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Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones Review

Panasonic Corporation is introducing headphones that prove to be a true all-rounder with the latest product in the Technics brand’s Personal Audio Devices range, the Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over ear Headphones.

A true high-fidelity sound experience is promised by the new Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over ear Headphones, the latest product of the Technics brand in the field of personal audio devices. Once again, Panasonic Corporation is expanding this essential market segment with a solution that, according to the manufacturer, is designed to deliver the usual sound quality of the Technics brand, anytime and anywhere, whether at home, in the office or on the road.

With the Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over ear Headphones, a solution is available that belongs to the premium segment through and through, combining said sound quality with versatility, high wearing comfort and, last but not least, long battery life. The Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over ear Headphones represent a universal solution that is ideally equipped for a wide range of tasks and does not require any compromises in terms of quality.

Headphones as important brand ambassadors

The fact that Panasonic Corporation is very strongly committed to the Technics brand in the field of personal audio devices, and especially in the headphone segment, is obvious and relevant for several reasons. First of all, the starting position is of course almost ideal, because Panasonic Corporation can point to many years of expertise in this field and has been supplying the finest solutions in the personal audio sector for years.

One can therefore rely on a very good basis and, building on this, design very exciting products with a comparatively manageable investment. This is a clear advantage over manufacturers who are not so well positioned and therefore have to make a much greater effort to enter this market from scratch.

The fact that the commitment in the headphone sector is in principle very essential is due to the fact that this market is an immensely lucrative one, as it has been flourishing for years. And especially for a brand like Technics, there is the fact that you can rely on a very loyal clientele, who naturally also like to choose a solution from their favourite manufacturer when it comes to headphones.

A very important argument for the commitment in the headphone segment is also that one can address a completely different target group than one could do with pure hi-fi systems. Headphones can therefore be seen as a kind of brand ambassador that brings consumers into contact with a brand for the first time and makes them loyal customers in the long term.

It is therefore very important how a brand like Technics positions itself in the headphone segment, because the portfolio offered here should of course fit the rest of the product range as well as possible, and the image should be consistent and coherent across the entire range. And it is precisely this strategy that Panasonic Corporation is pursuing very well with the Technics brand, as the new Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over Ear Headphones prove.

Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over ear Headphones – Clearly in the Premium Segment

In the past, the Technics brand focused solely on solutions for headphones that were clearly located in the premium segment, and this is also the case with the new Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over Ear Headphones.

The new headphones are aimed at a clearly defined target group who see headphones as products of their personal lifestyle, but who also attach great importance to outstanding features and particularly appealing quality. Design, functionality and value have to fit just as well as the image that the product conveys.

50 years of experience flowed into the development

It is therefore fitting that Panasonic Corporation can state that 50 years of experience in audio development have gone into the Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over ear Headphones and that they can boast of using industry-leading technologies. Once again, technology is combined with tradition, according to the Japanese manufacturer.

All this is supposed to serve the new Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over ear Headphones to realise the promised all-rounder, which is well equipped for all situations in life.

Sophisticated driver as the basis for perfect sound

Probably the most essential feature of a pair of headphones is, of course, first and foremost a fine sound, so let’s start our consideration of the Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over ear Headphones with the driver.

These headphones use a driver with a generous diameter of 40 mm and a PEEK/polyurethane diaphragm with three layers. This special construction is intended to ensure that the driver’s diaphragm has a high degree of stiffness while at the same time being very light, thus guaranteeing controlled operation at all times for the best results.

It should be mentioned that the driver has an impedance of 34 ohms and a sensitivity of 105 dB/ mW at 1 kHz, although this is only really of practical importance if the headphones are used with a cable, which – by the way – is of course also possible.

More essential is the fact that the developers rely solely on high-quality components and optimised circuitry to ensure signal processing free of interfering influences. The manufacturer states that, among other things, special polymer thin-film capacitors are used, which are used in the same form in the Technics reference class amplifiers and which ensure a distortion-free signal foot in the audio circuits and raise the sound quality to a high level.

Another important point is the design of the cabinet, which uses an Acoustic Control Chamber to control the airflow. This should guarantee a precise and at the same time dynamic bass reproduction.

