Technics sent us the EAH-AZ60M2 for review and I have been using it for almost three weeks and here are my thoughts about this premium true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds.
If you have not heard of this company, here’s a short background about them. Technics is a Japanese brand of audio equipment owned by Panasonic Corporation. It was founded in 1965 as a separate division of Matsushita Electric Industrial (now Panasonic), with the goal of developing high-quality audio products.
What’s In The Box?
You get the earbuds, a USB-C charging cable, seven different sizes of ear tips and some warranty, quick start guide and etc.
Build Quality
The earbuds themselves are made of plastic, but they feel solid and well-made. The ear tips come in a variety of sizes, so you should be able to find a pair that fits snugly without being too tight.
However, sometimes it can be a bit difficult to take the earbuds out from the case, as the plastic material doesn’t offer much grip.
The charging case is also made of plastic, but it’s well-made and feels sturdy. The case has a magnetic closure that keeps the earbuds securely in place.
When I opened the lid and flipped it upside down, the earbuds didn’t fall out and were held securely by magnets. The lid also made a satisfying “thud” sound when I closed it.
Comfort
The AZ60M2 earbuds are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. When I’m just walking around or exercising at the gym, I’ve never felt that the earbuds were going to fall out.
The ear tips come in seven different sizes, which is a lot more than many other TWS on the market. With this many ear tips, you should be able to find a pair that fits your ears well. The default ear tips installed on the earbuds are M size, but I changed it to L.
The earbuds also have an IPX4 water resistance rating, so they can withstand sweat and light rain, which is ideal for me because I used it for working out.
Features
To get the most of out the AZ60M2, you will have download the Technics Audio Connect app, available for Android and iOS users.
The earbuds have a few unique features. One of these features is the ability to connect to up to three devices at the same time, which is quite rare for TWS.
This means that you can be connected to your phone, laptop, and tablet at the same time, and easily switch between devices.
But, you can do this if you use the SBC/AAC codec. If you selected the LDAC codec, you can only connect to two devices at most.
Another unique feature is the ability to customise the sound profile. The app allows you to adjust custom five-band EQ, select preset sound profiles, as well as enable or disable the noise cancellation and ambient mode.
The earbuds use touch controls to adjust volume, playback control, and toggle between ANC and ambient mode. The touch controls can be a bit finnicky and it took some time for me to get used to them.
There was a time where the touch controls failed to work properly when I was trying to turn on ambient mode. Other than that, it works pretty well.
Also, the touch controls can be customised according to your liking if you don’t like the default setup.
Furthermore, Technics introduces enhanced voice technology in its new earbuds through its JustMyVoice call technology, which is quite good.
With JustMyVoice, your voice signal is meticulously analysed, enabling the suppression of ambient noise. This prioritises your speech while effectively minimising undesired background interferences.
The settings menu provides an array of customisation choices, such as the ability to adjust the auto power-off behaviour and the option to choose a preferred voice assistant.
Audio Quality
Just for a disclaimer, I’m no audiophile, so I’m reviewing the sound quality from the perspective of a casual listener and of course, sound is a very subjective thing.
To me, the AZ60M2 have a pretty great sound quality. They have a balanced sound signature with a good amount of bass and treble. The bass is not overpowering, but it’s still present and gives the music some body.
The treble is clear and detailed, without being harsh. The mids are also well-represented, and vocals sound natural and clear.
The AZ60M2 earbuds also support the LDAC high-resolution audio codec, which can provide a significant improvement in sound quality over Bluetooth. However, you will need a compatible device to take advantage of this feature.
There’s a slight bit of delay when watching videos on YouTube for example, but most of them it’s not noticeable.
Noise Cancellation
The AZ60M2 earbuds have good noise cancellation quality. They use a dual-hybrid noise cancellation system that uses feedforward and feedback microphones to cancel out noise outside the ear.
The noise cancellation on the earbuds is effective at blocking out low-frequency noise, such as the rumble of traffic or the hum of an air conditioner. It’s not as effective at blocking out high-frequency noise, such as voices or the sound of people typing.
However, it’s still good enough to make a noticeable difference in the listening experience. The noise cancellation can be adjusted in the app, and there is also an Ambient Sound mode that allows me to hear my surroundings, which work pretty well.
Battery Life
With ANC off and AAC codec selected, Technics estimated that the earbuds can last up to 25 hours with the case.
Activating ANC and LDAC codec, the earbuds with the case can last up to 16 hours. Naturally, the battery life may differ based on your usual listening volume.
The company claims that it requires 2.5 to 3.5 hours for a full recharge of the earphones when they are completely depleted (depending on whether wired or wireless charging is employed). A 15-minute wired charge should yield approximately 70 minutes of AAC playback. The AZ60M2 supports Qi wireless charging as well.
Personally, the earbuds can easily last me more than a week with ANC and LDAC selected, with each day’s listening sessions lasting around 35 minutes while I’m at the gym before I have to charge the case. So, I’m satisfied with the battery life.
Is It Worth The Money?
Overall, the Technics EAH-AZ60M2 excel as true wireless earbuds, delivering high-quality audio, effective noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit.
Their versatility is further enhanced by features like multi-device connectivity and customisable sound profiles.
However, it’s worth noting that they come at a relatively high price, with a retail price of RM1,299, and that could be a tough sell in a market crowded with affordable and good ANC wireless earbuds.
But if you can afford it, then the AZ60M2 is worthy of consideration.
