Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Technics EAH-AZ80

If you want a pair of premium noise-cancelling wireless earbuds and your shortlist has come down to the Sony WF-1000XM5 and the Technics EAH-AZ80, you are choosing between two genuine flagships. Both sit at the top of the true-wireless class, both sound excellent and both support high-resolution audio — but they come at it from slightly different angles. Here is how they compare, drawn from independent expert reviews, with current UK prices.

At a glance

The Sony WF-1000XM5 (around £179.00) is the do-everything pick for most people: class-leading noise cancelling with deep app control, a compact, light fit and a refined, reference-grade sound, at the lower price of the two. The Technics EAH-AZ80 (around £199.00) is the choice for those who want the most beautifully built earbuds and a rich, hi-fi sound, with a superb in-ear fit. Both are among the very best you can buy.

Check the Sony WF-1000XM5 price on Amazon · Check the Technics EAH-AZ80 price on Amazon

Sound quality

Both of these are reference-class earbuds and both support the LDAC codec for high-resolution streaming from a compatible phone, so you are starting from a very high level whichever you pick.

The Sony is the benchmark the rest of its range is built around — its sound is so well judged that its components trickle down into Sony's other earbuds — delivering a balanced, refined and detailed presentation that suits any genre. The Technics leans on its hi-fi heritage for a rich, full-bodied and expressive sound that many listeners find especially engaging. There is no wrong answer here: the Sony is the safe, superbly balanced all-rounder, while the Technics has a slightly more characterful, audiophile flavour.

Noise cancelling

Noise cancelling is where the Sony pulls ahead. Its active noise cancelling is rated among the best in the true-wireless class, and — importantly — it is highly adjustable through the app, so you can tune how much of the outside world you let in. If shutting out a commute or an open-plan office is your priority, the WF-1000XM5 is the stronger tool.

The Technics is no slouch and cancels noise well, but its real strengths lie in build and sound rather than out-and-out isolation. Both will keep the world at bay on a train or a plane; the Sony simply does it a little better and with more control.

Design, build and comfort

This is the Technics' moment to shine. The EAH-AZ80 is, quite simply, a beautifully made pair of earbuds — the finish on both the buds and the charging case is flawless, with a brushed-metal surface that feels genuinely premium in the hand, and there is a choice of silver, grey or black. Fit is excellent too: the buds are ergonomically shaped to sit perfectly in the ear, and the seven pairs of ear tips in the box make it easy to get a proper seal.

The Sony takes a different approach. Its buds are smaller, lighter and more rounded than before — each one weighs only around 5.7 g — so they sit comfortably and disappear in the ear, which is great for smaller ears and longer sessions. The one small niggle is that their smooth surface can make them a touch fiddly to pluck out of the case. If you want the most luxurious object, the Technics wins; if you want the most compact, discreet fit, the Sony does.

Features and connectivity

Both are well specified. The Sony offers LDAC hi-res audio, app-adjustable noise cancelling, head tracking for spatial listening, multipoint pairing and a generous selection of ear tips, wrapped in one of the more capable companion apps around. The Technics matches the essentials — LDAC, multipoint and app control — and adds its trademark polish, with a strong reputation for stable, reliable connections.

The Sony is handy in a hurry, too: a quick 5 minutes charge in the case delivers around 1 hour of playback, so a dash out of the door need not leave you without music. For most people the deciding feature will be the Sony's deeper, more customisable app experience, but both let you pair to more than one device and fine-tune the sound and controls to taste.

Price

At the time of writing the Sony WF-1000XM5 is around £179.00 and the Technics EAH-AZ80 around £199.00, so the Sony is the slightly cheaper of the two. Both drop in the sales regularly, so it is worth checking the current prices before you commit.

Verdict: which should you buy?

For most people, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is the one to buy. It has the better, more adjustable noise cancelling, a wonderfully balanced sound, a compact and comfortable fit, the deeper app, and it costs a little less — a superb all-round pair of earbuds.

Choose the Technics EAH-AZ80 if you want the most beautifully built earbuds on the shelf, a rich and characterful hi-fi sound, and a first-class in-ear fit, and you do not mind paying a small premium for them. Both are genuine flagships; you are really deciding between the more complete all-rounder and the more indulgent, premium-feeling audiophile pick.