JBL Live Beam 4 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

JBL Live Beam 4

82Outstanding

$240

Full review data

True Wireless

Score breakdown

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

Neither pulls ahead overall - they trade wins across the measures.

JBL Live Beam 4
Technics EAH-AZ100

HearWiki score

Sound

9.2

Noise cancelling

7.8

8.6

Battery

9.0

8.7

Calls

6.8

7.8

Value

8.2

8.1

Price (USD)

$240

$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 JBL Live Beam 4 (2024). The JBL Live Beam 4 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 6.0 against 5.3 and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Water resistance IP55 against IPX4.

Live Beam 42024
EAH-AZ10020251 yr newer

What differsLive Beam 4EAH-AZ100

Bluetooth: 6.0; 5.3
ANC type: Adaptive; Hybrid
Water resistance: IP55; IPX4

Level on: Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

Live Beam 4EAH-AZ100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $240; $250
HearWiki score: 82; 86
Released: 2024; 2025
Availability: Discontinued; 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: 20 Hz - 40 kHz; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 16 Ω; 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 98 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 6.0; 5.3
Codecs: -; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Battery life: 12 h; 12 h
Battery life (ANC on): 10 h; 10 h
Battery incl. case: -; 28 h
Full charge time: 120 min; 120 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 4 h; 15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: -; Yes
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Yes; Yes
Weight: 9.7 g; 11.8 g
Case weight: 73 g; 42 g
Water resistance: IP55; IPX4
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 6; 2
Microphone type: beamforming; -
Call noise reduction: Yes; -

Specification comparison of JBL Live Beam 4 vs Technics EAH-AZ100
Spec	JBL Live Beam 4	Technics EAH-AZ100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$240	$250
HearWiki score	82 / 100 Outstanding	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2024	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	20 Hz - 40 kHz	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	16 Ω	16 Ω
Sensitivity	98 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	6.0	5.3
Codecs	-	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Battery
Battery life	12 h	12 h
Battery life (ANC on)	10 h	10 h
Battery incl. case	-	28 h
Full charge time	120 min	120 min
Quick charge	10 min → 4 h	15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	-	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Yes	Yes
Design
Weight	9.7 g	11.8 g
Case weight	73 g	42 g
Water resistance	IP55	IPX4
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	6	2
Microphone type	beamforming	-
Call noise reduction	Yes	-

What reviewers said

JBL Live Beam 4

The JBL Live Beam 4 earbuds deliver robust sound and a comfortable fit, wrapped in a distinctive touchscreen charging case that adds fun and practicality. While they pack a generous feature set with adaptive noise cancelling, solid battery life, and multipoint connectivity, their call clarity and noise cancellation fall short of flagship rivals, and the spatial audio mode is underwhelming. Overall, they're a well-rounded value pick for most listeners, but not the best for those prioritizing top-tier call or ANC performance.

Pro:Excellent sound quality with punchy bass and clear detail
Pro:Comfortable, secure fit for extended wear
Pro:Innovative touchscreen case adds convenience and style

Con:Call quality is mediocre, especially in noisy environments
Con:Noise cancellation is decent but not class-leading
Con:Spatial audio mode sounds artificial and is best avoided

Technics EAH-AZ100

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are high-end true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive noise cancellation with a 10mm dynamic driver for rich sound, supporting LDAC and AAC codecs. They deliver up to 12 hours of playback on a single charge (10 with ANC), extend to 28 hours with the case, and offer multipoint pairing for up to three devices. With IPX4 sweat resistance, wireless charging, and touch controls, they're a versatile premium option.

Pro:Excellent battery life, even with ANC engaged
Pro:Multipoint connectivity for up to three devices
Pro:Supports high-resolution LDAC audio

Con:Premium price point
Con:No ear tips included in the box
Con:Touch controls may take time to master

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

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