Archive - October 2021

Technics is proud to announce the Australian release of two new true wireless in-ear headphone models – the EAH-AZ60 and the EAH-AZ40 – delivering a pure, immersive sound experience within a compact design. Backed by more than 50 years of Hi-Fi audio engineering experience, the new models are designed with the Technics premium audio quality that consumers have come to love and appreciate, with an impressive acoustic housing design and advanced digital technologies.

“Australians have adopted new work/life routines, and our Technics headphones support this, with JustMyVoice™ Technology,”[1] said Aaron Waters, Product Marketing Manager – Audio and Video, Panasonic.

“Are you videoconferencing while working from home, or taking phone calls on the move? This technology will actively detect and capture your voice, while analysing and isolating surrounding noise to deliver crystal clear audio communication.”

Both true wireless headphones are perfectly suited for a “working from anywhere” lifestyle. The EAH-AZ60 model also incorporates Technics’ industry-leading[2] noise cancelling technology, and high-resolution audio quality with Bluetooth® and LDAC technology.[3] True wireless headphones have become a staple accessory from the desk to the workout and for relaxation and travel. Listeners can choose from a variety of colours, with the EAH-AZ60 model available in silver and black, while the EAH-AZ40 is available in silver, black and rose gold.

The Technics EAH-AZ60 and EAH-AZ40 are priced at $379RRP and $249RRP respectively and are available now from selected Technics audio specialist retailers.

Hear Every Detail

Premium Technics Sound Quality

Taking advantage of its Hi-Fi sound engineering philosophy and expertise cultivated over many years, Technics’ premium sound is now available in the palm of your hand.

EAH-AZ60

The unique design of the Technics acoustic chamber, harmoniser and 8mm drivers deliver rich, expansive sound with smooth and detailed highlights allowing listeners to hear every detail. The Acoustic Control Chamber optimises air flow to create a powerful bass and enhance sounds in the mid-ranges. The newly adapted harmoniser generates smooth treble, enabling an unprecedented range of natural sounds. Inside the advanced 8mm dynamic driver is a bio cellulose diaphragm that is both strong and flexible allowing for pure, authentic sound, from clear lows to fluid highs.

Additionally, the EAH-AZ60 supports High-Resolution Audio Quality with Bluetooth® and LDAC technology,[4] delivering a wide dynamic range of sound with fast response and high definition.

EAH-AZ40

With a slightly smaller, yet advanced 6mm dynamic driver, this newly developed model has been integrated with an Acoustic Control Chamber and Harmoniser to offer clear sound with a sense of range and depth while maintaining a small compact design.

Speak with Clarity

Superior Call Quality

Both the EAH-AZ60 and EAH-AZ40 models are equipped with JustMyVoice™ Technology which provides listeners with excellent call quality. The voice detection mics detect your voice when speaking, while the two MEMS mics actively capture your voice and reduce surrounding noise with beamforming technology for a clear call, even in noisy environments or while working from home.

The EAH-AZ60 has a total of eight mics, four each on the left and right, while the EAH-AZ40 has a total of six mics, three each on the left and right. These play a significant role in supporting more comfortable, natural conversation.

Wind Noise Reduction

Wind is one of the primary factors affecting call quality, so to ensure high audio performance in any environment, Technics equipped its new true wireless models with wind noise reduction technology. The EAH-AZ60 and EH-AZ40 use mics with small holes that are installed deep inside the headphones to minimise vibrations caused by air and facilitate wind-free conversation.

Immerse Yourself in Sound

Industry-leading Noise Cancelling (EAH-AZ60)

Available only in the EAH-AZ60 model, Technics’ Dual Hybrid Noise Cancelling Technology, composed of Feedforward and Feedback Noise Cancelling, captures both the noise outside and inside the headphones. When paired with the digital and analogue processing, this combination creates best-in-class[5] noise cancelling performance perfect for blocking out distractions, whether at home or outside.

Control the Sound Around You

Natural Ambient/Attention Mode

Both models are equipped with unique ambient sound modes which can be set to either ‘Natural Ambient’ or ‘Attention’ mode. Natural Ambient Mode captures all surrounding noise, allowing the user to listen to music or talk on the telephone while paying attention to their surroundings. Attention Mode, captures sounds in the human voice frequency range, ensuring the listener can hear human voices nearby, such as announcements at the airport or a family member’s voice at home.

Designed for Every Lifestyle

All-Day Comfort Fit Design

The new drop shape of the earbuds is designed to maximise contact with the user’s ear canal for an optimal fit, while the outer portion of the earbud is thinner than previous models, preventing it from falling out of place.

IPX4 Water Resistance Finish

Listeners can take the new Technics true wireless headphones virtually anywhere. Both the EAH-AZ60 and EAH-AZ40 models boast water resistant performance in line with the IPX4 standard and are unharmed when splashed with water from any direction.

For more information please see: technics.com/au

[1] Feature under continuous development; varying environmental conditions may affect performance.

