More than 1.5 years after its previous generation, Technics unveils new high-end headphones. Nothing revolutionary, but notable improvements with wireless charging, Bluetooth 5.3 and hybrid active noise reduction.
Technics, a subsidiary specializing in audio products from the Panasonic group, is releasing the 3e generation of its true wireless headphones. Following the DNA of the venerable Matsushita group, the new range of in-ear headphones favors acoustic quality over active noise reduction.
Outstanding acoustic quality
For this new vintage, Technics has further pushed the audio requirement sliders. There are still two models of headphones, but they have nothing to do with the previous generation. The entry-level Technics 2023 corresponds at least to the top-of-the-range 2021. The AZ60M2 are indeed supercharged AZ60s since they integrate the Bluetooth 5.3 (with multi-point on 3 different devices) and larger speakers (8 mm). They still accept the LDAC codec for high definition sound.
These headphones are not the most compact on the market because they conceal an acoustic control chamber which amplifies frequencies for sharper highs, but especially deeper lows. THE Technics AZ80 repeat the specifications of the AZ60, but have a even larger speaker (10 mm) made of aluminum for deep bass.
When the majority of headphones with ANC are content with 2 or 4 microphones, the Technics AZ60M2 and AZ-80 have 8 ! Not only do they better capture surrounding noise to eliminate them, but they better identify the user’s voice to isolate and amplify it. It is the concept of JustMyVoice technology. Calls in a noisy environment will thus be more comfortable for the interlocutors. In addition, a microphone associated with a hardware filter inhibits the noise coming from the auditory canal in addition to a digital processing. There active noise reduction is therefore hybrid.
Premium features
This debauchery of electronics weighs down the headphones. The headphones of the AZ60M2 and AZ80 weigh 7 grams while the box displays 45 grams. However, autonomy is not outdone and remains equivalent between the two models. In HD listening (LDAC codec), AZ60M2 and AZ80 ensure during 4h30 with ANC on (5h without ANC). In standard listening (AAC codec), the autonomy increases to 7am with ANC and even 7:30 (without ANC). With the box, autonomy increases to 24h with AAC and ANC codecbut plummets to 4 p.m. with LDAC and ANC. The AZ60M2 and AZ80 earphones also benefit from a inductive charging. Technics promises 70 minutes of music in 15 minutes of wireless charging.
On Android as on iOS, the AZ60M2 and AZ80 headphones use the software Technics Audio Connect with an impressive level of options. They are moreover controllable by gesture on each of the headphones. They are also compatible with voice assistant built into the phone. They are not waterproof, but withstand perspiration and splashes (IPX4). Aiming at the upper segment of the market, both models of Technics headphones come with 7 pairs of tips of different sizes to fit all auricular morphologies and a USB type C cable.
The Technics EAH-AZ60M2 and EAH-AZ-80 headphones are already marketed on the manufacturer’s merchant site, the e-commerce sites Amazon, Cdiscount, Darty, Ubaldi. The EAH-AZ60M2 are available in colors silver, midnight blue or black while the EAH-AZ80 exist only in black or silver. The mid-range AZ60M2 model is on sale at the recommended price of 229 euros. The premium AZ80 model is displayed at the public price of 299 euros. High prices for high-end performance. These earbuds should undoubtedly join the podium of the best True Wireless headphones.
