Is the Technics EAH-AZ100 worth the upgrade from the Jabra Elite 8 Active?
Verdict
Clear upgrade
Going from the Jabra Elite 8 Active to the Technics EAH-AZ100 buys you 11.1 points of HearWiki score - a clear step up that reviewers agree on rather than a marketing refresh. 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 $9 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. If your current pair is worn out or the gains line up with how you listen, this one is worth the money.
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.