Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ80 review: stunning ANC earbuds change the game

We have an AirPods killer, everyone.

Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds sitting on a desk
(Image: © Future / Erlingur Einarsson)

Our Verdict

The Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ80 feel like a paradigm shift in the earbuds world. With these new noise-cancelling buds, the sound quality is truly equivalent to top-spec over-ear headphones, the ANC is supremely effective without creating a blocked-ears effect, and thanks to great mics and the best voice-isolation tech I've ever experienced, making hands-free phone calls, even in a loud, bustling setting, now sounds clear for both you and the person on the other end. And they're even more comfortable to wear than any buds I've ever used before.

For

  • Studio-quality sound
  • Comfortable fit
  • Great ANC and voice isolation

Against

  • Very expensive

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Technics EAH-AZ80: Key specs

Driver unit: 10mm
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz (LDAC 96 kHz/990 kbps)
Mic: Monaural, MEMS Mic
Playback time with battery: Approx. 7.0 hours (NC ON),
Approx. 7.5 hours (NC OFF)
Charging time: Case: 2.5 hours; Earbuds: 2.0 hours
Dimensions: Earbude: Approx. 22 x 27 x 24mm; Charging case: Approx. 69 x 36 x 29mm
Weight: Earbuds: 2x7g; Charging case: 50g
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, multi-point (up to 3 simultaneous), multi-pairing (up to 10)
Noise cancellation: Dual hybrid

When I received a sample of Panasonic's Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds to test ahead of its launch, I was apprehensive. Not because of trust issues with Panasonic or Technics, but rather issues with... my ears.

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The Verdict
9.5

out of 10

Technics EAH-AZ80

The Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ80 feel like a paradigm shift in the earbuds world. With these new noise-cancelling buds, the sound quality is truly equivalent to top-spec over-ear headphones, the ANC is supremely effective without creating a blocked-ears effect, and thanks to great mics and the best voice-isolation tech I've ever experienced, making hands-free phone calls, even in a loud, bustling setting, now sounds clear for both you and the person on the other end. And they're even more comfortable to wear than any buds I've ever used before.

Erlingur Einarsson
Tech Reviews Editor

Erlingur is the Tech Reviews Editor on Creative Bloq. Having worked on magazines devoted to Photoshop, films, history, and science for over 15 years, as well as working on Digital Camera World and Top Ten Reviews in more recent times, Erlingur has developed a passion for finding tech that helps people do their job, whatever it may be. He loves putting things to the test and seeing if they're all hyped up to be, to make sure people are getting what they're promised. Still can't get his wifi-only printer to connect to his computer. 

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