Marking its 80th anniversary, Kenwood has introduced GLASS Core, a new wireless earbud platform built around what the brand calls an industry-first glass diaphragm for true wireless earbuds. The Kenwood GLASS Core lineup launches with two models — the flagship KH-CRZ100T (GLASS Core Pro) and the KH-CRZ90T (GLASS Core) — both aimed at translating Kenwood’s “original sound reproduction” philosophy into a wire-free format.
A Glass Diaphragm Built to Minimize Unwanted Vibration
The signature feature of Kenwood GLASS Core is the diaphragm material itself: glass, rather than the polymer or metal films used in most dynamic earbud drivers. Kenwood says the material minimizes unwanted vibrations across the frequency range, aiming for a wide soundstage and crisp, dynamic playback. On the flagship KH-CRZ100T, that 10 mm glass diaphragm is paired with a MEMS driver in a 2-way bi-amp configuration, with independent amplifiers for each frequency band to reduce distortion. The KH-CRZ90T carries the same glass-diaphragm approach in a single-driver configuration without the bi-amp architecture.
Both Kenwood GLASS Core models use newly developed liquid-silicone eartips, which Kenwood says offer greater flexibility than conventional solid silicone for a better seal, reduced sound leakage and stronger noise isolation, with an umbrella-shaped oval design intended to lower ear pressure during extended wear.
Noise Cancelling, K2 Upscaling and Long Battery Life
The KH-CRZ100T adds what Kenwood describes as best-in-class noise cancellation among true wireless earbuds, based on in-house testing, with Adaptive Mode and a dedicated Wind Cut Mode. Both models draw on JVC’s K2 Technology, which upscales non-hi-res sources such as CDs and streaming audio toward near-hi-res quality, alongside Personalized Sound ear-canal analysis and JVCKENWOOD’s proprietary EXOFIELD spatial audio processing on the KH-CRZ100T. Both buds support Bluetooth 6.0, LDAC for near-hi-res wireless audio, multipoint connection to two devices, eight sound modes, IPX4 water resistance and AI-based noise reduction for calls.
Battery life differs between the two: the KH-CRZ100T delivers up to 14.5 hours per charge and 49 hours total with the case (noise cancelling off), dropping to 12 and 40.5 hours with ANC engaged, while the KH-CRZ90T reaches up to 17 hours per charge and 44 hours total. Both use a slide-door charging case designed for one-handed operation, and both support single-ear use and an earbud locator function through the companion app.
Pricing and Availability
Kenwood has detailed the GLASS Core Pro (KH-CRZ100T) and GLASS Core (KH-CRZ90T) through its European microsite ahead of availability; regional pricing has not yet been published for either model. Kenwood positions Kenwood GLASS Core as an 80th-anniversary flagship release, sitting above the brand’s existing wireless earbud range and aimed at listeners who want measurable engineering claims — an actual glass driver, not just marketing language — behind the sound-quality pitch.
Both models are shown alongside an online manual and a full product gallery on Kenwood’s dedicated microsite, suggesting a near-term retail rollout across the brand’s European markets once pricing is finalised.
Key Specifications
- KH-CRZ100T (GLASS Core Pro): 10 mm glass diaphragm + MEMS driver, 2-way bi-amp, up to 49 hours total battery (NC off)
- KH-CRZ90T (GLASS Core): 10 mm glass diaphragm driver, up to 44 hours total battery (NC off)
- Bluetooth: version 6.0, Power Class 1, SBC/AAC/LDAC codec support
- Ear tips: newly developed liquid-silicone, umbrella-shaped oval design
- Noise cancelling: Adaptive Mode + Wind Cut Mode (KH-CRZ100T); high-performance NC (KH-CRZ90T)
- Technology: JVC K2 Technology upscaling, Personalized Sound, EXOFIELD spatial audio (KH-CRZ100T)
- Water resistance: IPX4 (earbuds only)
- Extras: multipoint pairing, 8 sound modes, earbud locator, single-ear use, low-latency mode
For another recent wireless-earbud launch, see our coverage of the Audio-Technica ATH-AL5NC. Further information on Kenwood GLASS Core is available directly from Kenwood.
