Higher sound quality and unique Bluetooth tool

I was not impressed by the last pair of Technics headphones that I examined. A AZ70W Whether was the first set to wore the logo of the light brand of the player after Panasonic restarted it in 2014. The 2020 model made some things well for $ 250, but the contradictory audio production did not allow them to be Serious rivalThe company followed in 2021 with Two more options for a wireless headphoneand 2023 AZ80 He was respected by many reviewers for sound quality.

For its 2025 model, Technics I dug up tricks in my bag To improve the already mighty AZ80, which led to AZ100 ($ 300)These flagship headphones offer completely new drivers, adaptive active noise reduction (ANC), AI-Teven Voice Tools, Dolby Atmos Spatial Sound and one neat tool that none of the competitors does. And, fortunately, AZ100 fulfills the promise of “epic, high -quality quality audio with high resolution.”

Sound quality

I know very well that I have missed several generations of Technics headphones since AZ70W, but it also means that I have a much clearer picture of how much the company has improved from the very beginning. AZ100 is a sound miracle compared to this first model, offering some of the best high -quality sounds in any of hundreds of headphones that I have tested over the years.

The technology underlying Audio Boost is new magnetic fluid drivers. Technics says they offer “low distortion, accurate bass and high resolution.” These parts were developed with the company's know-how from its $ 12,200 Eah-TZ700 monitors (IEMS), which are also packaged in 10 -mm magnetic fluid drivers. The liquid is integrated into the driver's voice coil to ensure the exact movement of the diaphragm, which leads to minimal distortions and excellent clarity throughout the scene.

Technics also took care of increasing bass performance on AZ100. These drivers help in this, but the headphones also have a new acoustic control chamber and a harmonizer to expand low -level possibilities. It will also not hurt what AZ100 supports both the Dolby Atmos for a spatial audio and the Sony LDAC of a high-resolution wireless audio codec. While the first is widespread in flagship sets, the latter is rarely found outside the Sony headphones and headphones.

AZ100 at best with high resolution melodies, such as the Apple Music Dolby Atmos catalog. With alt-rock ls dunes' Violet, The headphones deliver a large, sharp bass that remains dense and detailed. For example, Kick Drum has a thunder cadence and serves as the main canvas for the improvement technique made on the AZ100 audio platform. Even older albums of the early Aughts, such as Applesed Capt's Sea Ovaslet of you with drums, dueling guitars and an atmosphere of a living performance, and not a recorded album. This is impressive when you think this is broadcast without loss on Apple Music, not Dolby Atmos.

Speaking of a spatial audio, this is the only area where AZ100 came across in terms of sound quality. This immersion regime is available with or without dynamic detergence of Dolby’s head, and when it switches, the sound becomes too thin in my opinion. The energy that the improved bass brings to the Stock settings disappeared, leaving a more sterile audio profile, which is a little boring.

ANC performance

Despite the use of Technics, its “most advanced” noise reduction technology, AZ100 lags behind the best in this regard. These headphones use adaptive ANC, which automatically adapts to your environment, but it is not as good as what BOSE offers Quietcomfort Ultra headphonesThe AZ100 field will serve you well in some situations, but, like most competitors, they cannot cope with the talkative neighbors in the office and do not shut up constant noise sources, such as fans and white noise machines.

Appendix and functions

Currently, each headphone offers a company application, although their usefulness can vary greatly. Technics packed a lot in its software, and most of what you often need, right on the main screen. After the AZ100 is paired with your phone, the application shows the time of autonomous work for headphones individually, and the case is upstairs. Then you get a guide to use, control of noise reduction, control of equalizers, and AI test with a voice focus. Below, there is quick access to the surrounding sound, equalizer and a more detailed “Settings” menu.

This “settings” menu is where everything begins to confuse. Simply put, there are so many options that all this can be stunning. And in some cases, the elements that should be higher are closer to the bottom – for example, setting control controls. A spatial sound can be activated only from this menu that I would say, should be an object on the main screen. There are many to help you set up AZ100 to your taste, but it will take some time to find everything you need.

