Technics Technics Reference Class Hi-Fi Wireless Review
The Technics AZ100 deliver mind-blowing sound quality that tops our charts, but their battery life is a surprising weak spot. Are they still worth $300?
The 30-Second Version
Buy these for the best sound in wireless earbuds, period. Just keep a charger handy because the battery life is stuck in 2019.
Overview
The Technics AZ100 earbuds are a sound-first masterpiece that makes almost everything else feel like a compromise. If you're chasing the absolute best audio quality in a wireless package, this is it. They're not trying to be the best at everything, but they've laser-focused on delivering a listening experience that lands in the 99th percentile for sound quality. The one thing to know is that you're paying for Technics' legendary audio engineering, not a jack-of-all-trades feature set.
Performance
The sound quality is the headline, and it's no joke. The planar magnetic drivers deliver a level of detail and clarity that genuinely surprised us. Bass is tight and accurate, not just loud and boomy. The real shocker, though, is the battery life. At just 10 hours with ANC on, it lands in the 12th percentile. For a $300 premium product, that's rough. You'll be charging the case more often than you'd like, especially compared to competitors pushing 8-10 hours on the buds alone.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong anc (99th percentile) 99th
- Strong sound (92th percentile) 92th
- Strong connectivity (87th percentile) 87th
- Strong social proof (79th percentile) 79th
Cons
- Below average mic (17th percentile) 17th
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | In-Ear |
| Wearing Style | rounded tip |
| Ear Tips | s |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.1 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | Planar Magnetic |
| Codecs | Adaptive Noise Cancelling, Dolby Atmos with Head Tracking, AI-powered Spatial Audio |
| Surround | Dolby Atmos, Spatial Audio |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
| ANC Type | Adaptive |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Wired Connector | Bluetooth |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 10 |
Case Battery
| Case Battery | 28 |
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
Features
| Touch Controls | Yes |
| Water Resistance | Water-Resistant |
Value & Pricing
Worth it, but only for a specific buyer. At $300, you're making a trade-off. You're getting arguably the best sound in the wireless earbud game, but you're accepting mediocre battery life and just-okay call quality. If your top priority is sonic perfection, the value is there. If you need all-day endurance or crystal-clear calls, it's a harder sell.
Price History
vs Competition
This is a three-way fight. The Sony WF-1000XM5 is the all-rounder champion with better battery and ANC, but the Technics wins on pure audio fidelity. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds crush everything on comfort and ANC strength, but their sound signature is more relaxed. The Nothing Ear (a) offers a fun, engaging sound for half the price, but lacks the refinement and features. You pick Technics for the sound, Sony for the balance, and Bose for the comfort and noise cancellation.
| Spec | Technics Technics Reference Class Hi-Fi Wireless | Technics Technics EAH-AZ100 Reference-Class True Wireless | Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation Apple - AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation - | Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless | Jabra Jabra Evolve2 Buds USB-C MS Earbuds with USB-C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | True Wireless | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Driver Type | Planar Magnetic | Dynamic | Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless In-Ear Headphones (Black) | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Case Battery Hours | 28 | 11 | 16 | 25 | 18 | 25 |
| Water Resistance | Water-Resistant | IPX4 | IPX4 | Water-Resistant | IPX4 | IP57 |
| Multipoint | true | true | true | true | true | true |
Common Questions
Q: Is the battery life really that bad?
For a $300 pair of earbuds in 2024, yes, it's disappointing. 10 hours with ANC on is below average. You'll get through a workday, but heavy users will need the case.
Q: Are they good for working out?
They're water-resistant and fit well, so light workouts are fine. But we wouldn't make them our dedicated gym buds—the battery life and premium price tag make us nervous around heavy sweat.
Q: How's the noise cancellation?
It's fantastic, in the 98th percentile. It's adaptive and very effective, especially for constant noises like plane engines or office hum. It's just not *quite* as absolute as Bose's best.
Who Should Skip This
If you need earbuds that last all day and then some on a single charge, skip these. The battery life is their Achilles' heel. Go get the Sony WF-1000XM5 instead—you'll trade a sliver of audio purity for hours more playback and arguably better overall polish.
Verdict
We recommend the Technics AZ100 if you are an audiophile first and an earbud user second. Buy these for the magical, detailed, rich sound that makes music new again. But go in with eyes wide open about the battery life. For everyone else—commuters who need all-day juice, remote workers who live on calls, or folks who just want great sound without the premium price—the Sony XM5 or even the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC are more sensible daily drivers.