Maintain up, I’ve lastly discovered earbuds I can really use? By Erlingur Einarsson printed 18 Might 23 The brand new Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds neither fall out nor trigger me excessive ache. What sorcery is that this?

4 months ago 4 min read

After I acquired a pair of the brand-new Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ80 (opens in new tab) noise-cancelling earbuds to check forward of their announcement and launch, I felt conflicted. One a part of me was giddy on the prospect of getting and holding a bit of tech that would not be formally introduced for a number of weeks but. One other a part of me was stuffed with pure, unfiltered dread.

Why? As a result of I’ve by no means, not as soon as, in my whole lifelong existence on this earth, been capable of put on in-ear headphones (even these from our greatest noise-cancelling earbuds information).

Each time I’ve tried, be they wired or wi-fi, they’ve both been extraordinarily uncomfortable for me to put on for quite a lot of minutes, or just fallen out. There’s simply one thing concerning the form and/or measurement of my ears that’s basically incompatible with this magical piece of apparatus that’s earbuds. However then I met the brand new launch from Panasonic, and the whole lot modified.

Looky, fairly. (Picture credit score: Future / Erlingur Einarsson)

So, I used to be confronted with the prospect of making an attempt out an unique pattern of an especially high-end pair of earbuds – they usually have been ones that do not even formally exist but. To make issues worse, they’re wi-fi too. Absolutely I am destined to lose no less than one in every of this stuff inside minutes to the ground, just for it to be instantly eaten by my cat.

After which I opened the little black charging case they got here in, learn the directions extra rigorously than something I’ve ever learn earlier than, and put them in.

Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds being worn by a man — This picture of me carrying earbuds and never screaming in agony isn’t CGI, unbelievably. (Picture credit score: Future / Erlingur Einarsson)

To do that, you must first orientate them a sure approach, after which twist them to ‘wedge’ them into your ear. Together with the charging case I acquired a cardboard field with seven different-sized nibs/earpieces, so clearly Panasonic is conscious that the match is completely different for various customers.

And as an alternative of immediate searing ache, or that dreadful feeling that they are wobbling round, about to go flying and be misplaced endlessly, they match snugly into my ear. I actually could not fairly imagine it.

The factor is, I’ve typically discovered myself quietly judging individuals who stroll round with AirPods (different fashions can be found) like they’re high-flying enterprise gurus, self-important ‘earbud twats’ who merely have to be obtainable to speak and stroll at actually any time of day. I assumed possibly it was warranted, or maybe it was simply my unconscious jealousy at them having the ability to put on earbuds with out writhing in agony or actually holding them in with their hand to cease them from falling out.

However as I stood there, the earbuds becoming comfortably on the primary pair of nibs I attempted, I used to be dumbfounded. Was this magic? CGI? Absolutely it could not be actual. They weren’t solely comfy, however after some considered leaping and wriggling (to forestall mass hysteria, I naturally made positive to do that in personal), they hadn’t even nudged misplaced. In order that promo video I watched of athletes utilizing them whereas figuring out wasn’t a barefaced lie? Properly, I will be goshdarned.

Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds sitting on a desk

The charging case is neat, and there is that satisfying click on when the latch onto the charging slots. (Picture credit score: Future / Erlingur Einarsson)

What has adopted are days of me carrying and utilizing them. Not just for music, however to take and make calls with the hi-tech directional voice-enhancing mics, feeling like a stockbroker about to make multimillion-dollar choices, wanting importantly out the window, speaking into skinny air with the angle of an government about to catch a flight on my personal jet, as I ask my spouse what she needs for dinner when she comes residence (and her asking why I did not simply textual content like I all the time do, I by no means name about this, what is going on on).

I’ve additionally examined the bounds of its lively noise-cancelling expertise in extremely scientific methods. Going into the kitchen for a cup of espresso whereas obliviously wriggling to my Eurovision playlist, I could not hear the washer droning away or the kettle boiling, not even a little bit. Tapping on my clicky-clacky mechanical keyboard? Silent now. Drumming on the desk to that bit in Australia’s synth-metal music ‘Promise’ from keytar rockers Voyager? Could not hear a factor. Not one however two supply drivers ringing the bell and knocking on the door? Utterly missed.

Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds sitting on a desk

So many ears, so many decisions (Picture credit score: Future / Erlingur Einarsson)

As for the sound high quality? You may learn extra on that (and the whole lot else about them) in my full overview of the Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ80 right here (opens in new tab), however briefly, it is astonishing. In actual fact, it is so good that I want them to my trusty previous over-ear gaming headset now. So sorry everybody, however I am an earbuds twat now.