Technics EAH-AZ100 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: I tried these two elite headphones, but which is better for you?

Until very recently, Sony A small niche or two very pleasant in the world of the The best wireless headphones: Those of the ‘best all the uprisers’ and ‘best headphones compatible with android’ in particular. Numerous rival brands had tried to break Sony’s hegemony, but the best thing that anyone could handle was “good attempt, but not quite …”

Technics was one of those “almost” brands, except that their recent outbreaks have finally fulfilled the promise to overcome Sony in their own game, and the new Technics EAH-AZ100 Conduct that house. Smaller, lighter and more comfortable than the EAH-AZ80 model that replaced, with an appearance, a sensation and a set of features that justifies more than the premium sale price, the EAH-AZ100 is the strongest competition to promote Sony WF-1000xm5 Once as the obvious general selection.

I have spent a lot of time with Technics every-AZ100 and with the Sony WF-1000xm5, so I can completely compare the market leaders established for a long time and the best of the challengers, so it is how they accumulate.

Technics EAH-AZ100 vs Sony WF-1000xm5: Price and release date

Technics EAH-AZ100 IN-EARHICS IN A WHITE SURFACE

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

The EAH-AZ100 techniques were announced in January 2025 and went on sale that same month. Obviously, they have not yet had many possibilities to enjoy a price cut, so you must expect to pay the complete $ 299 in the United States, £ 259 in the United Kingdom and Au $ 499 in Australia.

As a contrast, the Sony WF-1000xm5 has hung there for a couple of years: they were launched at the end of July 2023, and therefore they are approaching its second anniversary. This longevity indicates how correct Sony did it with this model, and also means that the WF-1000xm5 has also become a bit more affordable. When they launched, the initial price was £ 259 / $ 299 / au $ 499. It seems familiar, right? In these days, of course, you do not have to see them so hard to find them in more than £ 199 / $ 219 / au $ 359.

However, £ 200 or even more counts as ‘Premium’, just because Sony headphones are relatively long in the tooth, have not ceased to be extremely capable and, therefore, have a price accordingly. So, although there is a big difference in the sale price between them and the much newer techniques, do not imagine that both are not disputing the same area of the true wireless market.

Technics EAH-AZ100 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: Sound quality

Sony WF-1000xm5 sustained in the silver background

(Image credit: future)

I have spent a lot of time listening to each of these pairs of true wireless wireless headphones. I have spent more time with Sony, obviously, because my pair is advancing for two years, but since I first entered the EAH-AH-AZ100 techniques, I found myself looking more and more often. And although some of that is due to novelty, it has more to do with the way they feel, and even more it has to do with the way they sound.

That does not mean that the Sony WF-000xm5 have poorly poorly, you understand. The fact that a product has hung there a little more than I expected, that does not mean that its performance has been delayed; On the contrary, he suggests that his performance was extremely good to begin with. And that is undoubtedly the case with the XM5: at every step, they are a fascinating and entertaining listening.

With regard to the extensive strokes of detail recovery, it is about the general clarity and the unit of the sound presentation, the Sony are as good as any compensable price rival that cares to mention. And when it comes to a simple ‘musicality’, the confidence of its tonal balance, the positivity of its rhythmic expression and the feeling of a coherent performance, they remain high among class leaders. They communicate eloquently, and are open and well defined even when they play complex recordings and/or heavy elements.

Perhaps the only area in which they lack slightly is in the presence and substance of low frequency. The XM5 deepens the frequency range and gives low variation sounds once they are there, but they are not the most robust or forceful listening. Other true wireless headphones run into more force and with more determination … and EAH-AH-AZ100 techniques are among them.

Technics EAH-AZ100 IN-EAR HEADPHARDS, one up and down, on a white surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

When it comes to a low -end impulse and dynamism, AZ100 is one of the best pound designs per pound, and this is not the limit of its talents. In each significant respect (frequency response, tone, integration, whatever, the techniques are a powerful case for themselves.

They are a skilled and insightful listening, capable of extracting the smallest and transitory details of a recording and putting them in a convincing general context. They are powerful low frequency artists without losing any control or authority: their presence of serious is considerable, but it is also straight and fast, as well as a pile of tonal variation, they also have a safe rhythmic capacity.

