How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-26 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Technics HiFi True — biggest strength: LDAC hi-res audio in a genuinely small earbud, plus 3-point multipoint so your laptop and two other devices stay connected at once.
• Technics HiFi True — biggest trade-off: 7.5 hours per charge and an in-ear fit that some people simply don't get along with over a full day.
• EarFun Wave Pro Active — biggest strength: Up to 80 hours of playback, 45dB of claimed noise reduction, and a 3.5mm AUX cable as a backup when the battery runs dry.
• EarFun Wave Pro Active — biggest trade-off: It's a 266g over-ear headphone, and LDAC and multipoint can't run at the same time.
• For the commuter and office multitasker who wants a tiny, light kit: Technics HiFi True.
• For the long-haul flyer, home worker or movie watcher who wants big sound and huge battery: EarFun Wave Pro Active.
The Technics HiFi True (EAH-AZ40M2-N) is an in-ear true wireless earbud built around one clear idea: sound quality first, in the smallest possible package. The 6mm dynamic driver covers a 20Hz–20,000Hz range, and Technics pairs it with LDAC so compatible Android phones can stream at higher bitrates than a standard Bluetooth codec allows. If you've been hunting for genuinely good hi-res earbuds rather than a pair that just claims to be, that LDAC support is the headline.
What really separates it, though, is the connectivity. It does 3-point multipoint, meaning it can hold three Bluetooth devices at once — your laptop, your phone and a tablet, for example. You can finish a call on your computer, switch to a podcast on your phone, then take another call, without repairing anything. Add four sizes of silicone tips (XS through L) and beamforming mics for call clarity, and you've got a set that's built for people who live in meetings.
Who should buy it? Anyone who wants hi-res audio in a tiny form factor, swaps between several devices all day, and wants something IPX4-rated for sweaty commutes or light workouts. Who should skip it? If you need marathon battery life or you find in-ear tips uncomfortable after an hour or two, this isn't the one. The 7.5-hour figure is respectable for true wireless, but it's a completely different world from an over-ear headphone. Also skip it if your phone doesn't support LDAC — you'll still get good sound, but you won't be using the feature you paid for.
The EarFun Wave Pro Active is an over-ear Bluetooth headphone with a much bigger footprint and much bigger ambitions. The 40mm DLC composite dynamic driver covers 20Hz–40,000Hz and supports LDAC and Hi-Res Audio, so it also targets the hi-res listener — just in a full-size headphone instead of a bud. It's a 266g headphone with memory foam earpads, adjustable headbands and rotating ear cups, and it folds up for travel.
The numbers that matter most here are battery and noise cancellation. EarFun claims up to 80 hours with ANC off and 55 hours with ANC on, plus a 10-minute quick charge that adds around 10 hours. That's the kind of figure that means you can take a long trip and not think about a charger. The QuietSmart 2.0 ANC system uses five microphones and is rated to reduce external noise by up to 45dB, and the same five-mic array with AI processing handles your voice on calls. There's also a 3.5mm jack, so if you're on a plane with a seatback screen, you can just plug in a cable.
Two honest caveats. First, LDAC is Android-only and has to be switched on in the app. Second, LDAC and multipoint can't run simultaneously — turn on LDAC and multipoint turns off, so you're choosing between hi-res streaming and two-device convenience. LDAC also wants you to stay within about 2 metres to avoid dropouts.
Buy the EarFun if you want long listening sessions, real active noise cancellation, a wired backup and comfortable over-ear fit. Skip it if you need something pocketable, if you want multipoint and LDAC at the same time, or if you're on iOS and can't use LDAC at all.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for battery life → EarFun Wave Pro Active, by a huge margin (up to 80 hours vs 7.5 hours).
• Best for constant device switching → Technics HiFi True with 3-point multipoint.
• Best for blocking out planes, trains and open offices → EarFun Wave Pro Active, with ANC rated up to 45dB from five mics.
• Best for workouts and sweaty commutes → Technics HiFi True, thanks to IPX4 and a lightweight in-ear fit.
• Best for long-haul travel and movie watching → EarFun Wave Pro Active, with the 3.5mm AUX cable and foldable design.
• Best for people who hate things in their ears → EarFun Wave Pro Active, with memory foam over-ear pads.
• Best for a minimal everyday carry → Technics HiFi True, at 5g per bud with a 30g case.
In my opinion, the right pick depends entirely on where you'll use it, and I'd buy the EarFun Wave Pro Active if I had to commit to one. The 80-hour battery, 45dB ANC and wired fallback solve more real-world problems for more people — flights, workdays, films on the sofa — and the 40mm driver gives you a wider 20Hz–40,000Hz range to work with. But if you're an Android user who genuinely wants hi-res LDAC and three-device multipoint at the same time, the Technics HiFi True is the smarter buy, and it's the one I'd grab for commuting or training. Check the current price on Amazon before you decide, since that's the swing factor I can't judge for you.
FAQ
what is ldac headphones
LDAC is a Bluetooth audio codec that allows a higher-bitrate stream than standard Bluetooth, which is why both headphones here advertise LDAC support for hi-res listening. In practice, you need a compatible source — both products note LDAC works with Android devices, not iOS. On the EarFun Wave Pro Active you also have to enable it in the app.
It means the headphone can receive an LDAC stream if the phone or player sends one, giving you more detail than a standard codec. It isn't automatic: the Technics HiFi True supports LDAC out of the box with a compatible Android phone, while the EarFun Wave Pro Active requires you to switch it on in the EarFun app first.
what is ldac codec in headphones
It's the compression method used to send audio over Bluetooth. LDAC carries considerably more data than the basic codecs, which is why both of these products pair it with a Hi-Res Audio claim. The trade-off: the EarFun notes LDAC can cause playback interruptions if you move beyond roughly 2 metres from your device.
what is ldac sony headphones
LDAC was developed by Sony, and the term gets used loosely to mean any headphone using that codec. Neither product here is a Sony model — the Technics HiFi True and EarFun Wave Pro Active are independent headphones that happen to support LDAC. Judge each on its own specs rather than the codec name alone.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: Golvery Kids vs DUSONLAP Open Ear Earbuds: Air Conduction, YOTMS Gaming Headset vs DowiTech Virtuoso RGB, YunYiYi Replacement Earpad vs L LTGEM Replacement Ear Pads, PAXA Open Ear Earbuds vs MEE audio M6