Technics EAH-AZ100

With a 99.2 out of 100 call score and a perfect connectivity ranking, the Technics EAH-AZ100 are the most impressive earbuds for voice we've ever tested. Sound stays reference-grade with LDAC and a distortion-killing magnetic fluid driver. ANC is a hair behind the AZ80 but still top-tier, and the price tag will make you pause if you don't need this level of call prowess.

The Technics EAH-AZ100 posts a 99.2 out of 100 in our call quality scoring, making it the absolute best we've tested for voice calls. That's backed by a 100th percentile connectivity ranking and a 97th percentile mic, so you'll handle meetings from anywhere without a hiccup. The sound is also elite, landing in the 99th percentile thanks to a 10mm magnetic fluid driver that shrugs off distortion, plus LDAC and Dolby Atmos support. It's a true hi-fi experience that sits comfortably in your ears (93rd percentile comfort), though battery life is a more modest 79th percentile at 8 hours per bud and 28 from the case. Still, 10 minutes of quick charging gets you an hour of playback, so it's rarely a dealbreaker for office and travel use.

Pricing lands between $248 and $340 depending on the vendor, which puts it squarely in flagship territory. The build quality is solid (79th percentile) with an IPX4 rating, but don't expect this to be your gym companion, fitness only scores 82.9. The real story here is that Technics took the already great AZ80 and refined the call AI to the point where owners say it blocks out screaming kids and car washes. If you're after the best possible voice performance without sacrificing music quality, these buds demand attention.

The EAH-AZ100 flexes hard where it counts. Our database shows a 99th percentile sound ranking, driven by that unique magnetic fluid driver. In practice, that means ultra-clean separation, a wide soundstage, and zero harshness even at high volumes with LDAC streaming. Bass is tight and controlled, not boomy. Dolby Atmos with head tracking adds an immersive layer that makes movies and Atmos-mixed tracks feel huge, though it's more a cherry on top than the main course.

Call performance is freakishly good. With six mics and Voice Focus AI, the buds hit a 97th percentile for mic clarity, and the review data backs it up: owners regularly mention the earbuds silencing everything from a car wash to a loud toddler. ANC is also top-tier at 97th percentile, though you'll notice it's not the absolute best in wind or sudden noises. The previous AZ80 had an edge there according to some users, but the AZ100 still cancels out the low rumble of a plane cabin effortlessly. You can connect to three devices at once thanks to that perfect connectivity score, switching smoothly between a laptop, phone, and tablet.

At $248 to $340, you're paying a serious premium, but you're also getting the best call quality in the game. For someone who spends hours on calls and wants reference-grade music, the price per performance ratio is acceptable. The Sony WF-1000XM5 often sits around $300 and can't match the mic clarity, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra are similarly priced but trade blows on ANC and sound signature. If you can snag the AZ100 near the $250 mark, it's a steal. At full retail, it's still worth it if call performance is your job requirement, but more casual listeners might find better value in the EarFun Air Pro 4+ at half the price.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer seamless Samsung integration and stronger ANC, but our call data puts them well behind the AZ100. Sony WF-1000XM5 remain the ANC champs and have a warmer sound, yet their mic can't touch the 97th percentile performance here. Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen nail the spatial audio trick and comfort, but the AZ100 beats them on pure call clarity and codec support like LDAC. Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are the closest in sound pedigree with aptX Adaptive, but the Technics still outclasses them for voice isolation. And at the budget end, EarFun Air Pro 4+ lack the magnetic fluid driver and top-end mic chops. If calls and connectivity dominate your day, the AZ100 runs circles around the rest.

Skip these if fitness is your main use case, the 82.9 fitness score and merely decent battery at 79th percentile don't cut it for gym rats or ultramarathoners. Also, if you're coming from the AZ80 purely for a big ANC upgrade, you might be left wanting; the noise cancelling is great but not a leap forward. And if you're on a tight budget, the $248-$340 range is hard to swallow when the EarFun Air Pro 4+ give you surprisingly strong ANC and solid mics under $100.

The Technics EAH-AZ100 is a knockout for anyone who lives on calls and loves music. You're getting best-in-class call quality, top-shelf sound, and tri-device connectivity that just works. The ANC is excellent, though not the absolute leader, and the battery is good enough for a full workday plus quick top-ups. At this price, the fitness weaknesses and minor ANC step back from the AZ80 might sting, but for travel and office warriors, the data says these are as good as it gets. We recommend them without hesitation if voice performance is your priority.