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Technics has been making great strides with their headphones and since their last flagship model, I’ve been interested to see where they are headed. Their latest, the EAH-AZ40M2, are lower-cost but high-end earbuds for folks who don’t want to spend upwards of $300 for a pair of buds. And the Technics EAH-AZ40M2 Earbuds work great.
The Technics EAH-AZ40M2 earbuds are a fresh entrant to its True Wireless range. With their sleek, lightweight design, these earbuds aren’t just about looks. They feature robust Active Noise Cancelling Technology and solid sound clarity. I found the earbuds quite pleasant in everyday scenarios – they were delightful on the subway, for example – but I did find them to be a bit ill-fitting which led to a lot of noise while flying.
I took these earbuds on a 14-hour journey and listened to mainly movie audio. They were not as precise as Technics’ flagship EAH-AZ80 earbuds that we reviewed a few months ago but they were more than sufficient for the purpose.
Technics EAH-AZ40M2 Earbuds: Sound Quality & Price
Sound quality was solid. I listened to a number of tracks with these, including some jazz and rock. The entire sound spectrum was well-represented, with punchy bass and an excellent soundstage. They don’t feature fun improvements like Spatial Audio but you probably don’t need them in this device.
The good news is that these Technics EAH-AZ40M2 Earbuds won’t break the bank. Priced at a competitive $169.99, the earbuds come in black, white, and gold. The 6mm driver exudes sound that’s both expansive and deep. And despite their trim size, these earbuds hide ingenious tech like an acoustic control chamber which ensures vocals sound natural, bass notes punchy, and trebles solid. In short, it’s a great workhorse audio device.
The earbuds support High-Resolution Audio Quality combined with Bluetooth and LDAC technology and the company leveled up their EAH-AZ40s with active noise cancelling. Switching between devices is a breeze, with the earbuds effortlessly handling up to three Bluetooth devices. And for those juggling calls in noisy settings or remote work scenarios, two MEMS mics with beamforming tech ensure you’re heard without ambient interference. The ambient sound modes are a thoughtful addition: “Natural Ambient” lets in surrounding sounds, while “Attention Mode” zeroes in on human voices, filtering out unnecessary noise.
Battery life is robust: 7 hours of play on a single charge, and with the compact case, you’re powered for a whopping 24 hours. I was able to briefly recharge them during the long flight to get a full 12 hours out of them. For those maximizing the noise-cancelling feature, expect 5.5 hours of continuous music, totaling 18 hours with the case. Configuration is user-friendly via the Technics Audio Connect App, complete with voice assistant support and sound customizations. The earbuds are also IPX4 water-resistant.
Pros
What did I like about these? The price. At $169 they are excellent earbuds from an excellent manufacturer. You’re not going to mistake these for top-of-the-line Bose or Sony but you’ll definitely enjoy them as an alternative to AirPods or other lower-priced earbuds. As I noted before, Technics has been making great strides in this space and I’m pleased to report that these are great verging on excellent.
Cons
The battery life isn’t perfect but it was more than sufficient for a long flight. I was never worried that the earbuds would fail while listening. If I have any complaints it’s about the intensity of the noise cancelling, especially in an airline cabin. The AirPods Pro blocked most of the sound while these let in quite a bit, reducing cabin noise to a dull roar instead of a hiss. Obviously, you’re not going to get the highest processing power out of Technics’ lower-end model but it’s definitely something to consider.
Are the Technics EAH-AZ40M2 earbuds good earbuds?
If you’re willing to accept the lower-quality noise canceling, these earbuds are great. They’re priced right, have great battery life, and fit well. Given their pedigree, it’s not surprising that they offer excellent sound quality. I just would just prefer that they be a bit more on the ball when it comes to loud, repetitive white noise. That said, if you’re not going to hit the friendly skies in these you can easily enjoy music and movies in complete comfort and relative silence for far less than similar earbuds.
About the Author / Author Expertise
John Biggs is an entrepreneur, consultant, writer, and maker. He spent fifteen years as an editor for Gizmodo, CrunchGear, and TechCrunch and has a deep background in hardware startups, 3D printing, and blockchain. His work has appeared in Men’s Health, Wired, and the New York Times.
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