The data sheet of the Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over Ear Headphones indicates a frequency range between 4 Hz and 40 kHz, which means that the solution complies with the specifications required for the Hi-res Audio or Hi-res Audio Wireless certificate of the Japan Audio Society, and these logos can be found on the packaging accordingly.

Signal transmission via Bluetooth 5.2

Even though, as already mentioned, the Technics EAH-A800 can in principle be operated via cable, it is primarily Bluetooth that will be used, with Bluetooth 5.2 being available here.

This is the basis for the fact that the headphones support LDAC in addition to the Bluetooth profiles A2DP, AVCRCP, HSP and HFP as well as the Bluetooth codecs SBC and AAC. This enables signal transmission in hi-res audio, up to 24 bit and 96 kHz, provided the source device is compatible. This is the case with many smartphones with Google Android, for example, as well as with almost all current portable hi-res audio players. For Apple iPhone and Apple iPad, one is limited to AAC for the time being and can thus achieve approximately “CD quality”.

The support of a Bluetooth multipoint coupling is interesting, because it allows the connection with two source devices at the same time. This is interesting, for example, if you want to connect a smartphone and a notebook at the same time, or a smartphone with a portable hi-res audio player. Depending on your needs, you can then switch directly between the two, for example when a call comes in.

Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones
Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones

Enjoying music alone and crystal-clear voice quality during conversations

A key feature of the Technics EAH-A800 is its active noise cancellation, which uses a particularly sophisticated technology as the basis for undisturbed music enjoyment in any environment. Of course, the focus here is also on the use for speech, because the active noise cancellation is also intended to contribute to the fact that the user can make telephone calls and video calls with the Technics EAH-A800 with optimal speech quality.

The manufacturer describes the active noise cancellation as a leading noise-cancelling technology, using a combination of Dual Hybrid Feedforward and Feedback Noise Cancelling with analogue and digital signal processing.

The Technics EAH-A800 is equipped with a total of eight microphones, which is remarkable in itself, especially since four of these are used with so-called beamforming technology for the actual speech transmission, the rest as feed-forward and feed-back microphones as the basis for the active noise cancellation.

A powerful DSP with correspondingly sophisticated algorithms as well as a combination of analogue and digital filters then ensure that, if desired, ambient noise is suppressed particularly effectively, but the music signal is not distorted in any way, only minimal noise occurs, and conversations can be conducted with crystal-clear quality. Incidentally, this is also helped by the fact that the microphones for speech recording are integrated in principle in such a way that they react comparatively insensitively to wind noise.

Technics EAH A800 Wireless Over ear Headphones im Test 10Technics EAH A800 Wireless Over ear Headphones im Test 11
Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones

Not completely disconnected

What is essential, however, is that the Technics EAH-A800 offers the possibility of not being completely disconnected from its environment. This is relevant, for example, when travelling in traffic, on public transport or with the family.

The Technics EAH-A800 supports two special operating modes, so-called interaction modes, when it comes to active noise cancellation.

With the so-called Ambient Mode, also known as Natural Ambient Mode, not only voices, but also other ambient noises are only partially suppressed in order to ensure a natural sound, as if you were not wearing any headphones at all, while a broad sound spectrum from low to high frequencies is captured.

Attention mode, on the other hand, is much “narrower” and thus reduces unwanted ambient noise, but allows voices through as far as possible, so that you can react to people in the vicinity just as well as to announcements at the airport, at the railway station or on public transport.

In addition, the intensity of the noise reduction can always be adjusted individually, so that the optimum setting can be selected for the most varied situations.

Technics EAH A800 Wireless Over ear Headphones im Test 13Technics EAH A800 Wireless Over ear Headphones im Test 12
Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones

Hears from word

It should be explicitly mentioned at this point, although it is actually self-evident anyway, that you can of course also use voice control with the Technics EAH-A800. The manufacturer explicitly lists Amazon technology here, so the headphones are listed as a solution with “Alexa Built-in”. Nevertheless, Google Assistant and Apple Siri are also available, depending on whether the operating system is a smartphone with Google Android or Apple iOS.

  • Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones
  • Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones
  • Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones
  • Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones
  • Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones
  • Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones
  • Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones
  • Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones

Technics Audio Connect App

The Technics Audio Connect App plays an essential role, making it an indispensable tool for the Technics EAH-A800. With the help of this app, which is available for Apple iOS and Google Android, all functions of the headphones can be configured and controlled – and as we have already been able to clarify, there are quite a few…

First of all, of course, the app is used to adjust the aforementioned settings for active noise cancellation according to individual requirements, and, to emphasise this explicitly once again, this can be done more flexibly than with almost any other headphones of this type. The available options are also clearly described and graphically well implemented, so that you immediately know what is involved.

With the help of the app, it is also possible to adjust the sound of the headphones according to your own preferences. For this purpose, there is an equaliser with various presets, but also the possibility of creating an individual filter curve.

It is also worth taking a look at the Settings menu, where the Technics EAH-A800 can also be adjusted in a variety of ways. For example, the voice announcements, which inform the user about the operating status of the headphones and are in English ex works, can of course also be changed to German.

The operation of the headphones can also be adjusted here, which we will discuss in more detail in a moment. In addition, the parameters of the noise suppression can be fine-tuned here, the mentioned multi-point coupling is activated here and the headphones can be given an individual name.

Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones
Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones

Simple operating concept

The developers equipped the Technics EAH-A800 with a simple but flexible control concept, which, as already mentioned, can be adapted to the individual needs in the settings of the app.

For the most important functions, buttons are available directly on the back of the right ear cup, first and foremost the standby button, but also buttons for volume control and playback control, specifically stop and pause.

The fact that the volume control and the simple playback control are carried out by means of separate buttons is extremely practical, because you don’t have to remember any commands and the controls are easy to feel.

Nevertheless, the outside of the right ear cup of the Technics EAH-A800 is also designed as a sensor field and can thus be used for further commands, whereby their function – as we have already mentioned – is determined with the help of the app.

Incidentally, a sensor integrated into the Technics EAH-A800 detects when the headphones are taken off and stops the music playback. When you put them back on, the music starts immediately at the point you paused before.

Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones
Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones

Impeccable wearing comfort

As a solution in the premium segment, Technics relies not only on a high manufacturing quality with high-quality materials for the new Technics EAH-A800, but also on the highest wearing comfort.

This starts with the ear pads, which the manufacturer calls 3D ear pads with a slightly curved design. This is intended to distribute the contact pressure evenly, and the ear pads are equipped with memory foam and are replaceable. In addition, the manufacturer uses ear pads with a particularly generous inner diameter, so that the ear is actually completely enclosed.

With a weight of only 298 g, the new Technics EAH-A800 can also be described as very light in its class. For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned here that the headphones are IPX4 certified and thus resistant to splashing water.

Amazingly long battery life

The new Technics EAH-A800 shines with a very long battery life, which must be explicitly emphasised. It is said that a playing time of up to 60 hours can be achieved without the active noise suppression. With active noise cancellation, however, the Technics EAH-A800 also achieves up to 50 hours, whereby these figures apply to the AAC codec. In Hi-res audio, it is 40 hours with ANC activated and 50 hours without.

When used as a headset only, the Technics EAH-A800 provides up to 120 hours of talk time.

Via a quick-charge function, just 15 minutes on the mains are enough to be ready for use again for ten hours, and fully charging takes only three hours. By the way, charging is done via a USB-C interface, whereby the matching cable – USB-A to USB-C – with a length of 0.5 m is included in the scope of delivery, as is a detachable audio cable with a length of 1 m for passive operation.

Speaking of the scope of delivery, it also includes a robust transport case as well as an audio cable with 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack and an adapter for use with in-flight entertainment systems.

Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones
Foto © Panasonic Corporation | Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over-ear Headphones

From the practice

Technics really goes out of its way to make the customer feel that they have purchased a premium class product with the Technics EAH-A800. This begins, for example, with the fact that the headphones are concealed in high-quality packaging made solely of cardboard, which is easy to open and brings the headphones into focus as a true piece of jewellery when unpacked.

This may seem like an insignificant detail to many, but in our opinion it is simply part of the overall picture.

When you hold the Technics EAH-A800 in your hands for the first time, the impression of a truly exquisite product solidifies, because everything here is impeccably made of high-quality materials that also convey the certainty that you will enjoy this solution for many years to come. The joints and the folding mechanism for folding the headphones for storage are robust, the padding of the headband and the earcups seem resistant and thus well equipped for everyday use.