One unique function that Technics offers is a multi -valued Bluetooth connection for three devices. I have not experienced this on any other headphones, but this function is not without warning. Firstly, the LDAC sound cannot be used when connecting three devices, most likely from the Bluetooth restrictions. In fact, Technics recommends disable the multi -point point if you want to listen to LDAC quality melodies. Using the application, the company allows you to choose whether the Multioptopt Switch Devices will be during media playback or when a call. I mainly used Multiopt only with my phone and laptop, but if the tablet is also part of your daily workflow or you have a special working phone, I see a triple threat utility.

Call quality

The AI ​​Voice Focus test is a tool that allows you to hear how you will sound on the challenges using AZ100. This is a good feature, so you can determine whether the headphones are good enough for important calls or virtual presentations. And for this, AZ100 sounds clear and somewhat natural when you are in a quiet place. When you go to a more loud place, and AI Voice Focus Focus, you will sound more robotic and processed. People on the other hand will hear you, and not one of the background noise, but the quality of the voice suffers noticeably.

There are two environmental options – transparent and attention – but none of them helps with voice and video calls. AZ100 does not prescribe your voice back through the headphones, so you need to speak to hear yourself. In environmental mode, transparent allows all sound through headphones without changes, while attention is more focused on the voices. I actually found transparent to be the best of them in all cases, even when I tried to listen to, as someone says.

Battery service life

Technics promises up to 10 hours of autonomous work with the ANC, as well as another 18 hours when you take into account the case of wireless charging. If you choose an audio LDAC, these numbers fell to seven hours and 11 hours, respectively. After 10 hours of use, when the noise reduction is turned on, the AZ100 still has a 20 percent battery. Based on the exhaust speed that I experienced, this will be enough for two more hours. And when you find yourself in extreme cases, a 15-minute charging drops you up to 90 minutes of use.

Design updates

You must get quite far down on the AZ100 specification to discuss design updates. This is because sound and technological updates are a real story here. But Technics really made some changes to the appearance of these headphones compared to AZ80, including reduction of size and weight. The company claims that the revised form allows the AZ100 with the IPX4 rating better to hug your crooked ears to increase comfort and stability. This is true, since the headphones always remained in place, and I never felt any irritation, even after several hours of use.

The touch panel of the headphones, so the cover of the case is decorated with a significant Technics logo in gold in textured metal (both on both black and silver -colored options). This definitely gives the whole set of premium, although I am sure that not everyone will be delighted with gold. None of the changes in design is a huge departure from the predecessor AZ100, but thoughtful improvements, especially in form and fit, are noteworthy.

Contest

Before the arrival of the AZ100 Bowers & Wilkins stood at the top of Engadget's The best list of wireless headphones In the best sound category for a long time. Recently the company was sent in second place in the hands of an incredible, but expensive Focus rex5 From a noble audio. Neither Bauers and Wilkins, nor equipment can compete with the setting of five drivers that NOBLE offers, but both companies offer excellent sound quality for less than the price of $ 449 on Fokus Rex5.

Since the competition is already in second place, I give the advantage AZ100. There is something to love Bowers & Wilkins' Pi8And if you prefer a more natural sound with a lower low tone, they will probably choose you. For me, I like the added bass, which is provided by the new Technics drivers, and there is a longer list of functions for AZ100. From the point of view of ANC performance, I also bow to the equipment, plus AZ100 by $ 100 less than the PI8.

Wrap

It is difficult to follow a highly respected product with another wonderful. Perhaps that is why many audio companies rarely make huge changes to headphones and headphones for new models, instead preferring to maintain sound quality and ANC performance. “If this is not broken …” And all this.

Technics thought that this could do its well -reviewed AZ80 even better, borrowing technologies from another entry in its portfolio, and the gambling game finally paid off. Of course, you can find the best characteristics of noise reduction with BOSE and more modern functions with Sony, but Technics formulated the excellent sound quality that few can challenge. I would say that Award for the best of Ces He was deserved.