[2] As of August 14, 2021; According to research by Panasonic Corporation, measured using JEITA-compliant guidelines in the true wireless noise cancelling headphones market.

[3] Effective with High-Resolution content transmitted with LDAC codec at a max. transfer rate of 990 kbps.

[4] When connected via Bluetooth®, LDAC supports up to 96 kHz/24 bits.

[5] As of August 14, 2021; According to research by Panasonic Corporation, measured using JEITA-compliant guidelines in the true wireless noise cancelling headphones market.

Technics Australia has today unveiled three premium additions to its audio line-up, designed to deliver optimum quality and performance for the discerning Australian audiophile.

Together, the new models give enthusiasts the uniquely harmonious listening experience that only Technics can offer. The amplifier and speaker system will provide flawlessly matched and calibrated audio and can be co-ordinated with the newly-designed turntable. The new range encompasses:

• The SU-G700M2 Grand Class Integrated Amplifier – a successor to the highly acclaimed SU-G700, inheriting Technics’ full-digital core amplifier technologies, such as the JENO Engine for the highest signal precision free of jitter and distortion, and LAPC for optimal matching to any speaker. The hairline-brushed aluminium casework is available in silver or black.
• The SB-G90M2 Grand Class Floor-standing Speaker System significantly improves the already outstanding performance of the predecessor SB-G90 – with drivers, elements, and enclosure structures optimised to efficiently eliminate unwanted vibrations and distortions. Available in a luxurious high-quality black gloss finish.
• The SL-1210G Grand Class High End Direct Drive Turntable encompasses all of the impressive technical specifications of the SL1200G – now encased in a minimalist black finish to deliver classic elegance.

Aaron Waters, Product Marketing Manager – Audio and Video, Panasonic said: “Since our first components landed earlier this year, there has been huge demand and enthusiasm from our retailers and loyal Technics customers. The introduction of this Grand Class range adds a new dimension to Technics in Australia.”

The new products will be available in store from late November via selected Technics audio specialist retailers. The SU-G700M2 is priced at $4,399RRP; the SB-G90M2 is $4,949RRP per speaker; and the SL-1210G is $6,999RRP.

Technics Product Details

Technics SU-G700M2 Integrated Amplifier: successor to the highly acclaimed SU-G700

The new SU-G700M2 Integrated Amplifier builds upon the platform of its successful and widely acclaimed predecessor, the SU-G700. The new model is a typical example of Technics’ untiring efforts to constantly improve even its most accomplished audiophile products.

With the new SU-G700M2, advanced technologies derived from Technics’ Reference SU-R1000 Integrated Amplifier were trickled down to set a new standard at this price point. The SU-G700M2 inherits Technics’ full-digital core amplifier technologies, such as the JENO Engine (Jitter Elimination and Noise-Shaping Optimisation) for the highest signal precision free of jitter and distortion, and LAPC (Load Adaptive Phase Calibration) for optimal matching to any speaker.

The new SU-G700M2 also incorporates the following features:

• An Advanced Speed Silent Power Supply (AS²PS), incorporating “fast” semiconductor parts such as GaN (Gallium-Nitride) FETs and Silicium Carbide (SiC) Diodes for a much more reactive, efficient supply of current to the power stage for higher drivability of speakers. This approach was used for the power supply of the Reference SU-R1000.
• Improved sound image and dynamic power, combining low distortion and high transparency with energetic drive, improved soundstage and precise focus of voices and instruments without sharpness.
• A high-quality MC phono input stage (in addition to MM input) for direct connectivity to turntables with high-end MC pickup cartridges.
• Phono Input Phase selector for optimised playback of mainly older vinyl discs recorded with inverted phase.
• Volume and source knobs now have the aluminium “spin” texture also derived from the SU-R1000 Reference Amplifier for a clear distinction from the original SU-G700.

Technics SB-G90M2 Floor-Standing Speaker System with impressive audiophile performance quality

The new SB-G90M2 is a floor-standing loudspeaker in the Grand Class series. Like its predecessor, the SB-G90, the new M2 version is a 3-way bass reflex speaker system consisting of a 2-way coaxial driver combining a 25mm dome and a 160mm midrange cone made of aluminium. This is accompanied by two 160mm woofers, also constructed from aluminium. Due to meticulous research and development, Technics’ engineering team has yet again succeeded in improving audiophile performance quality through knowledge in mechanical construction and evolutionary driver design.

