
Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Technics EAH-AZ60: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM5 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Sony WF-1000XM5 | Technics EAH-AZ60 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $250 | $200 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 82 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2023 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 0.33" | 8 mm |
| Driver size | 8.4 mm | 8 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz | 20Hz-20000Hz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 12 h | 7.5 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 8 h | 7 h |
| Battery incl. case | 24 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | 90 min | 120 min |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 1 h | 15 min = 70 min |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | hybrid | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | No |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Yes | Google Assistant, Alexa built-in |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 11.8 g | 7 g |
| Case weight | 39 g | 45 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | 4 |
| Call noise reduction | - | beamforming noise reduction |
What reviewers said
Sony WF-1000XM5
These are high-end true wireless earbuds that focus on adaptive noise cancellation and detailed audio, supporting LDAC for high-resolution streaming. They offer a solid battery life of up to 12 hours without ANC, plus a comfortable fit and IPX4 sweat resistance for daily use. The touch controls and companion app add convenience, though the price reflects their premium status.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Long battery life (12 hours without ANC)
- Pro:Supports LDAC and AAC codecs
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:No higher water resistance rating than IPX4
- Con:Touch controls may take time to master
Technics EAH-AZ60
The Technics EAH-AZ60 are a polished pair of true wireless earbuds that prioritize accurate, balanced sound and effective hybrid noise cancellation. They offer a comfortable fit, solid build, and a handy app with EQ and multipoint support, though they miss a few extras like auto-pause and wireless charging. Overall, they're a strong premium pick for those who value core audio performance over flashy features.
- Pro:Accurate, well-balanced sound with LDAC support
- Pro:Effective hybrid ANC with adjustable levels
- Pro:Comfortable, secure fit with compact design
- Con:No auto-pause when removing earbuds
- Con:Lacks aptX codec and wireless charging
- Con:Feature set not as complete as some rivals
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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