Is the Sony WF-1000XM5 worth the upgrade from the Technics EAH-AZ60?
Verdict
Meaningful upgrade
The Sony WF-1000XM5 scores 6.0 points above the Technics EAH-AZ60. That's a real improvement, though not the kind you'd notice on every track. The gains are concentrated in battery (6.5 to 8.0), noise cancelling (8.0 to 9.0) and sound (8.5 to 9.0). You do give up ground on value (7.5 to 7.0). On paper: battery life 7.5 h to 12 h, codecs SBC, AAC, LDAC to SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 and bluetooth 5.2 to 5.3. That costs $45 more, or about $8 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.
- Sound8.59.0
- Noise cancelling8.09.0
- Battery6.58.0
- Calls7.58.0
- Value7.57.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | EAH-AZ60 | WF-1000XM5 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 7.5 h | 12 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 7 h | 8 h | |
| Full charge time | 120 min | 90 min | |
| Microphones | 4 | 6 | |
| Case weight | 45 g | 39 g | |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
| Wear detection | No | Yes | |
| Quick charge | 15 min = 70 min | 5 min = 1 h | |
| Driver | 8 mm | 0.33" | |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20000Hz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "EAH-AZ60 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.