Наушники — Technics EAH-AZ40M2

The EAH-AZ40M2 is a compact true wireless earbud from Technics with active noise cancelling and a small, light charging case. Technics presented it as the new version of its entry-level true wireless model with noise cancelling, available from August 2023 at a US price of USD 169.99 in black, silver and rose gold.

Key specs that matter

Each earpiece has a 6 mm driver. Technics quotes a frequency response of 20 Hz to 40 kHz with LDAC streaming at 96 kHz and 990 kbps. Codecs are SBC, AAC and LDAC. An earpiece weighs about 5 g and the charging case about 35 g. The earbuds are rated IPX4 equivalent against water, a rating that does not apply to the case.

Engineering and use context

Behind the small driver, an acoustic control chamber manages air flow, and a harmonizer element works on the treble range to reduce distortion. Active noise cancelling relies on feedforward microphones combined with a digital software filter. Four earpiece sizes ranging from XS through S and M to L are packed, the M pair fitted from new, and the choice also affects isolation. Besides noise cancelling, Natural Ambient and Attention modes let outside sound in, and the touch sensor controls can be customised in the Technics Audio Connect app. Beamforming technology is used on calls so that the speaking voice is separated from background noise. Multipoint lets the earbuds hold active connections to up to 3 devices at the same time. Topping up the earbuds takes roughly 2 hours, the case needs about 2.5 hours from a USB supply, and a complete system charge takes about 3 hours. A quick charge of 15 minutes provides about 60 minutes of playback with AAC and noise cancelling on. Alexa is built in, and the box holds a short cord of about 0.2 m for charging, running from USB Type-A to Type-C.

Pairing

Android phones and portable players that transmit LDAC can use the higher-resolution link, while iPhones and other AAC or SBC sources connect in the standard way. Bluetooth profiles are A2DP, AVRCP, HSP and HFP, and the operating distance reaches up to 10 m. Either earbud can also be used on its own, and voice assistants can be activated from the earbuds. The case charges through USB, so any common USB charger or computer port can top it up. The LDAC link carries up to 24 bit resolution.

Alternatives

Higher in the Technics earbud range, the EAH-AZ100 adds adaptive hybrid noise cancelling and magnetic fluid drivers.