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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-27 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
Amylove 12 vs SOAR Collegiate Active at a Glance
• Amylove 12 — biggest strength: twelve pairs of passive earmuffs in one box with up to 27dB noise reduction, adjustable headbands and rotating ear cups.
• Amylove 12 — biggest trade-off: passive cancellation only, no Bluetooth, no drivers, no battery — it mutes the world rather than playing anything into it.
• SOAR Collegiate Active — biggest strength: true active noise cancelling with Bluetooth 5.3, 32mm dynamic drivers, quick charge in 1–2 hours and up to 40 hours of playtime.
• SOAR Collegiate Active — biggest trade-off: it is a single pair of headphones, so it solves one listener's problem, not a whole classroom's.
• Who Amylove 12 is for: parents, teachers, event organizers and anyone buying hearing protection in quantity for kids, teens and smaller adults.
• Who SOAR Collegiate Active is for: a teen or adult who wants one comfortable wireless ANC headphone for sports audio, travel and everyday listening.
Amylove 12 is not a music product, and it does not pretend to be. It is a twelve-pack of passive noise cancelling earmuffs built around a simple promise: up to 27dB of noise reduction, delivered consistently, in enough quantity that a group is covered at once. The shell is a 50/50 blend of sponge and ABS, and the construction is aimed squarely at repeated use — durable outer shells, cushioned ear cups, an adjustable headband that scales from toddlers through teens and smaller adults.
The real story here is the format. Twelve pairs in one box changes what the product is for. A single family with one sensory-sensitive child does not need twelve. A classroom preparing for testing week, a school running field trips, an event organizer handling a loud fireworks show or a truck show, or a community program putting together donation kits absolutely does. The 2–16 age range and the sensory-friendly framing for autism and sensory processing needs tell you the intended buyer: someone responsible for a group of children in a high-volume environment.
Where it genuinely shines is the combination of passive cancellation and environmental awareness. Because these are passive earmuffs, they reduce harmful noise while still letting a wearer hear what's happening around them — which matters when you're supervising kids at a concert, a sporting event or an airport. The rotating ear cups and padded cushions help with fit across different head sizes, and the boho styling is a deliberate choice to make hearing protection look like something a kid will actually keep on.
Who should skip it? Anyone who wants to listen to music, take a call, or pair headphones to a phone. There is no Bluetooth, no driver, no battery and no active circuitry here. If you want audio, this is the wrong product. If you want quiet, in bulk, it's the right one — and the 5.1-pound pack weight reflects that you're getting twelve units, not one.
SOAR Collegiate Active: Who It's For
SOAR Collegiate Active is the opposite kind of product, and that's the point. It's a single pair of wireless over-ear headphones with genuine Active Noise Cancellation — the electronic kind that samples the noise around you and cancels it, rather than just sealing your ears off. It runs Bluetooth 5.3, charges fully in roughly 1–2 hours, and the spec sheet claims up to 40 hours of playtime. Wired listening is also supported, which is a nice fallback when you'd rather not think about battery at all.
The audio side is built around 32mm dynamic drivers. That's a modest driver size by audiophile standards, but it's the right call for what this headphone is for: sports audio, commentary, crowd noise and mainstream music. The tuning is described as deep and powerful rather than neutral and analytical, which fits the game-day theme. The Auburn Tigers team-color finish and sports theming make it clear who this is marketed to — a fan who wants their headphones to match their jersey.
Comfort is where the design earns its keep. It's listed at 1.2 pounds, uses super-soft ear pads and an over-ear fit, and the whole package is pitched at long listening sessions: all-day tailgates, commutes, flights. The age range starts at teen, and there's a one-year manufacturer warranty attached.
The honest trade-offs: it's one pair, so it solves one person's problem. ANC on any headphone works best on steady low-frequency noise — engine drone, crowd rumble, air conditioning — and is less effective on sharp, sudden sounds. And if you're buying for several kids, one pair goes nowhere. This is a personal audio product, not a group safety product.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for listening to music or commentary → SOAR Collegiate Active. 32mm dynamic drivers and Bluetooth 5.3.
• Best for classrooms, testing and field trips → Amylove 12. It's explicitly designed for exactly those scenarios.
• Best for sensory-sensitive kids and autism support → Amylove 12. Passive cancellation that keeps environmental awareness intact.
• Best for travel and commuting → SOAR Collegiate Active. Active Noise Cancellation targets traffic and engine noise, and 40 hours of battery covers a long trip.
• Best for long wear sessions → SOAR Collegiate Active. Lightweight over-ear build with soft pads, aimed at all-day use.
• Best for fans and game-day style → SOAR Collegiate Active. Team-color finish and sports theming.
• Best for a mixed-age household that needs both → buy both. They don't compete; they cover different jobs.
In my opinion, most people searching this comparison fall into one of two camps, and the answer is clean for each. If you are buying for a group — a class, a team, a charity drive, a family with several young kids — I would buy the Amylove 12. Twelve pairs of certified, adjustable, 27dB passive earmuffs is a genuinely different product category, and nothing about the SOAR replaces it. If you are buying for one teen or adult who wants to actually listen to something, I would buy the SOAR Collegiate Active. ANC, Bluetooth 5.3, 32mm drivers, quick charge and 40 hours of playtime make it the only one of the two that plays audio at all. My pick for the average individual shopper is the SOAR Collegiate Active; my pick for the average organizer is the Amylove 12.
FAQ
how to on noise cancelling headphones
what is the best over ear noise cancelling headphones
In my opinion, "best" depends on the job. For one person listening to audio with active cancellation, the SOAR Collegiate Active is the stronger pick thanks to Bluetooth 5.3, 32mm dynamic drivers and up to 40 hours of playtime. For protecting several children from loud environments, the Amylove 12 wins on format alone — twelve passive pairs with up to 27dB reduction each.
which over ear noise cancelling headphones
Choose the SOAR Collegiate Active if you want wireless audio, ANC and a lightweight over-ear fit for a teen or adult. Choose the Amylove 12 if you need multiple pairs of adjustable earmuffs for kids, teens and smaller adults in classrooms, at events or for sensory relief. They're over-ear in both cases, but they solve completely different problems.
what are the most comfortable over ear noise cancelling headphones
The SOAR Collegiate Active is built for long sessions: 1.2 pounds, super-soft ear pads and a pressure-free over-ear design. The Amylove 12 focuses on fit range instead — an adjustable headband that spans toddlers to smaller adults, plus soft padded cushions and rotating ear cups. For all-day music listening I'd lean SOAR; for growing kids who need a secure seal, I'd lean Amylove.
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