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New update of Technics AZ60 and AZ40 headphones, this time Technics removes noise cancellation
The scope of Technics remote headphones has been expanded with the AZ60 and AZ40, two models that unequivocally bet on the qualities of the Japanese brand.
When we talk about Technics, we are familiar with its most famous items, such as turntables, speakers and players; however, lately the Panasonic brand has sought to adjust to current occasions, and these models are merely one aspect of the result.
We are talking about two different models: the EAH-AZ60 is the most developed and complete, and the EAH-AZ40 maintains a significant number of similar elements, although with certain reductions to reduce cost.
The central question, obviously, is whether they both live up to the extraordinary contest that we are finding in this area, with vital launches throughout 2021.
The Technics AZ60 the best
The AZ60s are the benchmark Technics, and in light of current circumstances. They are the most ridiculously complete, and have thrusters that I would like to see in other brands.
Regarding the model, the help of LDAC, the codec created by Sony that allows to acquire a higher quality of sound through the connection between the headphones, which for this situation is Bluetooth 5.2.
It is thanks to this codec that the AZ60 can get music at a quality not usually found in remote headphones: 24 pieces and 96 kHz. In case you are an audiophile, that is, if the sound quality is your need, that will satisfy you; in case you are not, it can confuse you a bit and may even be a totally useless component.
This is because most of the realtime functions do not serve the sound with such quality; we have to settle for HD sound managements, like Tidal or Amazon Music HD, or play FLAC documents locally from our phone, to really take advantage of these headphones.
In the case that we use Spotify, which does not have HD management yet, it doesn't really make any difference in the case that we use LDAC or AAC (the best codec that is generally accessible in many headphones), since we will not see the distinction.
However, in the case that we have an iPhone, this does not make any difference, since the Apple laptop does not support this codec; We can use the AZ60s with an iPhone without problems and with great sound quality, but we will not exploit them with Apple Music (neither these nor other remote headphones, as you may have guessed).
Therefore, it is important to fit a few pieces to have the desired sound quality; We need an Android phone, enter the Technics authority app to run LDAC in the setup menu, and use a great web-based feature.
Fortunately, when we put all these requirements together, we can see our wish fulfilled: the best strong quality. Also, I mean the best, to the point where sometimes I felt like I wasn't wearing headphones.
The AZ60s are an acceptable headset, worthy of getting the brand across. They use 8 mm 'drivers', larger than what we are used to, but not as extensive as the 11 mm of other models, for example, the OnePlus Buds Pro ; However, not everything is size, and while the OnePlus generally sounded excellent, I think these Technics surpass them even in equivalent terms (AAC codec and sounds from platforms like Spotify or YouTube).
It's wide and fresh audio quality, with which I never felt like I was missing any of the melody; it is feasible to get each of the subtleties of our number one songs without a problem. It is obvious that Technics has chosen a more "level" setting, or at any rate, giving a certain unmistakable quality to the high tone.
This does not mean that the bass have been deserted, no sir; they just don't show up when they should. However, if you play techno music, have no doubt that these headphones will want to "hit" your head like no other.
It is a higher priority than at any other time to place them correctly, since, assuming you do not do it, you could even feel pain in your ear. The Technics don't help much either, as the main signal is that the "Technics" printed on the headphones should be level, and clearly you can't peek into your own ear.
The AZ60s have the best in audio, but also in recording. The AZ60s include 8 individual mouthpieces and external noise reduction ; however, in testing, they have not been as great in eliminating unwanted sounds from my calls and voice audios as the Jabra Elite 7 Pro that was recently released. In any case, they are not terrible for calls.
In addition, they have a dynamic retraction of unwanted sounds, adaptable with the application : we can choose how much we need to erase external sounds, although if we overdo it, we will see the common sound "faults" that are generated by the algorithm.
Likewise, we can choose if we want surround sound so that the elements of our environment can be heard more easily. The controls on the AZ60 (and aZ40) are material, and they aren't great; the huge touch surface makes it too easy to consider contact when we prefer not to.
With an estimated price of 229 euros, the Technics EAH-AZ60 undoubtedly have a place with the best quality, rivaling options like the AirPods Pro.
Even though they may seem pricey, I really consider them modest for the sound quality they have, LDAC codec support, and extra components, for example noise retraction. In case you are looking for the best audio, there really are very few better options.
More modest and less expensive Technics AZ40
In case it is too high a cost for us, Technics also offers the AZ40, a more modest adaptation and lower price, largely because its drivers are only 6 mm. Interestingly, this does not infer a great misfortune in terms of sound quality.
Clearly these headphones play on an alternative association to the AZ60s, and while the sound remains exceptionally clear and top-notch, we lose that sense of spaciousness and punch.
This is particularly noticeable in the bass, which are no longer as infiltrative. Still, they are still better than expected in terms of sound quality, and they are not disappointing at all.
The fact that they are more modest also helps the ergonomics in a gigantic way. These headphones are substantially more enjoyable, and we can keep them for a long time without any problems, in contrast to the AZ60s. The charging case is also more modest and more movable.
Regrettably, in any remaining aspect we experienced some dissatisfaction. These headphones don't hold LDAC like their "big brothers", leaving us with AAC. I don't know to what extent that would have impacted on sound quality, but that suggests these headphones won't be as meaningful to audiophiles.
Surprisingly, we also crossed out the active noise cancellation. I say explicitly, in light of the fact that they do have other smart highlights, for example, one that confines our voice during calls and lessens the shock of the wind, plus a surrounding mode to pay attention to surround sounds.
You are inclined that they have everything you need to activate the noise cancellation option, however Technics has chosen not to run it.
Also, that is a transgression with the value that they have. 149 euros is expensive for headphones with these elements; in this value range the opposition is much higher, and there are numerous cases of headphones with active cancellation and great sound, for example, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 that cost something very similar.
The Technics EAH-AZ40 are not terrible headphones, they rely heavily on their sound quality to interest the customer; In the event they had noise removal I would suggest them without a second thought, however it all depends on what your needs are.
Unlike the AZ60s, which have so many features that the additional speculation is impressive.
