So the AirPods Pro 3 are here. But while I await my pair to arrive in the post so that I can do more than a shallow dive based on short first impressions, there's another pair that's landed on my desk that makes me wonder how much better the Apple buds can really be.
It's these — the Technics AZ100. They're the latest buds from Japan's Technics, and they bring with them some of the best sound you'll ever hear. Are they perfect? No, and they do lack the extra snazzy features that Apple has stuffed into the AirPods. But if you've got $300 to spend and you want the best sound around? I might have just found the best wireless earbuds for you. Let me tell you why.
Look at that premium build
There are some buds at the $299 price point that don't feel like you've spent all that much money. I'm looking at you, Sony and Bose, with your plasticy cases and cheap-looking printed logos. The AirPods, despite being $50 cheaper, generally feel a whole lot better built than the competition, thanks to the metal hinge and solid feeling glossy white plastic.
Then the AZ100 swoops in to show everyone how it's done. Their hinge is smooth, metallic, and instantly satisfying. The embossed logo lends a touch of class. The case is dense and feels top-quality. The buds inside are well-formed and feel like they could be run over by my car and survive with minimal damage.
I'm not going to test it — it's a heavy car — but they feel like they're made in the same factory as a Sherman tank. That matters more than you think when you're spending as much as you do here for buds, and it goes a long way in making them feel like you're getting your money's worth.
Battery life for days
The AirPods Pro 3 have stepped up their battery life over the AirPods Pro 2. As a result, their 8-hour staying power with ANC on is now considered "quite good." The AZ100, on the other hand, are a bit more than "quite good" — they're downright excellent.
With ANC turned on, you'll get 12 hours of battery life out of Technics buds. That's some impressive charge, and it makes them the longest-lasting earbuds at their price. Turn ANC off for some extra battery as well — and pop them in the case when they run out to extend the battery life to 30 hours.
Obviously, that battery life does drop when using one of my favorite features of the buds, the LDAC codec. I'd say the drop in battery life of about 2 hours is worth it, given how good the battery life is already, but your mileage may vary.
A devisive fit
I'm a bit strange. I like my earbuds to feel like they're burying into my ears, digging for my brain. I want them really in there so that they're pointing their drivers directly at my eardrums. So that the fit is secure, and they won't fall out, no matter how much I throw my head backwards and forwards when I'm listening to Crowbar.
The AZ100 go all the way in. They're about as invasive as earbuds get, really getting deep into your ear canal. I like it — but I can completely understand why others do not. It's a lot to handle when you just want to listen to music, and it would make sense that it would put some people off.
The fit does have its benefits over the lighter and less "all-in" fits of buds like the AirPods Pro 2. A better seal for ANC and sound is one, and an increased bass response. Not that these things really need any more bass response — as we'll find out imminently, I had to EQ some of the bass out for them to sound their absolute best.
Endlessly customizable sound
Out of the box, the AZ100 sound good. They're quite bassy, however. There's some serious low-end here, and I found very quickly that it could be considered "too much." To be clear, most people are going to slip them in their ears, press play on Taylor Swift's latest, and say "wow, those sound really good!" when her latest tripe slides into their earholes.
But they can sound better. With some work in the EQ, I was able to dial in some more high-frequency response and ease back some of the slightly boomy bass. The result is more restrained and controlled, and dare I say, pretty excellent.
Cymbals in drum parts are more articulate, and the bass feels more musical. The mids sound amazing, with loads of width and dimension for guitars and vocals. I whipped up a listen of CKY by CKY, and found some lovely edge to distorted guitars and excellent weight for kick drums and bass guitars.
Soundstage is very good, and makes the music feel nice and wide. They're a lovely sonic experience, and I'd wager they're the best-sounding buds before you start spending even more money.
I left the Dolby Atmos setting wedged firmly in the off position, as I'd recommend most people do. It works fine with music made for the format, but otherwise doesn't do enough to warrant its use.
To get my audio settings, you'll want to dabble with the Technics app. In the custom EQ, you'll want to dial down the BASS and 250kHz to about -2 or -3, and then crank the 2.5K and 4K sliders up to about +3. That'll give you more of the high-end that we're looking for, while removing some of the 'boom.'
With all that done? Sublime sound, no notes.
Slight hiccups
There's always got to be some negatives, right? There are some. The first is the divisive fit, which some listeners might not appreciate compared to the less invasive Bose, Sony, and Apple alternatives.
The app is janky. I've not had the unreliability problems that some have reported, or the slight audio delay, but it's not the best looking or easiest to navigate around. It works — but it's not fun to use. Annoying, given you'll want to dip in for the EQ.
The ANC isn't quite as good as some of the other options either. It's fine, and it will go some way in silencing your environment, but it's not as good as the ANC from Sony or Bose.
Still, I think the AZ100 are a worthy alternative to the established players, bringing excellent sound and epic build to the table. Just, like, don't be surprised if it feels like your head is being probed.
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