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New premium noise-cancelling earbuds don't try to mimic the AirPods Pro (Updated)
- Technics releases two new pairs of true wireless earbuds, one of which is noise-cancelling.
- Both sets of earbuds support IPX4 rating and advanced microphone software with JustMyVoice technology.
- The Technics EAH-AZ60 and EAH-AZ40 will be available in October and retail for $229.99 and $149.99 respectively.
Update: September 29, 2021 (1:00 PM ET): This article was updated to address price updates to the Technics EAH-AZ60 and EAH-AZ40.
Original article: September 28, 2021 (10:00 AM ET): Panasonic subsidiary Technics released two new true-wireless earbuds that target the modern worker who spends much of their time in conference calls. The Technics EAH-AZ60 have active noise cancellation (ANC), and the Technics EAH-AZ40 share a similar design without noise-cancelling. Both earphones feature microphone systems that promise to isolate the speaker’s voice with JustMyVoice technology, even amid background noise.
The EAH-AZ60 are the more premium earbuds with an eight-microphone array, and they use hybrid noise cancellation to actively combat environmental noise. By supporting a few Bluetooth codecs (SBC, AAC, and LDAC), these earphones stand out from the crowd of alternatives that generally only support SBC and AAC.
With noise-cancelling on, the earbuds provide seven hours of playback, and this increases by 30 minutes with ANC off. The case provides an additional 24-25 hours of reserve power depending on how often ANC is enabled. Just 15 minutes in the USB-C case yields anywhere from 70-80 minutes of playback. Technics provides five pairs of silicone ear tips ranging from extra small to extra large, which should accommodate most ears.
The Technics EAH-AZ40 shares many visual similarities with the EAH-AZ60, but the standard model lacks ANC and LDAC support and has a six microphone system. Without the hardware needed for ANC, the EAH-AZ40 is a bit smaller and lighter than its more premium counterpart. The EAH-AZ40 last seven and a half hours, and the USB-C case supplies an extra 25 hours of playback. Technics includes four pairs of ear tips that range from extra small to large.
Both earbuds use Bluetooth 5.2, have a 10m wireless range, and merit an IPX4 rating. The Technics EAH-AZ60 and EAH-AZ40 will be available in October and retail for $229.99 and $149.99 respectively.