Is the Technics EAH-AZ100 worth the upgrade from the Jabra Elite 8 Active?
Verdict
Meaningful upgrade
The Technics EAH-AZ100 scores 7.4 points above the Jabra Elite 8 Active. That's a real improvement, though not the kind you'd notice on every track. The gains are concentrated in value (6.2 to 8.1), sound (7.8 to 9.2) and noise cancelling (7.2 to 8.6). On paper: codecs SBC, AAC to SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC, battery life (anc on) 8 h to 10 h and driver size 6 mm to 10 mm. Worth checking: battery life goes 14 h to 12 h and battery incl. case goes 56 h to 28 h. That costs $99 more, or about $13 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. Worth doing if you're replacing anyway; harder to justify as a pure upgrade if what you have still works.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound7.89.2
- Noise cancelling7.28.6
- Battery8.28.7
- Calls7.37.8
- Value6.28.1
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Elite 8 Active | EAH-AZ100 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 14 h | 12 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC | |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IPX4 | |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 8 h | 10 h | |
| Battery incl. case | 56 h | 28 h | |
| Driver size | 6 mm | 10 mm | |
| Microphones | 6 | 2 | |
| Wear detection | No | Yes | |
| ANC type | feedforward | hybrid | |
| Quick charge | 5 min → 1 h | 15 min → 1.2 h | |
| Driver | 6 mm dynamic | 10 mm dynamic | |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz | 20 Hz - 40 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Elite 8 Active to EAH-AZ100". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.