Technics EAH-AZ40M2

Comfort and handling of the Technics EAH-AZ40M2

At just five grams these light in-ears fit quite inconspicuously and comfortably in the ears. There should, therefore, be no unpleasant pressure discomfort even if you’re wearing a cap or hat.

The Technics EAH-AZ40M2’s charging case, available in black, silver and rose gold, is also smaller and lighter (approx. 35 grams) than that of larger Technics in-ears.

This results in a low-performance runtime, which with the Hi-Res codec LDAC (ANC off) is given as approx. 4 hours. With the Bluetooth codec AAC, a maximum of 7 hours is possible; the case by itself can then extend the playing time by up to another 17 hours – depending on the codec and functions that are activated. This puts the Technics EAH-AZ40M2 in the midrange. The case can only be charged via USB-C cable; there is no option for wireless charging via Qi.

Bluetooth functions

When it comes to Bluetooth technology, the Technics EAH-AZ40M2 are in a cutting-edge position: Via Bluetooth version 5.3, they transmit with the codecs SBC, AAC and via LDAC with a data rate of 990 Kbit/s at 96kHz. When using the Hi-Res codec, however, you have to put up with limitations for multipoint functionality (max. 3 devices). This is a system-inherent limitation that can also be found in larger Technics models. The AZ-40M2s do not have an auto-pause feature, something that is standard even with the cheaper competition, such as the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC by Anker.

In practice, it becomes apparent the range in open space was optimal at more than 30 metres and in closed rooms, there were no drop-outs, including when changing floors and through several walls.

Technics Audio Connect App

With the tried-and-tested Technics Audio Connect App (iOS, Android), the Technics EAH-AZ40M2 can be customised in detail within the realms of their own possibilities: Five pre-sets are available for selection in the “Sound” menu, and a 5-band custom EQ with +/- 10dB controls adjusts the sound according to your wishes. Other features such as activating the single-stage ANC, the transparency mode, automatic switch-off in silence or configuration of the touch sensors are included. You can also switch the noise suppression for the microphones through two levels of intensity, and there is a headphone-finding function here as well. However, the Technics EAH-AZ40M2 do not offer an individual listening test with an ear-adapted sound curve.

However, overall, the app for use with these headphones offers a lot of features and leaves nothing to be desired.

How do the Technics EAH-AZ40M2 sound?

In our listening tests, the Technics EAH-AZ40M2 impressed us with a clear tuning but lacked pressure in the bass range – this was noticeable in the small dynamic 6 mm drivers. You can help this out with the equaliser pre-sets “Bass+” or “Super Bass+”, but don’t expect miracles: if you want a fat bass, you might be disappointed. Although the bass range resolved cleanly – bass drums and instruments remained tonally comprehensible – modern electronic productions and current chart material sounded very sober and, therefore, somewhat less rousing.

Clear mids and highs were a big plus and reproduced details of a mix nicely without demonstrating too much sharpness or cutting into the ears.

In dense, dynamically played arrangements, the individual instruments could be clearly located in depth and width, but for me, the depth gradation seemed too compact.

Telephony, noise cancelling & transparency mode

The clarity and quality of the larger Technics EAH-AZ60M2 and EAH-AZ80 are not achieved by the EAH-AZ40M2 during phone calls. The manufacturer’s JustMyVoice technology is not included in these earphones, and this would ensure very good speech intelligibility in combination with voice recognition microphones. As a result, we struggled with interference during phone calls, and the ambient noise cancellation was, at best, pretty standard.

The same applied to noise cancelling (ANC), which worked mainly in the low-frequency range. Music played two rooms away from the small speakers of an iPhone was still audible from the middle of the mid-range onwards. By comparison, the Technics EAH-AZ60M2 and EAH-AZ80 provided silence in the same scenario.

The transparency mode (here: “Ambient Sound”) didn’t distort the incoming sounds of the outside world much and so sounded quite natural. However, you will have to put up with increased background noise when playing quiet passages of music. The option to switch the ambient mode from “Transparent” to “Attention” should be mentioned. Here, voices were somewhat emphasised, and this increased speech intelligibility.

Conclusion

The Technics EAH-AZ40M2 are available for a suggested price of 149 euros and, in terms of both sound and noise cancelling, they don’t really make a mark compared to competitors in this price range such as Soundcore or Jabra. These True Wireless in-ears play nicely in the mids and highs, but you have to put up with limitations in the bass range. The app connection, however, was a success, as was the small, compact charging case and the state-of-the-art Bluetooth technology, including the use of the high-resolution LDAC codec.

If you are looking for ultra-light brand-name headphones that you can forget are in your ears, and you want a transparent, clear sound experience, then you may have found the headphones for you with these. On the other hand, if you want a warm and more bass-heavy tuning, you will either have to upgrade to the Technics EAH-AZ60M2 or even the EAH-AZ80 or, indeed, try looking elsewhere.