Technics is not a brand you associate with true wireless earbuds. The company built its reputation on turntables — the SL-1200 is the most important piece of DJ equipment ever made. But the EAH-AZ100 is a serious entry into the premium earbud market, priced directly against Sony’s WF-1000XM6 at $300.
Sony owns this category. The XM series has been the benchmark for ANC earbuds since the XM3, and each generation refines the formula. But Technics brings something Sony does not: a tuning philosophy rooted in decades of audio engineering for musicians and audiophiles.
After extensive listening with both, the winner is less clear than you would expect.
Sound Quality
The Technics EAH-AZ100 sounds different from every other wireless earbud on the market. The 10mm free-edge dynamic drivers produce a sound that is spacious, airy, and remarkably natural. Bass is present and controlled — you hear the texture of a bass guitar string, not just the low-frequency thump. The midrange is the star: vocals sit forward in the mix with warmth and presence. Treble is extended but never harsh. The soundstage is wider and deeper than any other true wireless earbud.
Sony’s WF-1000XM6 has a more energetic, detailed presentation. The 8.4mm driver pushes more bass quantity than the Technics — it is punchy and fun without being bloated. The soundstage is narrower but imaging is precise — you can pinpoint where each instrument sits. Sony’s LDAC codec delivers hi-res audio that the Technics cannot match if you have a compatible Android phone.
For critical listening and acoustic music, the Technics is better. For pop, hip-hop, and podcasts, the Sony’s energy is more engaging. The Technics sounds like a pair of wired audiophile IEMs that happen to be wireless. The Sony sounds like the best wireless earbuds ever made — which is what it is.
Noise Cancellation
Sony’s ANC is best-in-class. The dual-processor system and eight microphones reduce environmental noise to near-silence. On a flight, the engine drone disappears. In an office, conversations are muted to a distant murmur.
The Technics ANC is good but not Sony-level. Low-frequency cancellation is competitive, but midrange noise — voices, keyboard typing — leaks through more noticeably. It is perfectly adequate for a coffee shop or commute but falls short in very loud environments.
For ANC, Sony wins decisively.
Comfort and Fit
The Technics EAH-AZ100 uses a concha-locking design that tucks into your ear’s outer ridge. Combined with seven sizes of silicone tips, the fit is exceptionally secure and comfortable for hours. The earbuds weigh 7 grams each — slightly heavier than average but well-distributed.
Sony’s foam tips create a tight seal that improves passive isolation but can feel intrusive after two hours. Some people love the foam tips. Others replace them immediately with silicone. The fit is secure and the earbuds are lighter at 6 grams each.
Both are comfortable, but the Technics is the better choice for long listening sessions.
Features and App
Sony’s Headphones Connect app is feature-packed: a multi-band EQ, DSEE Extreme upscaling, 360 Reality Audio setup, adaptive sound control that changes settings based on your location, and Speak-to-Chat. It is powerful but cluttered — finding the setting you want takes exploration.
The Technics Audio Connect app is cleaner but less feature-rich. EQ is available, ANC levels can be adjusted, and multipoint Bluetooth works reliably. There is no adaptive sound or upscaling. The app prioritizes clarity over features, which matches the earbuds’ audiophile positioning.
Battery life is similar: 8 hours with ANC on for Sony, 7 hours for Technics. Both cases provide three additional charges. Both support wireless charging.
Verdict
The Sony WF-1000XM6 is the better all-around earbud for most people. The ANC is best-in-class, the sound is energetic and fun, the feature set is comprehensive, and the price at $300 is competitive. If you want the most capable true wireless earbuds available, Sony remains the safe and smart choice.
The Technics EAH-AZ100 is the better earbud for people who care about sound above all else. The tuning is genuinely special — spacious, natural, and detailed in ways that no Sony earbud has matched. If you own a pair of wired audiophile IEMs and want that experience without cables, the Technics is the closest anyone has come. The ANC is not class-leading, and the feature set is leaner, but the sound makes up for it.