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Apple AirPods (2nd generation) vs Technics EAH-AZ100: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) vs Technics EAH-AZ100, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Technics EAH-AZ100 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
  • Technics EAH-AZ100
HearWiki score
-
86
Sound
-
9.2
Noise cancelling
-
8.6
Battery
-
8.7
Calls
-
7.8
Value
-
8.1
Price (USD)
$160
$250

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Technics EAH-AZ100 (2025) against Apple AirPods (2nd generation) (2019). The Technics EAH-AZ100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0, Top codec LC3 against AAC, LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Wear detection and Transparency mode.

  • AirPods (2nd generation)2019
  • EAH-AZ10020256 yr newer
What differsAirPods (2nd generation)EAH-AZ100

Platform

Bluetooth
5.0
5.3
Top codec
AAC
LC3
LE Audio (LC3)
No
Yes
ANC type
None
Hybrid

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
No
Yes
USB-C
No
Yes
Wear detection
No
Yes
Transparency mode
No
Yes
Custom EQ
No
Yes
Companion app
No
Yes
Water resistance
Not rated
IPX4

Level on: Wireless charging.

Specifications

AirPods (2nd generation)EAH-AZ100
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$160
$250
HearWiki score
Not scored
86
Released
2019
2025
Availability
Discontinued
Sold new
Driver
dynamic
10 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
-
10 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
-
20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
-
16 Ω
Bluetooth
5.0
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
No
Yes
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
5 h
12 h
Battery life (ANC on)
-
10 h
Battery incl. case
24 h
28 h
Full charge time
-
120 min
Quick charge
-
15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging
Yes
Yes
Active noise cancelling
No
Yes
ANC type
none
hybrid
Transparency mode
No
Yes
Companion app
No
Yes
Custom EQ
No
Yes
Wear detection
No
Yes
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Siri
Yes
Weight
4 g
11.8 g
Case weight
38.2 g
42 g
Water resistance
none
IPX4
USB-C
No
Yes
Microphones
2
2
Microphone type
beamforming
MEMS

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods (2nd generation)

Apple's second-generation AirPods are true wireless earbuds from 2019, offering a secure fit and seamless Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. They deliver up to 5 hours of playback per charge, with 24 hours total via the included wireless charging case, and rely on dual beamforming mics for clear calls, though they lack noise cancellation and water resistance.

  • Pro:Easy pairing and reliable connection with Apple devices
  • Pro:Compact, lightweight design with a comfortable fit
  • Pro:Convenient touch controls and wireless charging case
  • Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
  • Con:Limited to SBC and AAC codecs, no aptX or LDAC
  • Con:No multipoint pairing or companion app for customization

Technics EAH-AZ100

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are premium true wireless earbuds that deliver rich, detailed sound through a 10mm dynamic driver, with support for high-resolution LDAC streaming. They combine effective hybrid active noise cancellation with a comfortable, IPX4-rated design, plus smart features like multipoint pairing and wireless charging for versatile daily use. With up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge, they are built to last through long listening sessions.

  • Pro:Excellent sound quality with LDAC support
  • Pro:Strong hybrid ANC and transparency modes
  • Pro:Long battery life with wireless charging case
  • Con:Premium price point
  • Con:Touch controls may be overly sensitive
  • Con:No aptX codec support

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparisonApple AirPods (2nd generation)Technics EAH-AZ100