Is the Sony WF-1000XM5 worth the upgrade from the Technics EAH-AZ40?
Verdict
Clear upgrade
Going from the Technics EAH-AZ40 to the Sony WF-1000XM5 buys you 20.0 points of HearWiki score - a clear step up that reviewers agree on rather than a marketing refresh. The gains are concentrated in sound (7.0 to 9.0), battery (7.0 to 8.0) and calls (7.0 to 8.0). On paper: battery life 7.5 h to 12 h, codecs SBC, AAC to SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 and bluetooth 5.2 to 5.3. Worth checking: weight goes 5 g to 11.8 g and case weight goes 30 g to 39 g. That costs $120 more, or about $6 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.
- Sound7.09.0
- Battery7.08.0
- Calls7.08.0
- Value7.07.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | EAH-AZ40 | WF-1000XM5 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 7.5 h | 12 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | |
| Weight | 5 g | 11.8 g | |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
| Full charge time | 120 min | 90 min | |
| Driver size | 6 mm | 8.4 mm | |
| Microphones | 1 | 6 | |
| Case weight | 30 g | 39 g | |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes | |
| Companion app | No | Yes | |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes | |
| Wear detection | No | Yes | |
| ANC type | none | hybrid | |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 90 min | 5 min = 1 h | |
| Driver | 6mm | 0.33" | |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "EAH-AZ40 to WF-1000XM5". 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.