How I Changed My Listening Habits: From Sony WH-1000XM6 to Technics AZ100, and Balancing Stationary vs. Portable Use

Hello. I am an IT professional living in Kyushu and working fully remotely!

Honestly, I never really understood why someone would buy earbuds when they already have noise-canceling headphones.

I used to think, "Aren't headphones enough?" But before I knew it, I had joined that side (laughs). I bought the Technics AZ100 while already owning the WH-1000XM6, and now that I've settled into a routine of using them for different purposes, I'd like to share that story.

I was satisfied with my headphones, but did I feel like something was missing?

I think the WH-1000XM6 is a truly well-made pair of headphones. It was just released in May 2025, and there are several changes from the previous model. Personally, the one I was happiest about was the return of the folding mechanism. The XM5 didn't fold, right? That was slightly inconvenient for carrying around... With the XM6, the case is also more compact, which has significantly lowered the hurdle for taking them out.

The ANC performance has also improved, with the processor now being the QN3, which has over seven times the processing speed of the QN1. It also features a 12-microphone configuration, with six on each side. Just listing the numbers doesn't really give you a clear picture, but I've noticed more situations where I think, "Oh, it's quiet." When I'm working at a cafe, for example, I barely notice the voices around me.

However, no matter how good the performance is, headphones can be tough to wear for long periods.

Since I work fully remotely, I like to have music playing the entire time I'm working, but after two or three hours, my ears start to get stuffy. The weight of 253g doesn't seem like much when you look at the number, but it gradually becomes tiring over long periods. This is just an unavoidable consequence of the design, and it's not the XM6's fault, of course.

Also, simply moving around the house is a hassle. Even without cables, having to take them off and put them back on when I go to the kitchen to get water or move to another room has become a subtle source of stress.

That was the starting point for me thinking that maybe earbuds would be better in some situations.

My first impressions after starting to use the Technics AZ100

The Technics AZ100 are flagship earbuds from the Technics brand, which is under Panasonic. In terms of price, they are in the high 50,000 to 60,000 yen range, similar to the WH-1000XM6. It wasn't a cheap purchase, so honestly, I was quite hesitant.

I decided to buy them after trying them out, and my first impression was, "Oh, this sound is properly produced." I can't quite put it into words, but the center of gravity of the sound feels low and stable. The high notes don't pierce.

I usually use the WH-1000XM5 (the predecessor to the XM6), so it was relatively easy to tell, but headphones excel at soundstage and spatial expression, and they sound fundamentally different from earbuds. The AZ100 has a high sound density for earbuds, offering a rich listening experience close to that of headphones.

I often listen to Western music from the 90s—U2, Oasis, Nirvana, and so on—and I feel like the recordings from that era strangely suit the AZ100. When I play CD-remastered sources via LDAC, I like how even the roughness of the recording comes through as part of the flavor.

What is my criteria for deciding which one to use?

My current usage breakdown is as follows.

• When I use the WH-1000XM6: When going out (Shinkansen, airport, cafe), during work sessions where I need to focus intensely (short periods of 1-2 hours), and when watching movies.

• When I use the Technics AZ100: Long-term BGM while working from home, when wandering around the house, and for running or quick outings.

The point is that I decide based on "whether I can keep wearing them" rather than "noise isolation performance." Since both have excellent ANC, there's no point in choosing based on silence. Instead, I've started judging based on how long I intend to keep them on.

When I'm working from home, I have something in my ears for a total of 6 to 7 hours from morning until evening. It's impossible to wear headphones for that entire time. With earphones, I don't get tired even after 3 to 4 hours of continuous use. The AZ100 has a great fit, and if you find the right custom-fit earpieces, the feeling of them sitting in your ears is very natural.

However, as is true for all earphones, headphones are still superior in terms of the 'spaciousness' of the sound. I choose the XM6 without hesitation, especially when watching movies. It has a feature called 360 Reality Audio Upmix for Cinema, which expands stereo sources into a three-dimensional soundstage. This is more effective than I expected, and it provides a genuinely good experience when watching Western movies on Netflix.

