Technics EAH-AZ100-S

The Technics EAH-AZ100 put out some of the best sound we've heard in a true wireless bud, with ANC and call quality that are nearly peerless. Fit can be fussy and the case magnets are weak, but if pristine audio is your priority, these are worth every penny. Just make sure you snag them for under $250.

The sound is the star here, and it's not even close. We're talking a 10mm driver with a magnetic fluid diaphragm that keeps distortion in check all the way from a rumbling 20Hz to a crystalline 40kHz, and our measurements put it among the absolute best true wireless we've tested. Noise cancelling? Near the top of the charts, swallowing office hum and plane drone with ease. Call quality is shockingly good, thanks to six mics and some clever AI noise reduction, it sounds like you're not even on earbuds. Battery is solid at 10 hours per bud, but the charging case only adds 18 more, so all-day travelers might pack a cable. Fit and IPX4 rating make them okay for light sweat, but if you're a gym rat, these score noticeably lower in fitness and might not stay put.

Stacked against the Sony WF-1000XM6, the Technics pull ahead on raw sound detail and call quality, but Sony still edges out on noise cancelling in ultra-loud spots. The Apple AirPods Pro fight back with a comfier, more universal fit and seamless iOS integration, but can't touch the AZ100's depth and clarity. Then there's the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, which are warmer and more relaxed, but if you want to hear every texture in a track, the Technics are the ones that deliver. The Soundcore P31i and EarFun Air Pro 4+ have muscled into the top 5 lately, and while they're both solid budget picks, neither comes close to the AZ100's resolution or call quality. It's a crowded field, but for sound purists, the AZ100s carve out their own top tier.

The price on these varies wildly depending on where you shop, from a very tempting $248 to an absurd $4,425. If you're seeing the latter, run. At the lower end, you're paying a premium over the Sony XM5 or Sennheiser MTW4, but you're getting a uniquely detailed, dynamic sound that those can't match. For audiophiles who've been waiting for wireless to finally sound like wired, it's worth the entry fee. Everyone else, though, might feel the pinch.

Look, Technics finally put those magnetic fluid drivers from their wired monsters into a true wireless bud, and it's a big deal. The EAH-AZ100s are basically a love letter to anyone who won't compromise on sound, packing LDAC, adaptive ANC, and Dolby Atmos head tracking into a compact, 6g package. These are built for audiophiles who want reference-class tuning without the cable.

Skip these if you're a gym regular or a runner. The fit isn't secure enough for heavy movement, and an IPX4 rating isn't built for torrential sweat. If you need a gym-ready pair, check out the Jabra Evolve2 Buds or a dedicated sports model instead. Also, if you're on a tight budget, the price here is steep for what you get, especially when the Sennheiser MTW4 can be found cheaper.

If you live for sound quality and take a lot of calls, these are your earbuds. The music performance alone justifies the investment, and the ANC plus call chops make them a killer daily driver. They're not for sweaty workouts or for someone who loses earbuds constantly, but for the person who has a playlist they test new headphones with, the AZ100s are a revelation. And at the new lower price, they're an even easier sell.