Ruined

Hi-fi audio is a funny thing. Someone could say the words “high fidelity” until you’re both blue in the face, but it’s hard to understand unless you hear it for yourself. I mean, how high is high, anyway? Great audio is as high as your frame of reference is, and if you’re like most people and you’re used to sticking AirPods in your ears and calling it a day, then that’s your baseline. But not everyone is so easily wooed by Apple’s ecosystem, and for those baptized in the expensive waters of hi-fi audio, the ceiling is damn near cathedral-length. With that extra headroom, however, comes an even loftier hit to your wallet. But how good can Panasonic’s $299 Technics EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds that cost more than Apple’s ubiquitous white buds really sound?

I got a chance to test out the EAH-AZ100, and at the risk of spoiling the surprise here, I can tell you that they sound pretty freaking next level. At the core of that great sound are proprietary magnetic fluid drivers, which are as cool in theory as they are in practice. I wouldn’t usually bother to get into the nitty-gritty of how drivers work, but in this case I think it’s worth explaining to make you appreciate these buds’ uniqueness.

Technics EAH-AZ100

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are costly wireless earbuds that are worth every penny.

Pros

• Incredible, nuanced sound

• Great battery life with ANC on

• Comfortable

• Full-featured

Cons

• ANC is solid but not great

• Not the sleekest-looking buds

When it comes to sound quality, mitigating distortion is the name of the game. Distortion happens in a number of ways, but usually distorted sound emanates from some kind of deficiency in the driver. That deficiency can be the result of materials, design, and other factors, but Panasonic’s magnetic fluid drivers focus on one thing in particular, which is stability, so to speak. While most wireless earbud drivers will vibrate in random directions while pumping out sound, causing distortion along the way, the EAH-AZ100’s drivers are immersed in an oil-like substance with magnetic particles that prevent unwanted movement and the dreaded distortion that happens. The results? I’m not going to lie, they’re impressive.

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I listened to almost the entirety of one of my favorite rock albums of the past five years (Geese’s “3D Country”), and it felt like hearing some of those songs for the first time. Distorted guitars are perfectly crunchy, bass and low end are natural-sounding and don’t feel oversimulated, and vocals are clear, crisp, and nuanced. I switched genres and listened to hip-hop (Milo’s song, “Tiptoe”), and the same held true. In fact, across all the genres I tested these wireless earbuds on—indie rock, folk, hip-hop, and electronic—they sounded great. Even though I was listening to compressed audio files on Spotify, it felt like I was one step closer to hearing songs like those artists intended when they entered the studio. I also happened to be testing Bose’s second-gen QuietComfort Ultra wireless earbuds at the same time and can say confidently that the Technics EAH-AZ100 win in the clarity department and by a noticeable margin.

See EAH-AZ100 at Amazon

Another major selling point for the EAH-AZ100 is very long battery life. Panasonic advertises 10 hours of juice on these earbuds outside the case with active noise cancellation (ANC) on. That’s an impressive number when looking at the rest of the field, especially wireless earbuds that cost half the price and typically get between 6 and 6.5 hours of ANC playback. Fortunately, I was able to put that lofty battery claim to the test since I had a long flight from New York to Arizona (with a layover) and can also say confidently that these buds have the longevity that’s advertised.

I used the EAH-AZ100s all day on and off and didn’t have to charge the wireless earbuds once, which is a perk that can’t be overstated when you’re trying to block out noise from crying babies on a flight. With the case, you get 18 hours of total battery life according to Panasonic, and on that front I’ll have to take their word since I still haven’t had to charge these things since I started testing. Either way, 10 hours is a lot of juice for wireless earbuds with ANC on and helps justify the $299 price tag. Another big point for Panasonic here.

© Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo

Speaking of being on a flight, I also put the EAH-AZ100 to the test when it comes to ANC. With crying babies nearby, I relied on the EAH-AZ100 to help safeguard my sanity, and they performed… admirably. These aren’t going to win any medals from me on the ANC front (Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra earbuds still take the cake here), but they held their own when it comes to noise cancellation, especially when tested against a boss as scary as the in-flight baby scream. If you’re looking for ANC as elite as the sound and battery life, you may be a little let down, though.

If you’re going to be wearing wireless earbuds for a long time (like 10 hours), another thing you may want to know is how they feel in your ears, and fortunately, they feel pretty damn comfy. A lot of times, wearing wireless earbuds (especially on a plane where pressure is a big factor) will get to me after a while, but I found the EAH-AZ100 to be more tolerable than most for long periods. If you don’t find them to be a good fit, Panasonic also includes four other eartip sizes in the box (XS, S, ML, L), but I just used the pre-installed eartips, and they fit my ears well.

There are some things about these wireless earbuds that I won’t be writing home about, but that doesn’t mean they’re bad in any way, just not as excellent as the sound or the battery life. One of those things is the touch controls, which work just okay. A quirk you should be aware of is that the case does not have a pairing button, so in order to pair the buds to a device, you have to take them out, put them in your ears, and then hold down on the outsides of each with your finger to initiate a Bluetooth connection. There’s nothing wrong with that per se, but I prefer a button, which is simple and universal and not something you have to figure out by reading a manual on an airplane.

Another thing I’m not particularly compelled by is the design. I like the smooth metal the buds and case are made out of, but the look doesn’t do much for me. That being said, the shape (bulb-like) is likely a product of the use of a magnetic fluid driver, which is incredible at conveying clear hi-fi sound, so I can’t complain too much there. Substance over style is a choice I’m okay with. Like other wireless earbuds, there’s also a companion app for controlling ANC levels, switching modes, spatial audio, and custom EQ, which are all things I would expect from a premium-priced pair of earbuds since competitors that are half the cost also have those things. The EAH-AZ100 have an ambient mode, which works fine, though Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra is still nicer in my opinion.

© Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo

Ultimately, those are all just icing-on-the-cake-type categories, though. If you’re going to buy wireless earbuds like this, it’s because you want them to sound really, really, really freaking good, and to that end, Panasonic absolutely nails it. These are some of the best-sounding wireless earbuds I’ve ever shoved into my ears, and it’s not too often that I feel spoiled on that front, nor is it often that I can say a pair of earbuds sounds better than over-ear headphones of a similar price. If you’re looking for a pair of wireless earbuds that focus hard on that important stuff (sound, battery life, and comfort) and still deliver dutifully on the rest (ANC, features, and controls), then I can say with confidence that the Technics EAH-AZ100 could be the pick for you.

See EAH-AZ100 at Amazon

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