Technics EAH-AZ80: Best AirPods Pro alternative yet?

Panasonic’s premium audio brand Technics is no stranger to innovation. They were a part of one of the most profound cultural shifts in the music industry when early hip-hop was founded in New York City. Their SL-1100 turntable was used by one of hip hop’s founders, DJ Kool Herc, and the game-changing SL-1200 direct drive turntable was the weapon of choice for DJs like Afrika Bambataa as turntablism was invented. 

That turntable was in heavy rotation with the world’s top DJs for decades. Over the years, Technics has engineered all manner of high-end sound equipment, from floor speakers to preamps and amps, to receivers, CD players, and more. With this pedigree in mind, I was more than interested in checking out Technics’ new EAH-AZ80 Hi-Fi true wireless earbuds. And with their 3-device multipoint connection, the most poignant question I needed to answer was, “Are these AirPods Pro killers?” Read on to find out!

Introduction to the Technics EAH-AZ80

Unlike the internet’s Alpha Males, or consumer products that yell “Pro” at you in their marketing messaging, Technics AZ80 quietly arrived on the scene with qualities that live up to the hype. Or, in this case, the lack thereof. They do, in their marketing, push an industry first in truly wireless earbuds which is the ability to be simultaneously connected to three devices at once. A feature I’ll get into in a bit. But that’s just the hook and once you bite, you find they have so much more to offer.