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

85Outstanding

$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: 85; 86
Released: 2024; 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: 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
Wireless range: -; 10 m
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; MEMS
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	85 / 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
Wireless range	-	10 m
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	MEMS
Call noise reduction	Yes	-

What reviewers said

JBL Live Beam 4

The JBL Live Beam 4 are feature-packed wireless earbuds that deliver lively, well-balanced sound and a snug, secure fit, all wrapped up in a distinctive charging case with a built-in touchscreen for quick control. While they boast long battery life, adaptive noise cancellation, and multipoint connectivity, their call clarity and noise suppression aren't class-leading, and the spatial audio implementation falls short of expectations. Still, for the price, they offer a compelling mix of versatility and performance for everyday listening.

Pro:Excellent sound quality with punchy bass and clear highs
Pro:Comfortable, secure fit for extended wear
Pro:Innovative touchscreen case adds convenient control

Con:Call quality is mediocre in noisy environments
Con:Adaptive noise cancellation is not the strongest in its class
Con:Spatial audio mode sounds artificial and lessens immersion

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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