Technics EAH-AZ100 vs Bowers & Wilkins Pi8
Technics EAH-AZ100 (#1, best overall) vs Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 (#2, best premium): in our Earbuds for Music scoring the Technics EAH-AZ100 totals 9.3/10 and the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 8.9/10, the Technics EAH-AZ100 leading on Value and Codec Support.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Technics EAH-AZ100 | Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $205 | $353 |
| Driver | 10mm magnetic fluid, aluminum diaphragm | 12mm carbon cone |
| Frequency Response | 3Hz-40kHz | — |
| Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC, LC3 | aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive (24-bit/96kHz), AAC |
| Battery | 10h / 28h total | 6.5h / 20h total |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | — |
| Unique Feature | — | Case retransmission |
How they differ in real use
Built from our earbuds music scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Technics EAH-AZ100 and the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 made our Top 5 Earbuds for Music, at #1 (best overall) and #2 (best premium). The most technically accomplished TWS for music—dual-driver design with magnetic fluid woofer delivers audiophile-grade sound with exceptional bass and clarity. Street price has also dropped to around $205, well under its $299.99 list. Luxury audiophile earbuds with transmitter case for aptX Adaptive to any Bluetooth source, plus 24-bit/48kHz DAC onboard.
We score earbuds for music on Sound Quality (40%), Codec Support (20%), Soundstage (15%), Comfort (15%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Technics EAH-AZ100 totals 9.3 out of 10 and the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 8.9. The widest gap is Value, where the Technics EAH-AZ100 scores 9 against 7 for the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 — performance per dollar. Codec Support also separates them: 9.5 for the Technics EAH-AZ100 versus 9 for the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Driver — 10mm magnetic fluid, aluminum diaphragm on the Technics EAH-AZ100 versus 12mm carbon cone on the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8; Codecs — LDAC, AAC, SBC, LC3 on the Technics EAH-AZ100 versus aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive (24-bit/96kHz), AAC on the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8; Battery — 10h / 28h total on the Technics EAH-AZ100 versus 6.5h / 20h total on the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8.
Pricing as of August 5, 2026: $205 for the Technics EAH-AZ100 and $353 for the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8, a $148 difference in the Technics EAH-AZ100's favor. Owners praise the Technics EAH-AZ100 for 10mm magnetic fluid drivers and 3-way multipoint (industry first); the most common complaint is comfort limited to ~3 hours for some. Owners praise the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 for 12mm carbon cone drivers and case functions as DAC/wireless transmitter; the most common complaint is highest price at $399.
Technics EAH-AZ100
- 10mm magnetic fluid drivers
- 3-way multipoint (industry first)
- Reference-grade transparency
- LDAC and LC3 (LE Audio) support
- Comfort limited to ~3 hours for some
- ANC trails Apple's implementation
- Premium price
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8
- 12mm carbon cone drivers
- Case functions as DAC/wireless transmitter
- aptX Lossless (CD-quality)
- Holographic imaging
- Highest price at $399
- Shortest battery (6.5h)
- Bulkier case
Which should you buy?
The Technics EAH-AZ100 is the better fit for audiophiles and multi-device users — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Value and Codec Support. The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 is the better fit for luxury audiophiles and iPhone users wanting aptX. Since the Technics EAH-AZ100 is both the higher scorer and $148 cheaper, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 only makes sense for luxury audiophiles. The Technics EAH-AZ100 is a poor fit for those with small ears; the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 is a poor fit for budget shoppers.
Choose the Technics EAH-AZ100 if
- Audiophiles
- Multi-device users
- Critical listeners
Skip it if
- Those with small ears
- ANC-priority users
Choose the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 if
- Luxury audiophiles
- iPhone users wanting aptX
- Those connecting legacy gear
Skip it if
- Budget shoppers
- Battery-priority users
Common questions
Is the Technics EAH-AZ100 better than the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8?
In our Earbuds for Music ranking the Technics EAH-AZ100 scores higher overall, 9.3 to 8.9, with the biggest advantage in Value. The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 does not out-score it on any criterion we weigh.
How much more does the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 cost than the Technics EAH-AZ100?
$148 more as of August 5, 2026: $353 for the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 against $205 for the Technics EAH-AZ100. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure.
What is the main difference between the Technics EAH-AZ100 and the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8?
The headline spec difference is Driver: 10mm magnetic fluid, aluminum diaphragm on the Technics EAH-AZ100 versus 12mm carbon cone on the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8. In use, the gap that matters most is Value (9 vs 7 in our scoring): performance per dollar.