Forget the standard earphone design and style, at least on the inside, as Panasonic’s Technics brand has a new approach for noise cancelling earphones.
While there’s no shortage of earphones, we’re always eager to see (and hear) how hearables can be made differently. More compact form-factors, newer designs, and clever takes on uses for the technology such as with head-tracked spatial and using earphones as health trackers, but sometimes we learn about new technologies for the creation of the sound.
Drivers and diaphragms don’t always see new materials, even though there are some out there, such as the use of graphene in earbuds, as well as the handful of companies dabbling in micro-electromechanical parts (MEMS).
However, Technics has a different approach for earbuds it’s showing over at CES this year: magnetic fluid.
Technically, the Technics Magnetic Fluid driver isn’t completely new, having used it on a pair of in-ear monitors from several years ago, the TZ700.
The concept relies on an oil-type fluid housing magnetic particles between the driver and the voice coil, with the magnetic elements moving between to minimise distortion. This is all amidst an aluminium diaphragm, with the combination built for a clear audio rendition.
At least that’s the theory behind the idea, and it’s one Technics is throwing into the AZ100 truly wireless earphones, a pair supporting active noise cancellation, head-tracked spatial with Dolby Atmos, and a dose of AI to improve the voice pick-up during calls.
“Contemporary earbuds have become an indispensable part of our lives. We are using wireless earbuds at different times of the day and for different purposes – for good noise-cancellation on the commute, reliable microphones for meetings and to connect to multiple sources,” said Chris Moore, Business Manager for Headphones at Technics in Australia.
“That’s why we designed the EAH-AZ100, to create clean, distraction-free sound,” he said.
They’re also designed to be small, and arrive with a tweaked fit from previous Technics earphones, complete with five ear-tip sizes including one wedged between medium and large called “ML”.
Interestingly, the Technics AZ100 are one of a handful of CES 2025 news pieces that actually has an Australian release date and pricing. As such, you can expect to find the AZ100 in stores from February 1, priced at $499 locally.
