Technics EAH-AZ60M2 review: Awkward middle child

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The Technics EAH-AZ60M2 are an excellent pair of true wireless headphones that are only really let down by their position in Technics’ own range.

The addition of wireless charging and 3-way multipoint connection feels like a slight improvement over the original AZ60 headphones, which first launched in 2021, while the slightly more expensive AZ80 headphones are much better.

Still, if you can stomach the $249 / £199 price tag, it’s worth considering: excellent audio quality, good noise cancellation and a decent set of smart features make these AirPods and other worthy rivals , although they’re not quite on par with Technics’ top model.

Design and build

• Lightweight plastic construction
• IPX4 water resistance
• Choice of seven ear tip sizes

I may have been spoiled reviewing the AZ60M2 right after testing the more expensive AZ80 model, which makes it hard for me not to compare the two.

It’s probably because of this that the first thing I noticed about the AZ60M2 heads is their lightness, almost fragile. The buds here actually weigh the same as the more premium pair (although the charging case is a good 5g lighter), but both are constructed from a slightly cheaper plastic.

The shape of the buds is also different, and – to my ears at least – less comfortable. After about an hour of listening, the AZ60M2s start to press against my ears, so they’re not ideal for longer listening, although everyone’s ears are different, of course.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

They look good though. Available in blue (pictured), black or white, they’re simply designed but attractive enough. They hardly attract attention, but they don’t try to be, and the compact shape won’t pop out of your ears much.

Luckily, they also retain the best aspects of the more expensive buds. The first is the choice to include seven impressive sets of silicone tips in different sizes, which means you’re almost guaranteed to find a fit for your ears that at least ensures the buds fit snugly and block noise well. outside.

There’s also an IPX4 rating, which means the buds (but not the case) can withstand rain, sweat and other liquid splashes – although they’re not durable enough for a dip in swimming pool.

The case is a bit large, but can still slip into a jeans pocket or purse if needed. It’s lightweight, and the lid and hinge are a little flimsy, but the buds drop cleanly and feel held securely in place by the magnetic charging pins.

Specifications and sound

• Same 8mm drivers as the previous generation
• Hi-Res Audio support with LDAC
• Good noise cancellation

The first thing to know about the AZ60M2 sounds is that if you own the older pair – or can find them cheap – then these use the exact same 8mm drivers, so the audio overall is largely unchanged.

That’s really not a bad thing, because the buds sound great. They deliver a rich, open soundscape with an impressive range. The bass is solid, and only occasionally do you get a bit of midrange jamming in acoustic dishes like Joanne Robertson.

It helps that you can use the accompanying Audio Connect app (more on that in a moment) to adjust the headphones’ EQ settings. Technics includes a selection of presets, but you also have the freedom to customize the five-band EQ to your liking.

The buds also support Hi-Res Audio using the LDAC codec, although you must have compatible files (or a supported streaming service) to enjoy it, and it doesn’t work at all. on iPhones (blame Apple for that one).

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Then there’s active noise cancellation (ANC). It’s fine, but definitely not the best in its class. Most outside interference is blocked, but it can’t withstand the rigors of the London Underground or other particularly noisy environments.

What at least helps is that with this extra-wide range of ear tips, you’re more likely to find a set that blocks outside noise well, so basic physical noise reduction is better than ‘elsewhere.

There’s also an Ambient Mode, which uses the headphones’ microphones to amplify outside noise so you feel like you’re not wearing headphones at all – perfect when you need to hear what’s around you or to hold a conversation.

One of the other small tweaks to the first-gen model is that Technics has improved its noise-canceling and voice-isolating technology for calls. Call quality in noisy environments is better here than on most other buds, making it a solid choice for remote workers who may need to take calls or meetings on the go.

Smart functions and app

• Clumsy but comprehensive app
• Connect to three devices at once
• Fully customizable controls

The AZ60M2’s smart features are handled by the aforementioned Audio Connect app, available on iOS and Android.

It’s not the prettiest app in the world, and the layout can be a bit confusing, but it has plenty of options. You can adjust the intensity of ANC and ambient modes, tweak your equalizer, or do a quick ‘JustMyVoice’ technology test to check your sound clarity if you’re on a call.

Best of all is the ability to fully customize the touch controls of the earphones, with unique options for each earphone and for single, dual, triple and long touches, giving you eight control options in total.

You can also use the app to set a voice assistant – Amazon’s Alexa is built-in (although disabled by default), but you can use your phone’s assistant through the buds if you prefer.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Cleverly, the AZ60M2s are also capable of connecting up to three devices simultaneously, so there’s no need to switch between (say) your phone, laptop, and Switch console, as the headphones dynamically manage audio from each at the same time.

This three-way multipoint connection is pretty much unique to Technics right now, but it does come with a caveat: Due to bandwidth limitations, you can’t activate three devices. And use the LDAC codec. If you want hi-res audio, you’ll have to stick with two devices at once.

It should also be noted that I had strangely slow connectivity over the Bluetooth of the buds. Once connected they are rock solid, but it takes up to 30 seconds for the headphones to fully connect to my phone every time I take them out of the case, which is a slight irritation.

The only things really missing are dynamic features that react to your use. Although the music stops when you remove a bud from your ear, they can’t do smarter things like turn on ambient mode when you start talking to someone, or adapt the ANC to only mute certain sounds while leaving others audible.

Battery charging

• Great autonomy of several days
• Wireless charging

If there’s one area where the AZ60M2 buds unequivocally match the more expensive AZ80 option, it’s on battery power.

These have exactly the same battery life as the others despite the tweaked tech, with Technics promising you can get seven hours on a single charge while using ANC but not LDAC, with a full 24 hours including the case.

Disabling ANC extends this a bit further, while using LDAC Hi-Res will shorten it. Anyway, battery life is great, and it’s been backed up by my experience – using the buds for a few hours a day, I spent over a week before I had to worry about charging the case.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

If you’re using an Android phone, it will also easily show the battery level for the buds and case in the OS, taking the guesswork out.

Charging is also excellent, with USB-C and a new wireless option, so it’s always convenient to top them up.

Pricing & Availability

The EAH-AZ60M2s are available now for $249 / £199 on Amazon and elsewhere.

That’s the same price the original AZ60 headphones launched at, although there’s no doubt they’ll now be available at a lower price while supplies last.

He contrasts them with the Sony WF-1000XM4, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and AirPods Pro 2 models – but, perhaps more pertinently, Technics own AZ80.

At $299 / £259 that’s a relatively small price increase, but the jump is justified: audio quality is improved, as is the comfort of the fit and overall build quality.

Check out our full ranking of the best true wireless headphones for more options.

Verdict

The AZ60M2 headphones are a decent option that only suffers from their place in a crowded market – and Technics’ own range.

The buds offer good audio quality and impressive connectivity (if slow to connect) and smart features, and are only really let down by a cheap feel and slightly uncomfortable fit.

The problem is just that the AZ80 offers a better overall experience for not too much more, while older AZ60 models don’t miss much and are likely to get much cheaper soon.

The AZ60M2 headphones sound great, but end up getting a bit lost in the mix.

Specifications

• 8mm Bio-Cellulose Drivers
• SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Active noise cancellation (ANC)
• Up to 7 hours of battery with ANC
• Up to 24 hours of total battery life with ANC
• Wired (USB-C) and wireless charging
• 3-way multipoint pairing
• IPX4 rating
• 7 sets of ear tips
• Charging case 73mm x 38mm x 28mm
• 7g per earphone
• 45g charging case