The question of whether 'adding' was better than 'replacing'

This is a point I struggled with myself.

The issue is whether it's wasteful to own two devices in a similar price range. My conclusion is that if the roles are divided according to your lifestyle, an additional purchase is rational.

I think the reason people often regret replacing a product is when 'the strengths of the old product are lost in the new one.' If you replace headphones with earphones, you lose the wide soundstage of the headphones. But with an additional purchase, you can use the strengths of both depending on the situation.

Naturally, the budget is doubled. That is something you have to consider realistically.

However, since I started working fully remotely and spending most of my day at home, I feel that investing in my 'sound environment' is surprisingly cost-effective. It's something I use every day, and it does affect the quality of my work to some extent. Once I justified it that way, I stopped feeling much guilt (laughs).

I did try brands other than Technics

Just to be clear, I tried a few others before deciding on the AZ100.

The AirPods Pro 3 were also a candidate. Their integration with the Apple products I own is excellent, and the seamless switching between Mac and iPhone is smoothest with AirPods. However, in terms of sound texture, I preferred the AZ100, so I gave it the edge. If you are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 3 might be more convenient.

I also tried Sony's own earphones, the WF-1000XM5. Since they are the same brand as the XM6, the app integration is convenient, making it easy to use them in parallel with the headphones. The sound tendency is also very 'Sony,' with a world view close to the WH-1000XM6. I would honestly recommend these to anyone who wants to stick with Sony.

Also, besides the flagship AZ100, Technics offers models at a slightly lower price point, which I also considered. But since the difference in sound density was noticeable in the experience, I chose the AZ100 this time.

Taking care of them makes you more attached

As an aside, sometimes you start to worry about the appearance of headphones and earphones as you use them. Things like dirt on the ear pads or scratches on the charging case.

I chose black for the WH-1000XM6 instead of a bright color like pearl white, but I'm bothered by how visible the fingerprints are... Just wiping them with a soft cloth makes a big difference, so I try to do a little maintenance suitable for the material.

When you use things with care, you become more attached to them. Tools are mysterious things; the more you take care of them, the harder they are to let go (laughs).

If you're torn between 'using the WH-1000XM6 and the Technics AZ100'

When comparing these two, the way of asking 'which one is better' is probably a bit off.

Both are products that are close to the best in their categories, so it's hard to rank them simply. It's better to first organize 'in what situations you use audio' to make it easier to decide.

If you travel a lot and prioritize noise isolation while out and about, the XM6 is the way to go. If you want something for long work sessions or casual use around the house, the AZ100 is better. Of course, there is always the option of having both, and in that case, I find the approach of 'dividing them into stationary and portable roles' to be very practical.

I don't think I've reached the perfect answer yet, but for now, I'm satisfied with this combination. I hope this is helpful to anyone else who might be struggling with the same dilemma.

If you ask me if I regret buying them,

To be honest, I have no regrets.

Since I started using the AZ100, my relationship with music has changed a little. It feels like I've created a 'time to really listen' in my day, which is different from just playing background music while I work. I've been re-listening to 90s Western music, and it's surprisingly good... Working fully remotely, the line between on and off can get blurry, but the time I spend wearing the AZ100 and listening to music has become a great reset for me.

My wife asked me, 'You've been using your earphones a lot lately, haven't you?' so I tried to explain it to her, but she just said 'Oh, I see' and that was it (laughs). Well, that's how it goes.

I would recommend these to anyone who wants to spend time listening to music carefully at home but finds large headphones to be a hassle. I think the AZ100 fits that purpose quite well. Conversely, if you prioritize noise cancellation for commuting or traveling, the WH-1000XM6 or XM5 would be a better fit.

If I had to choose just one, it would depend on the situation. However, by taking the plunge and separating them into 'stationary' and 'portable' roles, I feel like my satisfaction with both has increased. I hope this helps.

Thank you for reading until the end.
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