Compare Technics EAH-AZ100 Earbuds vs Google Pixel Buds 2a Earbuds

Reviewers overwhelmingly praise the AZ100's sound as clear, detailed, musical, and high-end, though one review found the stock tuning odd.

Reviewers broadly describe the sound as good, clear, and enjoyable for the price, but not audiophile-grade; several call it good-not-great, boring, or merely solid.

Passive isolation is viewed positively when the tips seal well, with reviewers noting isolation even before ANC is active.

Passive isolation is a weak point in the limited evidence, with reviewers citing shallow-nozzle fit and imperfect isolation even when ANC helps overall.

Soundstage depth is usually strong, with reviewers praising depth, immersion, and layering, though one long-term reviewer wanted more depth.

Depth is modest: reviewers describe smaller soundstage scale or wish for more verticality.

Spatial audio is mixed: reviewers appreciate Dolby/head-tracking support, but several find it merely decent, distracting, or less clear than stereo.

Spatial audio is mostly treated as a secondary feature: useful or fine when available, but limited by Pixel-only support or lack of head tracking.

Bass is widely praised for depth, control, punch, and low distortion, with only one review criticizing the default balance as too boomy.

Bass is usually viewed as controlled and punchy without overwhelming the mix, though a few reviewers find it light, overly warm, or too bass-heavy for some genres.

ANC is broadly strong and often near flagship level, though several reviewers say it still falls short of the very best Bose-style silence.

ANC is usually praised as strong for the price and useful for commutes or steady noise, but reviewers repeatedly note it is not top-tier and one review reported an uncomfortable feedback issue.

Soundstage width receives strong praise, with reviewers describing the presentation as spacious, broad, expansive, and room-like.

The soundstage gets modest praise for width, with reviewers calling it decent or very good rather than expansive.

Sound leakage is a weakness in the one scored review, which says loud music can be heard in a quiet room.

Sound leakage receives one negative score because a reviewer says nearby people can clearly hear music at full volume.

Frequency response impressions are mixed: one review calls it strange, while others praise accuracy, balance, and low distortion.

Reviewers tend to hear a balanced or natural tuning, but measurement-focused commentary still notes warmth, consistency limits, and frequency-response quirks.

Video sync is mostly strong, with two reviewers reporting zero or no visible lag, while one notes a slight delay with some codecs.

Audio-video sync receives limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer noticing essentially no latency while streaming video or gaming.

Microphone noise reduction is polarized: several reviewers praise wind and background suppression, while one reports failed clarity and cutouts.

Microphone noise reduction usually handles steady or traffic noise well, though some reviewers still hear wind, voices, or muddiness in tougher environments.

Maximum-volume clarity is praised for staying clean and distortion-free even at high levels.

Maximum-volume clarity is mixed: one reviewer found no mud or distortion, while several others say voices or music get muddy or falter at higher volumes.

Included accessories draw criticism where reviewed because foam tips are missing despite multiple silicone tip sizes.

Included accessories receive positive evidence from the reviewer who praises the four included silicone ear-tip sizes.

Multi-platform compatibility is praised because the app and customization work across iOS and Android.

Multi-platform compatibility receives limited mixed evidence: they can work with iPhone or Galaxy devices, but the best experience is clearly on Pixel.

LDAC is received positively for higher-quality playback and better sound from compatible Android or hi-res sources.

LDAC support is scored negatively because one reviewer discusses the missing LDAC-style high-resolution codec support as a limitation, while downplaying its importance for this tier.

Instrument separation is a standout strength, with reviewers hearing layers, voices, and complex arrangements as distinct and clearly placed.

Only one reviewer gives clear instrument-separation criticism, saying some instruments struggle to find space in the mids.

Touch controls are generally responsive and customizable, though sensitivity and personal preference create some mixed reactions.

Touch controls are one of the most divisive areas: some reviewers praise responsiveness, but many criticize missing volume gestures, locked-down customization, or unreliable taps.

Preset EQ quality is mostly positive, especially Direct, Dynamic, and Treble+ modes, though SuperBass+ is too heavy for one reviewer.

Preset EQ evidence is mixed: one reviewer says presets failed to solve the high-volume issue, while another praised the available preset selection.

Midrange and vocals are generally described as clear, detailed, warm, and more forward than the previous model.

Vocals and mids are often praised as clear, but several reviews note recessed, subdued, or crowded mids that keep the presentation from sounding fully refined.

Treble is usually considered clear, airy, detailed, and non-harsh, though one review says the default tuning lacks high-end content.

Treble is generally described as crisp or clean, but reviewers also flag weird highs, overcooked sparkle, and occasional harsh behavior in busy high-frequency tracks.

Stability is mixed: several reviewers found the fit secure, while others would not trust it for vigorous movement.

Stability is usually strong, with reviewers saying the buds stay put during movement, exercise, or long use, though one review feels they are less secure than some rivals.

Android compatibility is praised for LDAC, fast pairing, and strong ANC value with Android phones.

Android/Pixel compatibility is a major strength for Pixel users, but reviewers also warn that some of the best features are locked to Pixel or Android.

aptX support is a weakness because one reviewer specifically wished Qualcomm aptX codecs were included.

aptX support is scored negatively because the clearest opinionated codec evidence criticizes the lack of aptX Lossless and Adaptive compared with rivals.

Water and sweat resistance is adequate for workouts or rain, but one reviewer cautions against heavier rain exposure.

Water and sweat resistance is viewed positively for workouts, rain, and outdoor use, though one reviewer calls the rating basic rather than exceptional.

