Beyerdynamic Free BYRD vs Technics EAH-AZ100: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Technics EAH-AZ100 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Technics EAH-AZ100 - Outstanding overall at around $250.

True Wireless

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.

Beyerdynamic Free BYRD
Technics EAH-AZ100

HearWiki score

Sound

7.0

9.2

Noise cancelling

6.2

8.6

Battery

7.7

8.7

Calls

6.2

7.8

Value

8.1

Price (USD)

$210

$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 Beyerdynamic Free BYRD (2022). The Technics EAH-AZ100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2, Top codec LC3 against aptX Adaptive and LE Audio (LC3). It also adds Multipoint pairing.

Free BYRD2022
EAH-AZ10020253 yr newer

What differsFree BYRDEAH-AZ100

Bluetooth: 5.2; 5.3
Top codec: aptX Adaptive; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes

Level on: ANC type, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app, Water resistance.

Specifications

Free BYRDEAH-AZ100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $210; $250
HearWiki score: 63; 86
Released: 2022; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 10 mm dynamic; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 22 kHz; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: -; 16 Ω
Bluetooth: 5.2; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wireless range: 10 m; 10 m
Battery life: 11 h; 12 h
Battery life (ANC on): 8.5 h; 10 h
Battery incl. case: 30 h; 28 h
Full charge time: -; 120 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 1.2 h; 15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: hybrid; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; Yes
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Alexa, Siri; Yes
Weight: 7 g; 11.8 g
Case weight: 60 g; 42 g
Water resistance: IPX4; IPX4
Detachable cable: No; -
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Model code: 728926; -
Microphones: 2; 2
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: cVc; -

Specification comparison of Beyerdynamic Free BYRD vs Technics EAH-AZ100
Spec	Beyerdynamic Free BYRD	Technics EAH-AZ100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$210	$250
HearWiki score	63 / 100 Good	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2022	2025
Audio
Driver	10 mm dynamic	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	10 Hz - 22 kHz	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	-	16 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.2	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Wireless range	10 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	11 h	12 h
Battery life (ANC on)	8.5 h	10 h
Battery incl. case	30 h	28 h
Full charge time	-	120 min
Quick charge	10 min → 1.2 h	15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	hybrid	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Alexa, Siri	Yes
Design
Weight	7 g	11.8 g
Case weight	60 g	42 g
Water resistance	IPX4	IPX4
Detachable cable	No	-
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Model code	728926	-
Calls
Microphones	2	2
Microphone type	-	MEMS
Call noise reduction	Yes	-
Call NR technology	cVc	-

What reviewers said

Beyerdynamic Free BYRD

The Beyerdynamic Free BYRD are premium true-wireless earbuds that combine solid audio performance with a robust feature set, including hybrid ANC, transparency mode, and aptX Adaptive support. They offer competitive battery life, with over eight hours of playback on a single charge and convenient wireless charging, though their larger case and lack of multipoint connectivity are notable trade-offs.

Pro:Strong sound quality with 10mm dynamic drivers
Pro:Hybrid ANC and transparency mode for versatile listening
Pro:Long battery life (up to 11 hours, 8.5 with ANC) and wireless charging case

Con:Bulky charging case compared to some rivals
Con:No multipoint connection for simultaneous device pairing
Con:Adequate but not exceptional battery life in real-world use

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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