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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-05 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Avantree SoundJet R1 — biggest strength: a two-piece kit. Bluetooth 5.3 earbuds with hybrid ANC plus a separate transmitter that plugs into any 3.5mm AUX port, so the same set covers commuting, flights, TV and gym audio.
• Avantree SoundJet R1 — biggest trade-off: it's a system, not a single accessory. You're buying a transmitter you may not need if all your devices are already Bluetooth, and the earbuds themselves are wired-free only over Bluetooth.
• COMPLY TW-180-B — biggest strength: true memory foam tips in three pairs, sized small, shaped for a secure in-ear seal that passively blocks noise and doesn't interfere with charging.
• COMPLY TW-180-B — biggest trade-off: it does nothing on its own. No electronics, no ANC, no audio of any kind — it only improves earbuds you already own, and only the compatible models listed.
• Who each is for: the SoundJet R1 suits buyers who want ANC earbuds and a way to get wireless audio out of older AUX-only gear; the COMPLY tips suit buyers who already own compatible earbuds and want better fit, comfort and isolation for a few dollars.
The SoundJet R1 is really two products in one box: a pair of in-ear wireless earbuds with hybrid noise cancellation, and a Bluetooth 5.3 transmitter that gives any device with a 3.5mm AUX jack a wireless audio path. That transmitter is the headline feature. It turns an airplane seat-back screen, a gym machine, an older TV or a classroom media cart into a Bluetooth source. If you've ever wished a non-smart audio device could talk to your earbuds, that's the exact problem this kit solves.
The earbuds themselves cover the usual ground well. Dynamic drivers, a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz range, in-ear fit with plastic and silicone construction, and media controls on the buds. Hybrid ANC is claimed to cut up to 24dB of environmental noise, and an Ambient Mode flips the built-in mics on so you can hear what's happening around you without pulling a bud out. That matters in a classroom or a shared office, where you want music or a call muted but still need to catch someone saying your name.
COMPLY TW-180-B: Who It's For
The COMPLY TW-180-B is a three-pair pack of black memory foam replacement ear tips in small. That's the whole product. No battery, no Bluetooth, no ANC circuit — just Comply's True Memory Foam, molded to fit specific earbuds and designed to seat deeply and stay put. The payoff is passive: foam expands to fill the ear canal, which improves both isolation and how securely the bud sits, and the tips are built not to interfere with charging when you drop the buds back in the case.
Compatibility is specific, and that's the thing to check before buying. The listed models include Sony LinkBuds Fit, TOZO NC9 Hybrid ANC, Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 and Anker Soundcore Liberty 5. If your earbuds aren't on that list, these aren't for you. The small size is also a real constraint — if you normally run medium or large tips, small foam may seal poorly, and a poor seal undercuts the entire point.
Who should buy it: anyone who owns one of the compatible models and finds the stock silicone tips slippery, uncomfortable after an hour, or leaky on a commute. Memory foam is a genuinely different feel — softer, more conforming, better at blocking steady low-frequency noise like engine drone or HVAC hum. Who should skip it: owners of incompatible earbuds, anyone who wants to add active noise cancellation (foam can't do that), and buyers who prefer the wipe-clean durability of silicone over foam that needs replacing periodically.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for active noise cancellation → Avantree SoundJet R1. It has hybrid ANC rated to cut up to 24dB, plus an Ambient Mode. The COMPLY tips only isolate passively.
• Best for a USB-C charging headset for teachers → check the fit and charging setup on Avantree SoundJet R1 vs your existing earbuds. The COMPLY tips are explicitly built not to interfere with charging, which matters if you keep buds cased between classes.
• Best for improving earbuds you already own → COMPLY TW-180-B. If your current buds fit one of the listed models, this is the cheapest meaningful upgrade.
• Best for comfort over long sessions → COMPLY TW-180-B, in my opinion. Memory foam conforms where silicone presses.
• Best for a complete music-and-calls setup out of the box → Avantree SoundJet R1. It's a self-contained system with its own drivers, mics and controls.
• Best for travelers who want one kit → Avantree SoundJet R1. The flight-companion framing is the core of the design.
• Best for minimal spend on a specific fix → COMPLY TW-180-B. It does one job and does it without electronics.
For most people reading this, I'd buy the Avantree SoundJet R1. It's the more complete product: real hybrid ANC earbuds, a transparency mode, and a transmitter that gives you a wireless path into AUX-only devices — which is a genuinely useful thing for teachers moving between a laptop, a projector and a media cart. The COMPLY TW-180-B is the better buy only if you already own compatible earbuds and your complaint is fit, comfort or isolation rather than features. In my opinion, if you're starting from nothing, buy the SoundJet R1. If you're upgrading something you already like, buy the foam tips.
what is hybrid anc earbuds
Hybrid ANC means the earbuds use microphones on both the outside and the inside of the bud to cancel noise. The outer mic samples ambient sound, the inner mic checks what's left near your ear, and the system cancels both. The Avantree SoundJet R1 uses this approach, rated to cut up to 24dB.
what is anc earbuds
what are hybrid anc earbuds
They're earbuds with the dual-mic feedforward-and-feedback ANC design described above, as opposed to single-mic ANC. Practically, they tend to handle a wider range of noise than basic ANC. In the SoundJet R1's case, that's paired with an Ambient Mode that pipes outside sound back in when you need awareness.
Are the COMPLY TW-180-B tips worth it if I already have ANC earbuds?
Yes, if your earbuds are one of the compatible models — Sony LinkBuds Fit, TOZO NC9 Hybrid ANC, Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 or Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 — and fit or comfort is your issue. Better foam sealing improves isolation and bass response without touching the electronics. If your earbuds aren't listed, they won't fit, so skip them.
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