Technics AZ100 Earbuds Review With Photos

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Somewhere between the Apple AirPods and those little headphones they pass out on the airplane, I decided earbuds weren’t for me. The anatomy of my inner ear canals are simply too small an aperture, I concluded, to be suitable for everyday wear. After trying one too many uncomfortable — nay, painful — pairs, I made like quality control at a manufacturer and rendered myself unfit for consumption.

There were upsides to this revelation. No spending of hundreds of dollars on the latest Apple drop, or waiting for year-end sales to finally splurge on wireless headphones. Instead, and much to the dismay of anyone standing within 10 feet of me, I resorted to listening to my Spotify playlists on speaker mode, at full blast, during walks, phone calls, or cooking sessions (that, or not at all).

Then I was introduced to the Technics AZ100 Earbuds ($300), a wireless set that promised superior noise-canceling and sound in a miniature size safe for smaller ears. I was intrigued. Just as a parent to a newborn might, I craved noise-canceling anything that would flush out the sounds of a baby crying on a flight or sirens screaming from the windows of my apartment when working. And while I didn’t totally mind my obnoxious speaker-phone solution, I am burdened by enough self-awareness to know it’s not ideal for other people, so I opted to give them a go.

Keep reading for my unfiltered review.

About the Technics AZ100 Earbuds

What I Like About the Technics AZ100 Earbuds

First and foremost, the sound quality you get from the Technics AZ100 Earbuds is unmatched. (This is no surprise given the brand’s history, which involves 60-plus years of innovating various sound systems, from two-system speakers to the first-ever turntable.) Technics engineers tell me this crispness is in part thanks to its proprietary “magnetic fluid driver,” which is typically used in larger speakers or sound systems for live concerts to deliver the best audio (read: no dreaded static), but has never before been shrunk into teeny little earbuds.

What that means, technically speaking, I haven’t a clue, so I will just say this: I’ve never heard my music more clearly than when wearing them. The moment you slip these puppies on and close your eyes, it’s like you’re there: sitting in the recording studio with Rufus du Sol on the other side of the wall.

Plus, those noise-canceling promises? Delivered and then some. I’ve worn them on an airplane and was so unbothered I missed the person sitting next to me asking to get up for the bathroom. (She eventually tapped me on the shoulder, but imagine the oblivion! What a thrill.) Plus, because I live in New York — where sirens and horn honking are practically the playlist of the city — I tend to listen to classical or ambient music on my computer while working to drown out the outside noise, which is as much a nuisance to my wife sitting in the room next door as it sounds. Wearing these, I can play my Vitamin String Quartet with abandon and she would never know.

Oh, and these benefits don’t just apply to you — its voice processing technology means that when you’re on a phone call, you can also cut out the other person’s background noise to hear them more clearly. (Welcome news for anyone who’s ever been on the other end of a conversation with someone at a party.)

Then, there are the minute details that take these earbuds from great to gotta have, like the fact that they can connect to up to three Bluetooth devices (I have them connected to my computer and my iPhone) and how the charging box is small and compact, making for easy storing and traveling.

None of these elements would matter, however, if it wasn’t comfortable. Thanks to the earbuds’ ergonomic design, meant to sit along the concha part of the ear, I can wear these for hours on end without the impending headache and blistering shame that comes with wedging something I know is too large into the side of my head.

What to Consider Before Trying the Technics AZ100 Earbuds

Like all new things, there’s a slight learning curve with using these earbuds. The conch-like shape is not as intuitive at first glance and you have to twist them into your ear to “lock” them in place. Luckily the Technics Audio Connect App guides you through how to use them during install, and there’s an imprinted “L” and “R” on each bud for easy reference, but it takes a little getting used to. (I squeezed the buds into the wrong ear at least 10 times when I first starting using them. At least.)

On that note, you do have to install an app to use these earbuds, which I, perennial lazy person, find annoying. But it’s not as bad once you do it and you never have to go back into the app unless you want to adjust something with your earbuds, like switching from noise cancelling to ambient mode to hear the sounds around you or toggling off the Voice Focus AI feature.

Who Are the Technics AZ100 Earbuds Best For?

Gather ’round, my fellow small-eared counterparts: if you’ve long considered earbuds to be painful in any way, shape, or form, these are for you. They slip in easily without having to push, and fit comfortably throughout the day. To help you find the perfect fit, Technics lets you choose your own adventure and has included extra small, small, medium, and large earpieces in each package that you can try on at home. Once you find the right pair, they also won’t budge through workouts, intense listening sessions where head-banging may or may not occur, or any other strenuous activity.

Should you prefer a weightier earbud, it’s worth noting that the brand offers a similar model — the Technics AZ80 ($200) — with a slightly larger earpiece for anyone who doesn’t experience such a small-ear conundrum. (I’ve tested that one, too, and can confirm the sound quality and noise cancelling capabilities are just as good, but I prefer the smaller fit of the AZ100.) Really, though, anyone regardless of ear shape would enjoy the experience of these — except, maybe, someone with a conch piercing.

Where Are the Technics AZ100 Earbuds Available?

You can scoop up these wireless, noise-canceling pods of joy on the brand’s website, in stores at Best Buy, and on Amazon.

Rating:
★★★★★

Kelsey Castañon (she/her) is an ASME Award-nominated writer, editor, and content strategist with enough years of experience to warrant a retinol prescription. She is currently the senior content director at PS, where she oversees the Beauty, Health, Fitness, and Balance verticals while simultaneously stockpiling (and reporting on) everything from skin care to wine.