Is the Technics EAH-AZ40 worth the upgrade from the Sony WF-1000XM5?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Technics EAH-AZ40 actually scores 20.0 points below the Sony WF-1000XM5, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on sound (9.0 to 7.0) and battery (8.0 to 7.0). On paper: weight 11.8 g to 5 g and case weight 39 g to 30 g. Worth checking: battery life goes 12 h to 7.5 h and codecs goes SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 to SBC, AAC. It is at least $120 cheaper, so the lower score comes with a saving. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound9.07.0
- Battery8.07.0
- Calls8.07.0
- Value7.07.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | WF-1000XM5 | EAH-AZ40 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 12 h | 7.5 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC | |
| Weight | 11.8 g | 5 g | |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
| Full charge time | 90 min | 120 min | |
| Driver size | 8.4 mm | 6 mm | |
| Microphones | 6 | 1 | |
| Case weight | 39 g | 30 g | |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
| Transparency mode | Yes | No | |
| Companion app | Yes | No | |
| Custom EQ | Yes | No | |
| Wear detection | Yes | No | |
| ANC type | hybrid | none | |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 1 h | 10 min = 90 min | |
| Driver | 0.33" | 6mm | |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz | 20Hz-20kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "WF-1000XM5 to EAH-AZ40". 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.