Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics AZ100 comparison, as someone who has purchased both pairs of earbuds with my own money.
I’ve conducted thorough testing of both wireless earbuds, and I will break down a winner for each category including:
- Comfort and Fit
- Features
- Battery Life
- Microphone Quality
- Noise Cancelling Performance
- Sound Quality
- Value
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, audio engineer, and tech journalist. I also run the RecordingNOW YouTube channel with over 17,000+ subscribers and over 4 million+ views, where you can watch the video versions of all of our reviews and comparisons.
Let’s dive right in!
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics AZ100 Comparison in Short
Our 2025’s Best Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbud Winner, the Technics EAH-AZ100, is seriously threatened by the newer Sony WF-1000XM6. The XM6 earbuds have superior noise cancelling performance, mic quality, and newly-improved audiophile-level sound. The AZ100 is still the superior choice for sound quality, while having above average noise cancelling performance and mic quality. Both are serious contenders for Best Wireless Earbuds of 2026.
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Comfort, Features, Microphone Quality, and Battery Life
Comfort
The Sony WF-1000XM6 comes with 4 pairs of hybrid silicone-like and memory foam eartips.
The Technics EAH-AZ100 comes with 5 pairs of silicone eartips.
I find the comfort of both earbuds to be about the same, which is fairly average for the class. Both earbuds require a decent amount of penetration to really wedge them into the ear canal and get the proper physical seal. I do find the XM6 earbuds to be more secure-fitting once seated, as the AZ100 has a slight tendency to get loose over time.
I do prefer the smaller earbud design of the AZ100 which is not as big of a footprint as the oblong XM6 earbuds.
I’m not in love with the eartip material on either earbud, but I think the Sony WF-1000XM6’s hybrid memory foam and silicone feels slightly better than the AZ100.
To improve the comfort and fit of both the Technics AZ100 and WF-1000XM6, I’ve really enjoyed using these aftermarket ones I tested from SpinFit (note that this entire review is using the stock eartips):
Features
When it comes to features, these are two of the most feature-rich earbuds in the market currently.
They both offer Spatial Audio, with Sony’s sporting “360 Reality Audio” and the Technics AZ100 with official Dolby Atmos support.
Both earbuds support the high-res LDAC codec for audiophile-level resolution and source quality.
Lastly, both earbuds have native iOS and Android app support to cover virtually every userbase.
Microphone Quality
The newer Sony WF-1000XM6 is one of the best for microphone quality in the market, improving upon the previous-gen WF-1000XM5 earbuds which introduced bone conduction sensors for call quality.
So how does the more audiophile-focused Technics AZ100 fare?
Surprisingly, the AZ100 actually has one of the better mic quality for the entire class, especially as an “audiophile-first” product as opposed to the Sony’s.
That said, the newer XM6 earbuds do have the superior mic quality over the AZ100, which is only natural as technology progresses.
The only contender here that may be superior to both is the AirPods Pro 3.
Battery Life
Technics AZ100 Battery Life
- With ANC on: 10 hours of battery life on a single charge / 28 hours total with charging case
- With ANC off: 10 hours on a single charge / 28 hours total with charging case
- Fast Charge: 15 minutes = 1.5 hours of playback
Sony WF-1000XM6 Battery Life
- With ANC on: 8 hours of battery life on a single charge / 24 hours total with charging case
- With ANC off: 12 hours on a single charge / 36 hours total with charging case
- Fast Charge: 5 minutes = 1 hour of playback
The Technics AZ100 has the advantage over the Sony WF-1000XM6 in battery life when ANC is turned on, while the XM6 has longer battery life when ANC is turned off.
Technics AZ100 Pro Score: 9.0 out of 10
Sony WF-1000XM6 Score: 9.0 out of 10
Winner: Tie
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics AZ100 Noise Cancelling Performance Compared
Sony’s consumer audio products for both headphones and earbuds have been some of the best noise cancelling technology outside of Bose.
The newer Sony WF-1000XM6 continues that trend and is seriously impressive in this arena.
Despite being an audiophile product, the Technics AZ100 actually performs well above-average in the noise cancelling department.
That said, the Sony XM6 earbuds are arguably now the best-in-class, tied with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen.
I’m hearing slightly stronger noise-blocking across the entire frequency range with the XM6, which is seriously impressive.
Aside from ANC, the Transparency Modes are pretty good on both the Sony and the Technics.
Technics AZ100 Score: 8.5 out of 10
Sony WF-1000XM6 Score: 9.0 out of 10
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6
Sound Quality
Now here is where things get really interesting…
The Technics AZ100 was our Overall Winner for “Best Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds of 2025“.
In large part due to its excellent audiophile-level sound quality, which I truly adore today just as much as first listen.
Now the newer Sony WF-1000XM6 has an opportunity to make a leap from the “very good”-sounding XM5 earbuds, which I do enjoy for what it’s worth.
So how do they stack up?
Well, let’s start with the LDAC support for both earbuds, which is the first plus for audiophiles seeking the best sound quality possible out of a wireless earbud.
