (Geese’s “3D Nation”), and it felt like listening to a few of these songs for the primary time. Distorted guitars are completely crunchy, bass and low finish are natural-sounding and don’t really feel oversimulated, and vocals are clear, crisp, and nuanced. I switched genres and listened to hip-hop (Milo’s tune, “Tiptoe”), and the identical held true. In actual fact, throughout all of the genres I examined these wi-fi earbuds on—indie rock, people, hip-hop, and digital—they sounded nice. Despite the fact that I used to be listening to compressed audio recordsdata on Spotify, it felt like I used to be one step nearer to listening to songs like these artists supposed once they entered the studio. I additionally occurred to be testing Bose’s second-gen QuietComfort Ultra wireless earbuds on the similar time and might say confidently that the Technics EAH-AZ100 win within the readability division and by a noticeable margin.
One other main promoting level for the EAH-AZ100 could be very lengthy battery life. Panasonic advertises 10 hours of juice on these earbuds exterior the case with energetic noise cancellation (ANC) on. That’s a powerful quantity when the remainder of the sphere, especially wireless earbuds that cost half the price and usually get between 6 and 6.5 hours of ANC playback. Happily, I used to be capable of put that lofty battery declare to the take a look at since I had an extended flight from New York to Arizona (with a layover) and may also say confidently that these buds have the longevity that’s marketed.
I used the EAH-AZ100s all day on and off and didn’t should cost the wi-fi earbuds as soon as, which is a perk that may’t be overstated whenever you’re making an attempt to dam out noise from crying infants on a flight. With the case, you get 18 hours of whole battery life in line with Panasonic, and on that entrance I’ll should take their phrase since I nonetheless haven’t needed to cost these items since I began testing. Both manner, 10 hours is plenty of juice for wi-fi earbuds with ANC on and helps justify the $299 price ticket. One other huge level for Panasonic right here.

Talking of being on a flight, I additionally put the EAH-AZ100 to the take a look at with regards to ANC. With crying infants close by, I relied on the EAH-AZ100 to assist safeguard my sanity, and so they carried out… admirably. These aren’t going to win any medals from me on the ANC entrance (Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely earbuds nonetheless take the cake right here), however they held their very own with regards to noise cancellation, particularly when examined in opposition to a boss as scary because the in-flight child scream. If you happen to’re in search of ANC as elite because the sound and battery life, you might be a bit let down, although.
If you happen to’re going to be sporting wi-fi earbuds for a very long time (like 10 hours), one other factor you might need to know is how they really feel in your ears, and thankfully, they really feel fairly rattling cozy. A variety of instances, sporting wi-fi earbuds (particularly on a airplane the place stress is a giant issue) will get to me after some time, however I discovered the EAH-AZ100 to be extra tolerable than most for lengthy intervals. If you happen to don’t discover them to be a very good match, Panasonic additionally consists of 4 different eartip sizes within the field (XS, S, ML, L), however I simply used the pre-installed eartips, and so they match my ears properly.
There are some issues about these wi-fi earbuds that I gained’t be writing residence about, however that doesn’t imply they’re dangerous in any manner, simply not as wonderful because the sound or the battery life. A type of issues is the contact controls, which work simply okay. A quirk try to be conscious of is that the case doesn’t have a pairing button, so with the intention to pair the buds to a tool, you must take them out, put them in your ears, after which maintain down on the outsides of every along with your finger to provoke a Bluetooth connection. There’s nothing mistaken with that per se, however I favor a button, which is easy and common and never one thing you must determine by studying a guide on an airplane.
One other factor I’m not notably compelled by is the design. I like the graceful steel the buds and case are made out of, however the look doesn’t do a lot for me. That being mentioned, the form (bulb-like) is probably going a product of the usage of a magnetic fluid driver, which is unimaginable at conveying clear hi-fi sound, so I can’t complain an excessive amount of there. Substance over model is a selection I’m okay with. Like different wi-fi earbuds, there’s also a companion app for controlling ANC ranges, switching modes, spatial audio, and customized EQ, that are all issues I’d anticipate from a premium-priced pair of earbuds since opponents which are half the price even have these issues. The EAH-AZ100 have an ambient mode, which works superb, although Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely continues to be nicer for my part.

In the end, these are all simply icing-on-the-cake-type classes, although. If you happen to’re going to purchase wi-fi earbuds like this, it’s since you need them to sound actually, actually, actually freaking good, and to that finish, Panasonic completely nails it. These are a few of the best-sounding wi-fi earbuds I’ve ever shoved into my ears, and it’s not too usually that I really feel spoiled on that entrance, neither is it usually that I can say a pair of earbuds sounds higher than over-ear headphones of a similar price. If you happen to’re in search of a pair of wi-fi earbuds that focus exhausting on that necessary stuff (sound, battery life, and luxury) and nonetheless ship dutifully on the remaining (ANC, options, and controls), then I can say with confidence that the Technics EAH-AZ100 could possibly be the decide for you.
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