There is a coherence and a singularity for the EAH-AZ100 sound that works in almost all the genres of music that you care to mention. If you are listening to things left over, guitar and voice, then the techniques may sound intimate and immediate, and if you are listening to a complete symphonic orchestra that is prepared for the final assault, then they are dynamics’ on a large scale already large scale and assertive.

The capacity to sound positive and direct, and also to sound rimbombante and forceful, and to be able to change between those two states in an instant, is rare in the audio products of any kind, at any price. Which means that EAH-AZ100 techniques are deeply achieved and absolutely demand their attention.

Winner: Technics EAH-AZ100

Technics EAH-AZ100 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: Features

Sony WF-000xm5 headphones on the palm of one hand

(Image credit: future)

As you can imagine, EAH-AH-AU100 and Sony WF-1000X5 techniques have a lot in common when it comes to the characteristics. Both have Cancellation of active noiseBoth have completely prominent control applications and receptive tactile controls, and also have quite similar life numbers (Sony headphones can spend eight and 12 hours before they need to visit their load case, depending on how they use them, and The same is true for techniques).

Both have an IPX4 qualification against dust and humidity, and both use Bluetooth 5.3 with the compatibility of LDAC for wireless connectivity, although Technics is compatible with Bluetooth audio and the LC3 codec too. Both include a variation of the ‘adaptive’ active noise cancellation that monitors external sound levels and adjusts ANC consequently.

Naturally, there are also differences, both in terms of characteristics and specifications. The techniques use a couple of 10 mm dynamic controllers to offer a frequency response of 20Hz-40kHz, while Sony is formed with a pair of 8.4 mm controllers to serve a frequency response of 20Hz-20kz perfectly adequate.

The Sony uses three microphones by headphones to deal with active noise cancellation, telephony and assistant voice interaction, and also has a noise reduction engine along with a bone driver sensor to detect when talking.

The techniques also have three microphones per side for the same purposes, but the bet a bit with ‘Voice Focus AI’ to help with the quality of the calls.

And while Sony has multipoint connectivity that allows them to connect to two devices at the same time to instant switching, the techniques can connect to three at the same time, which is ideal for complete multitasking between us. This is a unique limit, only the Technics Eah-Az80 coincide with this.

Winner: Technics EAH-AZ100

Technics EAH-AZ100 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: Design and comfort

Technics Eah-Aaz100 aurices in black, on a beige background, sustained in one hand

(Image credit: future)

When he launched the WF-1000xm5, Sony made a rather large noise about how much smaller and light they are compared to the model they replaced. And the same is true for the techniques: the EAH-AZ80 were among the thickest headphones, but the EAH-AZ100 are totally trimming and lighter, and are more comfortable for longer as a result.

The Sony does not have a molded stabilization fin such as the techniques, or, at least, it does not resemble what it is pronounced, but between the quite ergonomic design and a selection of four different sizes of Eartip in the packaging, it is what it is what Simple enough to obtain a stable and comfortable adjustment.

Technics, which for a long time has had a bee in its hood on the importance of attention sheets when it comes to an efficient and comfortable adjustment, provides five different sizes.

The 5.9G per Technics (and 42 g for the empty load box) further increases the comfort ratio: there are many larger and more heavy wireless headphones. However, the Sony are not among them, because they are also 5.9 g per side and their load case is a 39G even more practical.

Both models are available in the interpretation of their ‘black’ or ‘silver’ manufacturers, and both are built and finished with a very high standard. If I was forced to choose, I would suggest that the techniques look and feel a little more premium and luxury than the Sony, but I understand enough if it does not agree.

Winner: tie

Technics EAH-AZ100 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: verdict

Sony WF-000xm5 auricito sustained in a hand on white background

(Image credit: future)

‘Playing safe’ is not automatically bad. And if you play it, to choose to buy what the true wireless wireless headphones of the class have been during the last two years, then I doubt that the Sony WF-1000xm5 of Sony is disappointed: they sound very good, they cancel the noise in a way Very effective, their control options are well implemented, they are comfortable and look part.

And yet, time does not expect any man, nor true wireless wireless headphones, and for my money the Sony have finally found their party. Technics EH-AZ100 are a general match for WF-1000xm5, and add a low frequency positivity dose and (to my eyes, at least) a more premium aspect to make them an even more attractive proposal.

If you are looking for the best pound for true wireless wireless pound, you now have a real decision to make … but would take the techniques.