Setting up the headphones is simple and can be done within a few moments, but that’s what you can expect from Bluetooth headphones. Once the app is installed on the smartphone, you are usually informed about a new firmware version for the headphones, which is also installed within a very short time and the headphones are ready for use.

However, before you start enjoying the music, you should familiarise yourself a little with the app, because as already described, the options for customisation are very diverse. Nevertheless, the app is clearly designed so that you can always find your way around.

Before we get to the most important thing, namely the sound, the high wearing comfort of the Technics EAH-A800 should be mentioned again, because this ensures that you can really wear the headphones for hours without them being annoying in any way. Nothing presses, nothing pinches, and even those who wear glasses can get along with the Technics EAH-A800 without complaint.

Fine, detailed sound

To cut to the chase, the sound of the Technics EAH-A800 really impressed us. The sound of the headphones is well-balanced and rich in detail over an enormous frequency range. Bass is reproduced accurately and to the point, voices are presented sensitively and the treble range is clear and detailed, resulting in a very natural, pleasantly relaxed sound. So if you are looking for headphones that massage your eardrums, you are in the wrong place. The task of the Technics EAH-A800 is to make music enjoyable, for hours on end. The active noise suppression, which is indeed extremely effective, can contribute significantly to this in hectic, noisy surroundings.

And since everyday life does not consist solely of relaxed listening to music, it should be mentioned that the Technics EAH-A800 was also used for telephone calls or video calls to our complete satisfaction in our test. Here, too, the listener benefits from the fact that the surroundings are faded out and the listener can fully concentrate on the conversation, the other party can be clearly understood and the listener can always be understood by the other party. Even business meetings are much more relaxed and pleasant.

Prices and availability

The Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over ear Headphones are already available from specialist dealers. The user can choose between two versions. First of all, there is the Technics EAH-A800 in graphite black, and secondly in dolomite silver, both of which have a recommended retail price of € 349. Considering the quality offered, we think this is a very fair price.

Getting to the point

The Technics EAH-A800 is a true wireless over-ear headphone that does credit to the reputation of the Technics brand. Not only does it use the finest technology to deliver the outstanding sound quality that you would expect from a product of this premium brand, it also has state-of-the-art features such as active noise cancellation, which can be counted among the best on the market. Unclouded music enjoyment in all situations is thus just as guaranteed as the best voice quality for telephone calls or video calls in the business environment. Remarkable wearing comfort, impeccable workmanship and, last but not least, an elegant appearance make these headphones an outstanding solution that we can clearly recommend.

PRODUCTTECHNICS EAH-A800 WIRELESS OVER EAR HEADPHONES
Price€ 349,-
BrandTECHNICS
ManufacturerPanasonic Corporation
DistributionPanasonic Deutschland – Eine Division der Panasonic Marketing Europe GmbH
More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG

HiFiBLOG Award Outstanding

A pair of Technics headphones must clearly be able to meet even the highest demands, as the manufacturer’s reputation as a traditional premium hi-fi supplier demands. Technics meets this challenge in all respects with the Technics EAH-A800. The design, the workmanship, the feel, the wearing comfort and, above all, the sound clearly speak for this solution and, in conjunction with the possibilities for individual adjustment in combination with an excellent app, make it a real all-round talent that you no longer want to do without in everyday life.


Positive

  • Attractive design
  • Ergonomic design for high wearing comfort
  • Impeccable workmanship and high-quality materials
  • Outstanding noise cancelling
  • Very appealing, natural and detailed sound
  • Allows extensive customisation
  • Long battery life

Negative

  • Unfortunately no aptX or aptx HD
  • The audio cable for optional passive operation could be a touch higher quality

Test Environment

  • Apple iPhone 12
  • Apple iPad Air
  • FiiO M11PRO Lossless Portable Music Player 
  • TIDAL HiFi

SOUND
DESIGN
HANDLING
PRICE/PERFORMANCE

The new Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Over ear Headphones can be described as a true all-rounder for users with high demands.

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Michael Holzinger

Michael Holzinger, founder and editor-in-chief of HiFi BLOG and sempre-audio.at, has been working for years as a journalist in the fields of IT, photography, telecommunications and consumer electronics.

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