To conduct this test, I used my Questyle QCC Dongle Pro to unlock LDAC support:
If you’re an iPhone user, or if your phone doesn’t support aptX codecs, then I highly recommend you pick up the dongle above which will cover both LDAC and aptX Adaptive high-res codecs. It’s the only one of its kind that supports both, to my knowledge.
Sound Profiles
Starting with the stock sound profiles, this is where things first differ between the two. The Technics AZ100 has the brighter, more “exciting” and “lively” sound with a slight bass and treble emphasis. Surprisingly, the Sony WF-1000XM6 is the darker, more neutral, and “accurate”-sounding, with a heavier midrange emphasis that results in smoother and more natural timbre.
Both earbuds are wonderfully-detailed in different ways, with the AZ100 having more airiness and treble energy, while the XM6 earbuds have fuller mids that create more realistic timbre for vocals and most instruments.
Even though they differ on sound profile, I think they’re both worthy of being called “audiophile” as they each have a refined sound in their own way.
Not to mention, the pure sound quality is excellent across the frequency spectrum.
Bass
Starting with the bass, both earbuds are seriously impressive in this area, and it’s hard to choose a winner.
Both earbuds have a satisfying bass response that starts with good impact, but is focused and clean throughout the bass note.
I would give a slight advantage to the AZ100’s bass from its 10mm “Magnetic Fluid” drivers over the XM6’s 8.4mm drivers.
To my ear, the AZ100 reaches a deeper sub-bass response, giving it the edge over the XM6.
Mids
The mids is where the WF-1000XM6 shines, leading to fuller vocals and more realistic and natural-sounding timbre for vocals and instruments.
This is a clear advantage over the AZ100 which prioritizes the bass and treble instead of the mids.
The mids aren’t bad on the AZ100, but it’s not as natural-sounding or detailed as the XM6 in this range.
The XM6’s mids are seriously impressive for this class of product and have a nicely refined sound to them.
Treble
Swinging back the pendulum, I give the treble advantage to the AZ100, which is hyper-detailed, airy, and exciting.
The WF-1000XM6 has detailed treble, but it takes a tasteful backseat to the mids and bass which are the real star of the show.
This results in the XM6 sounding smoother and less sibilant than the AZ100, but it also means the overall sound is less exciting and airy than the AZ100.
My personal preference is towards the neutral-bright signature of the AZ100, which delivers more detail with less effort on the listener’s part.
Technics AZ100 Score: 8.7 out of 10
Sony WF-1000XM6 Score: 8.6 out of 10
Winner: Technics AZ100
Value
The Sony WF-1000XM6 is a new release that retails at $329.99 USD.
The slightly older Technics EAH-AZ100 retails for $299.99 but can be found at lower prices when on sale.
If we’re just looking purely at price, I’d argue the AZ100 is the slightly better value, especially when on sale.
The slightly superior sound quality would be my argument in favor of the AZ100, but I have to admit that the Sony WF-1000XM6’s superior noise cancelling performance and mic quality is not to be overlooked at all.
Overall, these really are two of the best all-arounders in the class, and it boils down to your preferences.
Until the newer Sony WF-1000XM6 starts going on sale, I’m putting the AZ100 down as a slightly better value for now.
Technics AZ100 Value Score: 9.0 out of 10
Sony WF-1000XM6 Value Score: 8.5 out of 10
Winner: Technics AZ100
Overall Scoring Breakdown
- Best noise cancelling performance
- True audiophile sound quality
- One of the best mic quality
- Pricy
- Comfort could be slightly improved
- True audiophile sound quality
- Very good noise cancelling
- Above-average mic quality
- Relatively great value
- Not the most secure fit
- There’s better noise cancelling
Our Verdict: Technics AZ100
Wow, this one was truly too close to call.
On paper this would be a “Tie”, but if we just had to pick a winner, it would be the Technics AZ100.
The Technics EAH-AZ100 was our Overall Winner for “Best Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds of 2025” for a reason, and the main one being its audiophile-worthy sound quality, coupled with above average daily practicality.
That said, the newer Sony WF-1000XM6 means serious business, and is a real threat to the AZ100’s reign.
The XM6 earbuds’ sound quality seriously surprised me, and I have to admit it’s now firmly “audiophile” as well.
But where the XM6 is really superior would be as a daily driver, as the improved noise cancelling performance seriously blows me away.
Add in better mic quality and the Sony WF-1000XM6 is practically begging to be your daily go-to wireless earbuds.
To put it simply, the Technics AZ100 is one of the best audiophile earbuds that happens to serve as a great daily driver, while the Sony WF-1000XM6 is arguably the best daily driver that can still satisfy an audiophile. You can’t go wrong with either choice, and it just boils down to your priorities.
Lastly, if you’d like to save some money and keep supporting RecordingNOW.com’s 100% independent, unbiased reviews, do consider using some of our affiliate links below to shop and even just compare prices. We purchase all products we review with our own money to maintain the highest level of integrity, and your support goes into that plus a continuously improving site experience.
Order HERE for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
How We Tested and Our Methodology
RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.
We currently purchase the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, tech journalist, and audiophile.
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