With the EAH-AZ100 true wireless device, Technics has finally scored the long-awaited big win in the wireless headphone market. I gave it five stars, but it was loved everywhere else, won awards, and got good reviews from customers.
Now launching the EAH-A1000, Technics aims to do the same with its on-ear headphones. I’ve appreciated its previous efforts – I love the F70N and A800 – but rather than being a Sony and Bose impersonator, expectations have changed since the AZ100’s true wireless.
I’ve been reviewing the Technics EAH-A1000 for the past week or so, and while this isn’t my firm thoughts on the review, these are my impressions so far.
It’s definitely in the mix
The A1000 is good. I don’t think anyone who appreciates this pair can doubt that. The question, as always, is how good are they?
There is no shortage of competition from the likes of Sony, Bose, Sennheiser and even the likes of Sonos. There are also the likes of Nothing, who have made headway in the headphone market with their recent efforts, plus Beats, and of course Apple. Basically, there is no shortage of options in the premium wireless market.
But I think the A1000 is definitely competitive.
The sound is typical Technics: balanced, neutral, but somewhat bright in tone; but spacious with plenty of detail and clear sound. They make a very musical sounding duo in many genres of music. Compared to the A1000, the redesigned and enlarged Magnetic Fluid Driver really makes the music sound very precise (they also sound great with vocals).
Noise cancellation is an area where I need to dig a little more. Full disclosure, but Technics has updated the firmware leading up to the announcement, so what we’ve seen in the first few days has changed. This is not unexpected – in fact it is quite normal in this day and age – but it does mean that a little more time is needed to survey the ANC. But first thoughts on the new firmware are that the transparency mode sounds clearer and the ANC seems to suppress it more than before. It’s certainly competitive with the likes of Sony and Bose.
I think Technics was a bit conservative with the battery life figures.
AAC claims 45 hours of streaming over Bluetooth. Battery drain in LDAC mode reduced the battery by 5% six hour. That’s huge battery life and not at all what I expected.
It’s a bit of a shame that Technics didn’t make it possible to replace the batteries yourself. There is no way around this, and with Sony and Sennheiser preparing for changes in EU regulations, I see this as a slightly less sustainable and consumer-friendly practice.
I counter my own numbers with the fact that it wasn’t done with the pre-launch firmware, so again that’s another reason I’m not posting my review yet.
They provide a plush feeling of comfort
Comfort has always been important to headphones – what brand in their right mind would release an uncomfortable pair of headphones. The Sonos Ace Ultra are among the most comfortable headphones I’ve worn, along with the Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 2, and Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless. But Technics is a bit different from these.
Especially the ear cushions, which provide plush contact with the head. Some headphones can be quite functional – comfortable to wear, but not that comfortable. The A1000 headphones feel like a pair of soft pillows on either side of your head, and this really adds to the premium feel of the headphones.
Where I would say it feels premium is the build quality, which feels a little hard plastic in some cases, but keeps the headphones light. Considering that they weigh more than 300 grams, like the Sonos Ace Ultra, they do not feel like it.
They can be competitors
You’ll have to wait for the full verdict, but right now I think the Technics EAH-A1000 are certainly competitive with the best wireless headphones out there right now. It will take a while to see if they fall a little short or if they match the Sony and Bose at the top of the table. But the early sighs are promising.
I haven’t even mentioned the call quality, that’s an area I have yet to test, but I’m curious to see how good they were with the AZ100. The EAH-A1000 could be a very good all-rounder, perhaps doing what the AZ100 did for Technics in the true wireless market.