With the new SB-G90M2, thorough CAE analysis was used to optimise drivers, elements, and enclosure structures to efficiently eliminate unwanted vibrations and distortions. Consequently, Technics has significantly improved the already outstanding performance qualities of the SB-G90. The new SB-G90M2 loudspeaker system demonstrates Technics’ leading position in manufacturing musically involving products with one single goal: to express an acoustic performance as close to the original as possible, regardless of musical genre. Below are the technical enhancements of the SB-G90M2 loudspeaker system in comparison to its predecessor, the SB-G90:

• Advanced Phase Precision Driver: The diaphragm of the Coaxial Driver Unit has been reworked. The structure has been newly calculated by FEM (Finite Elements Method) simulation for reduced resonance and a more natural midrange with less distortion. Also, a Linear Phase Plug has been added, efficiently eliminating any phase disturbance, thus making the sound pressure characteristics of the tweeter more natural.
• Advanced BDMA (Balanced Driver Mounting Architecture): The inner Speaker Mount Baffle onto which the woofers are mounted at their centre of gravity around the magnet has now been extended to one plate attached to the base board, so vibrations can ‘escape’ to the ground.
• More Energetic Cabinet Structure: The whole inner stiffening structure has been redesigned in the lower part of the cabinet. The so-called Standing Wave Termination Structure – a multiple-folded wave guide containing a controlled amount of acoustically absorbing material – will efficiently eliminate standing waves, at the same time minimising the use of acoustic damping material.

Responding to requests from our customer base, the new SB-G90M2 now features bi-wiring speaker terminals.

Technics SL-1210G Direct Drive Turntable – a future classic

Taking all the technical specifications of the SL-1200G and encasing them in a minimalist black finish, the SL-1210G is another future Technics classic. Technics learned from the huge success of the limited-edition SL-1210GAE, which was launched in June 2020 and almost immediately sold out, realising there was high demand for a ‘regular’ black version of this flagship 1200 Series model. In its striking black finish, the new SL-1210G possesses genuine elegance.

The overall quality and performance level of the SL-1210G defines the highest turntable standards, deserving to be partnered with the very finest phono cartridges for truly inspirational vinyl playback.

Key features:

• Iron-coreless direct drive motor with double rotor/single stator achieving ultimately stable rotation, free from cogging and with powerful torque.
• Hybrid encoder for rotational speed detection, using a Hall Sensor for rotor position detection.
• Highly sensitive yet robust tonearm made from cold-drawn magnesium for high damping effect. High-precision tonearm bearings use a cut-processed housing for high initial motion sensitivity, ensuring accurate reading of the music information etched in the record’s groove.
• Three-layer platter with high vibration-damping performance for undisturbed tracking. Each platter is individually adjusted for balance.
• 4-layer high-rigidity cabinet with heavy aluminium top plate and high-damping silicone-rubber insulators to effectively shut out vibration.

Technics Product History

About Technics amplifiers

Technics is the brand name of hi-fi audio products owned by the Panasonic Corporation of Osaka, Japan. The Technics brand was founded in 1965. Driven by a constant striving for innovation and excellence within the audio field, countless legendary hi-fi components have been released by the Technics brand, many of them setting new standards in the audio world. In the amplifier world, technologies such as OTL (Output transformer-less), OCL (Output capacitor-less), Class A+ or the Battery Driven Power Supply have been inventions by Technics and have gained legendary status. Since the brand rebirth in 2014, Technics has released amplifiers built on their proprietary full-digital approach based on the JENO Engine (Jitter Elimination and Noise-Shaping Optimisation), also applying LAPC (Load Adaptive Phase Calibration) for perfectly matching a Technics amplifier to any speaker connected.

About Technics loudspeakers

The first-ever Technics product was a compact 2-way bookshelf loudspeaker system, released in 1965. It set new performance standards for compact speakers at that time. Since then, Technics has introduced many notable loudspeaker systems. In 1975, the SB-7000 founded the Linear Phase Technology which many speaker manufacturers later followed; while the SB-RX50 launched in 1986 can be seen as the forefather of Technics’ point source speaker systems with the Phase Precision Driver of today. The innovative, oversized AFP flat-panel monitors – due to their power and precision – were used at Vienna State Opera as stage monitor speakers, while the futuristic SST-1 folded-horn speaker system received entry to the New York Museum of Modern Art due to its exceptional milestone design concept.

About the Technics 1200 Series

The SL-1200 was launched as a popular direct drive turntable in 1972, becoming a best-selling model with cumulative sales of 3,500,000 units for the series. It was supported by powerful torque, easy operation, and high durability. It became greatly admired by both audio enthusiasts and DJs who helped to unleash the DJ culture in areas such as electronic dance music. The series is still highly acclaimed by DJs worldwide today. In 2016, after the revival of the Technics brand in 2014, Technics released the limited SL-1200GAE turntable, defining vinyl playback standards with the newly developed iron-coreless direct drive motor, eliminating unwanted “cogging”, and thus enabling a new standard of rotational stability. Together with evolutionary improvements in the fields of tonearm, platter and chassis construction, the new 1200 Series turntable generation made its way out of pure DJ usage towards the audiophile market with its high-quality integrity, accuracy, and musical enjoyment. Since then, Technics has released numerous turntable models in the new 1200 Series based on the coreless direct drive principle. The new SL-1210G, together with the SL-1200G, define the culmination of the Technics 1200 Series culture.

For more information please see: technics.com/au