Find My support is useful for peace of mind, though one reviewer is disappointed by the location behavior.

Find Hub/Find My functionality is considered a useful addition for locating misplaced buds.

Transparency mode is mixed: some find it natural or useful, while others hear hiss, over-processing, or weaker situational awareness.

Transparency mode is split: some reviewers say it works well for conversation or surroundings, while others call it weak, unnatural, or easily overwhelmed by background noise.

Case quality is mixed: it is compact and pocketable, but multiple reviewers criticize weak magnets, rattle, scratches, or bland styling.

Carry case quality is mixed: reviewers like the small matte pebble case and build, but several criticize limited reserve battery, easy bud ejection, or confusing insertion.

Portability is strong because the case is repeatedly described as pocketable, small, and easy to carry.

Portability is praised through the small case and pocket-friendly design.

Independent left/right earbud use is praised as convenient and useful when scored.

Left/right bud handling is weak in the limited evidence because reviewers complain about not instantly knowing placement or putting buds in the case the wrong way.

Build quality is praised as premium, tactile, mature, and a substantial step forward.

Build quality is generally solid for the price, though one reviewer says the buds look and feel cheaper than the Pro model.

Comfort trends positive thanks to smaller, lighter ergonomics, but fit fatigue and bulk remain concerns for some ears.

Comfort is one of the strongest points, with many reviewers calling the buds comfortable for long sessions and praising the small, stemless design.

Eartip fit is generally good with the right size, but some reviewers report looseness, bulk, or falling out.

Fit is generally strong and secure when the right tips are used, but some reviewers struggle with included tips, seal consistency, or right-ear fit.

Weight comfort is praised because the earbuds feel better distributed, light, and easier to forget during use.

Weight comfort receives limited but strong praise, with one reviewer saying the balanced weight never feels burdensome.

Design and aesthetics are generally praised as premium, sleek, compact, or classy, though a few reviewers find the look plain.

Design is a clear strength, with reviewers praising the smooth, small, cute, stemless, and Pixel-like look.

Ear tip options are considered useful and generous, especially for finding the right fit across ear sizes.

Ear-tip options are praised because several reviewers highlight four sizes and better chances of finding a proper fit.

Bluetooth reliability is consistently praised, with reviewers reporting stable connections and no meaningful dropouts.

Bluetooth reliability evidence is limited and mixed, ranging from mostly issue-free use to isolated cutouts or preproduction multipoint quirks.

EQ customization is a clear strength, with many reviewers praising the eight-band control and meaningful tuning options.

EQ customization is useful and often praised, but reviewers also call it simple, locked down, vaguely labeled, or insufficient for fixing every sound issue.

Setup and software simplicity are mostly positive, but the lack of a physical pairing button adds friction for one reviewer.

Setup and software simplicity are usually praised for quick pairing, integrated settings, and clear controls.

Voice assistant integration is limited in coverage but works reliably where tested or described.

Gemini and voice-assistant integration are consistently useful for Pixel/Android users, though some reviewers find the wake phrase or Gemini Live behavior imperfect.

The app is mostly praised for useful controls, customization, stability, and EQ access, despite some complaints about layout.

The app and settings experience is generally praised as simple and powerful, especially on Pixel phones, though one review complains about iPhone uncertainty and integrated settings complexity.

Call quality is mixed, ranging from serviceable or excellent in some reviews to choppy, robotic, or poor in others.

Call quality is generally usable to good, with several reviewers praising clear voices, but others note it trails the Pro model or suffers in noisy conditions.

Charging is viewed positively where evaluated, especially wireless charging and case convenience.

Charging is mixed: USB-C and quick top-ups help, but reviewers repeatedly criticize the lack of wireless charging and smaller case reserves.

Battery life is consistently a strength, with reviewers praising long ANC runtime and major improvement over the AZ80.

Earbud battery life is usually considered good or adequate, but case reserve is repeatedly described as more limited or less impressive than some rivals.

Codec support is praised for LDAC/LC3 breadth, but the absence of aptX is called a mild limitation.

Codec support is a recurring limitation: reviewers accept SBC/AAC for most users but criticize the lack of higher-bitrate or high-res options.

Multipoint is a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly praising reliable switching and three-device connectivity.

Multipoint and audio switching are usually considered useful and reliable, though one reviewer noted occasional delays and another tied early issues to preproduction firmware.

Value is mixed-to-positive: reviewers like the premium feature set and sound, but several note the high price and strong competition.

Value is generally positive, especially for Pixel users or sale pricing, though some reviewers say competition or discounted Pro models weaken the $129 value case.

AI translation receives limited mixed evidence: it exists and can help, but the reviewer says it needs slow casual conversation and cannot handle fast media-like speech.

Hi-res playback is praised in the one scored review, where LDAC/FLAC listening brought more detail, solidity, and space.

Head gestures are scored negatively because Engadget calls their absence a potential dealbreaker compared with the Pro model.

Sensors receive limited positive evidence from in-ear auto-pause/play behavior.

Smudge resistance is praised through the matte finish hiding fingerprints or smudges.

USB-C receives limited positive evidence because one reviewer specifically calls USB-C charging nice.

Volume output is praised as top-tier and very loud in the reviews that discuss it.

Auracast support is a concern in one scored review because the reviewer criticizes its absence.

Control remapping is praised as unusually flexible and useful across the app and earbuds.

Lossless audio support is scored negatively because the strongest evidence says Android users are left without a high-res option.

Sustainability and repairability get repeated praise for the replaceable charging-case battery and recycled-material mentions.