Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ80

Sony WF-1000XM6

Sony

8.4

Best-in-class ANC, stagnant battery

Technics EAH-AZ80

Technics

8.4

Must Buy

Sony WF-1000XM6

What Reviewers Agree On

Class-leading active noise cancellation — Sony's QN3e processor and added mics give ~88% measured loudness reduction, modestly ahead of the XM5 and only just behind the AirPods Pro 3
Excellent, customisable sound with LDAC, DSEE Extreme and one of the deepest EQ apps in the category
Much-improved comfort: the body is ~11% smaller and reshaped, with an in-app fit test, so it can be worn for hours
Significantly better call/microphone quality than previous Sony earbuds
A smaller, sleeker charging case with Qi wireless charging and ~3-5 min quick-charge for ~60 min playback

Pros & Cons

Sony WF-1000XM6

Pros

Class-leading active noise cancellation — Sony's QN3e processor and added mics give ~88% measured loudness reduction, modestly ahead of the XM5 and only just behind the AirPods Pro 3
Excellent, customisable sound with LDAC, DSEE Extreme and one of the deepest EQ apps in the category
Much-improved comfort: the body is ~11% smaller and reshaped, with an in-app fit test, so it can be worn for hours
Significantly better call/microphone quality than previous Sony earbuds
A smaller, sleeker charging case with Qi wireless charging and ~3-5 min quick-charge for ~60 min playback

Detailed Comparison

Sound Quality

Sony WF-1000XM6

All-new drivers plus Sony's LDAC/DSEE Extreme and a deep EQ app draw strong praise, though a vocal minority argues the tuning still trails the best-sounding rivals in the price class.

All-new drivers (a soft-edge diaphragm for deep bass, a lightweight dome for crisp highs) deliver excellent, wide-range sound.
The driver grew from 6mm to 8.4mm; sound is good though not immediately 'blown away' impressive out of the box.
Sony retains one of the best EQ/customisation suites in the category, letting you dial in a personal sound profile.
Among the best Bluetooth earbuds this reviewer has heard, on par with the latest AirPods Pro for sound and ANC.

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Stable multipoint Bluetooth to any two devices regardless of ecosystem

Deal Breakers

Battery life is unchanged for three generations — still 8h ANC-on / 24h with case, with real-world figures often 6-7h
Price rose to $329/$330, a $30 hike over the XM5 for incremental gains
Top ANC and sound depend heavily on getting a good ear-tip seal — a poor fit noticeably degrades both
Sony's track record of battery degradation and update-bricked older models (XM4) is a real trust concern for long-term buyers

Technics EAH-AZ80

What Reviewers Agree On

Best sound quality in true wireless earbuds — wide, detailed, natural
Three-device multipoint is a unique, practical feature
ANC is strong and effective

Stable multipoint Bluetooth to any two devices regardless of ecosystem

Cons

Battery life is unchanged for three generations — still 8h ANC-on / 24h with case, with real-world figures often 6-7h
Price rose to $329/$330, a $30 hike over the XM5 for incremental gains
Top ANC and sound depend heavily on getting a good ear-tip seal — a poor fit noticeably degrades both
Sony's track record of battery degradation and update-bricked older models (XM4) is a real trust concern for long-term buyers

Technics EAH-AZ80

Pros

Best sound quality in true wireless earbuds — wide, detailed, natural
Three-device multipoint is a unique, practical feature
ANC is strong and effective

Dissent: despite the consensus, these are not the best-sounding ANC earbuds in their price category — historically Sony's XM line has been among the weaker-sounding flagship ANC sets.

iPhone users are limited to AAC — Sony's LDAC hi-res codec only works on Android, capping the sound ceiling on iOS.

Owner view: the WF-1000XM5 already sounded excellent, so the sonic gains are subtle generation-to-generation.

Technics EAH-AZ80

Audiophile-grade sound that leads the TWS category.

Wide soundstage, excellent instrument separation, and natural timbre — the best-sounding TWS earbuds
10mm drivers with aluminum diaphragm deliver detailed, dynamic audio across all genres
LDAC support for hi-res Bluetooth streaming

Noise Cancellation

Sony WF-1000XM6

The headline upgrade. The new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3e plus extra mics push ANC to a measured ~88% loudness reduction — best-in-class for earbuds, with the only caveat being its dependence on a good seal.

Sony claims a 25% improvement in noise reduction over the XM5, driven by the new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3e alongside the Integrated Processor V2.
Lab data: ~88% average loudness reduction across all frequencies, a small step up from the XM5's 87% but still behind the AirPods Pro 3's 90% (the highest ever measured by this lab).
Sony states the XM6 has the best earbud noise cancelling available based on international testing standards; with a good seal it may genuinely be the best out there.
Best ANC overall but only with the right fit — and that fit is difficult for some to find (echoed by The Verge's review).
Top-tier, near-best-in-class ANC and a 'sublime' transparency mode, though the XM5's old wind/pressure pain points are improved rather than fully eliminated.
Hands-on: an absolutely top-tier noise canceller — for buyers whose single priority is the strongest ANC, this is the pick.
Reddit consensus: best ANC or second only to the AirPods Pro 3, with excellent venting and hear-through.

Technics EAH-AZ80

Effective ANC with natural ambient mode.

Dual Hybrid ANC performs well — handles commute noise and offices effectively