AirPods Pro has won a new rival as the iconic audio brand unveiled its noise-cancelling earbuds

AirPods Pro has won a new rival as the iconic audio brand unveiled its noise-cancelling earbuds

Technics has always produced high-quality headphones. While the iconic brand is not currently listed in our Best Wireless Earphones guide, the audiophile-focused manufacturer is on our Best Noise-Canceling Earphones and Best Audiophile Headphones lists.

Now, the 55-year-old brand is introducing two new products: the Technics EAH-AZ80 and the Technics EAH-AZ60M2. These premium noise-canceling true wireless earbuds further improve on Technics' already excellent noise-canceling performance, but currently occupy the top three best noise-canceling earbuds we have tested, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, 1MORE PistonBuds Pro, and Sony WF-1000XM4 (earbuds we personally use every day), it remains to be seen if they can compete.

Both of these earbuds are loaded with features. Both support the Bluetooth LDAC codec for premium sound. They also include an improved version of the Technics JustMyVoice voice detection software, which is expected to improve on the weak points of previous Technics earphones.

The EAH-AZ80 and EAH-AZ60M2 also function when used with only one earphone, which I personally cannot live without. In addition, the Bluetooth multipoint connection allows for easy switching between the three devices.

To summarize the common features, both sets of wireless earbuds support Qi wireless charging and are IPX4 waterproof, so they can handle splashes of water. Both also support Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice assistants. Battery life is 7.5 hours of music playback with ANC off, 7 hours with ANC on, and 4 hours of talk time with both active noise cancellation and JustMyVoice on, respectively. The included charging cradle adds up to 25 hours of total battery life with ANC turned off.

The Technics EAH-AZ80 is the all-new flagship of the Technics wireless earphone lineup. It features a new 10mm driver and offers improved sound quality over the rest of the Technics lineup.

Aside from the increased ability to physically push out sound waves, another major upgrade to the EAH-AZ80 is improved comfort. The noise-canceling earphones come with seven sizes of Concha Fit Foam earpieces, ranging from XS2 to XL. This should provide a slight advantage over the EAH-AZ60M2, which does not have the Concha Fit Foam treatment on the earpieces, in terms of all-day wear.

The Technics EAH-AZ80 is available from the Technics online store for $299/£259/$499 Australian.

The Technics EAH-AZ60M2 is the second generation of Technics EAH-AZ60, Technics' former flagship noise-canceling true wireless earphones. And thankfully, this second generation actually improves on the problems of the first generation.

In our review of the EAH-AZ60, we blamed the mediocre quality of the ANC earphones and the lack of wireless charging. Technics has theoretically addressed both issues by improving JustMyVoice and adding Qi wireless charging support. This should make the EAH-AZ60M2 a serious contender for the best wireless earbuds.

In fact, it is nearly identical to the flagship EAH-AZ80, with an 8mm driver in place of the EAH-AZ80's 10mm driver and slightly less premium earpieces. Other than that, the features are the same, so you can't go wrong with either pair.

The Technics EAH-AZ60M2 is available from the Technics online store for $249 / £199 / $399 Australian.

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