JBL Live Flex 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.

JBL Live Flex
Technics EAH-AZ100

HearWiki score

Sound

8.0

9.2

Noise cancelling

4.5

8.6

Battery

7.5

8.7

Calls

7.0

7.8

Value

6.2

8.1

Price (USD)

$180

$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?

Half a step newer

Technics EAH-AZ100 (2025) against JBL Live Flex (2023). The JBL Live Flex edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Water resistance IP54 against IPX4.

Live Flex2023
EAH-AZ10020252 yr newer

What differsLive FlexEAH-AZ100

ANC type: Adaptive; Hybrid
Water resistance: IP54; IPX4

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

Specifications

Live FlexEAH-AZ100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $180; $250
HearWiki score: 63; 86
Released: 2023; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 12 mm driver; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: -; dynamic
Driver size: 12 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: -; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω; 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 101 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.3
Codecs: -; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: -; Yes
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 40 h; 12 h
Battery life (ANC on): 6 h; 10 h
Battery incl. case: -; 28 h
Full charge time: 120 min; 120 min
Quick charge: 15 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: 10.4 g; 11.8 g
Case weight: 52 g; 42 g
Water resistance: IP54; IPX4
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 6; 2
Microphone type: beamforming; MEMS
Call noise reduction: Yes; -

Specification comparison of JBL Live Flex vs Technics EAH-AZ100
Spec	JBL Live Flex	Technics EAH-AZ100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$180	$250
HearWiki score	63 / 100 Good	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2023	2025
Audio
Driver	12 mm driver	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	-	dynamic
Driver size	12 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	-	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	32 Ω	16 Ω
Sensitivity	101 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
Codecs	-	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	-	Yes
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	40 h	12 h
Battery life (ANC on)	6 h	10 h
Battery incl. case	-	28 h
Full charge time	120 min	120 min
Quick charge	15 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	10.4 g	11.8 g
Case weight	52 g	42 g
Water resistance	IP54	IPX4
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	6	2
Microphone type	beamforming	MEMS
Call noise reduction	Yes	-

What reviewers said

JBL Live Flex

The JBL Live Flex are half-open true wireless earbuds that prioritize comfort and a sleek design, backed by a sturdy feature set including adaptive noise cancellation, wireless charging, and a robust companion app. While they deliver solid battery life and customizable sound, their open-back nature means ANC and bass response are less effective than sealed alternatives, making them a niche pick for those who dislike in-ear plugs. Overall, they offer good value for everyday use but may not satisfy those seeking top-tier isolation or audiophile-grade tuning.

Pro:Comfortable half-open design that suits all-day wear
Pro:Long battery life with wireless charging case
Pro:Adaptive ANC and transparency mode for flexibility

Con:ANC is less effective due to open design
Con:Bass response is compromised compared to sealed earbuds
Con:Fit can be inconsistent for some ear shapes

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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