If you want open-ear comfort and situational awareness for TV watching, choose AYI Open Ear Air; if you need immersive Hi-Fi sound and deep noise isolation for TV watching, choose TANCHJIM MINO ASANO Tench. These two devices represent fundamentally different approaches to personal audio, and the right choice depends entirely on whether you prioritize hearing your surroundings or blocking them out.
• AYI Open Ear Air: Its biggest strength is the bone conduction design that keeps your ears open for safety and comfort during long sessions, but it trades off total immersion and bass depth compared to in-ear options.
• TANCHJIM MINO ASANO Tench: It delivers professional Hi-Fi tuning with deep bass and active noise cancellation up to -45dB, yet it requires a secure in-ear fit which some find less comfortable for all-day wear.
• Best For: The AYI is for runners, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone who needs to hear their environment while listening; the TANCHJIM is for audiophiles, gamers, and home theater users seeking cinema-quality sound.
The AYI Open Ear Air is built around a specific philosophy: enjoy high-quality audio without ever blocking your ear canal. This is achieved through its bone conduction driver technology, which transmits sound vibrations directly to your inner ear while leaving the eardrum exposed. This design makes it an exceptional choice for people who watch TV in environments where situational awareness matters. If you have family members in the room, or if you are using the headphones while cooking or monitoring a baby, this open design ensures you don't miss important external sounds. The "pain-free" claim in its specifications isn't just marketing fluff; because there is no plug-in pressure, these headphones can be worn for extended periods without the fatigue common with traditional earbuds.
For the specific use case of TV watching, this product shines as an ipx7 waterproof bluetooth earbuds for tv watching alternative, though technically it holds an IPX4 rating. It handles sweat and light splashes well, making it versatile enough for workouts before settling down to watch a show. The Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity ensures a stable link, which is crucial when you don't want to deal with audio dropouts mid-movie. The battery life averages 10 hours on a single charge, which is more than sufficient to power through a full day of intermittent viewing or a long marathon session without needing to recharge.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-25 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
However, you should skip this model if you are looking for the thumping bass response found in traditional headphones. Because the sound bypasses the ear canal, the low-frequency experience is naturally different. If your primary goal is to feel every explosion in an action movie or the rumble of a subwoofer, the open-air design might feel lacking. Additionally, while it features Active Noise Cancellation, it relies on the open structure, meaning it cannot physically block out loud environmental noises like traffic or construction as effectively as a sealed in-ear device. It is best suited for quiet to moderate environments where you want to hear your favorite content without isolating yourself from the world.
The TANCHJIM MINO ASANO Tench is engineered for those who demand a premium, immersive listening experience. At its core is a 10mm full-size dynamic driver with a beryllium-coated dome and PU suspension edge. This combination is designed to minimize distortion to below 0.1%, creating a soundstage that feels expansive and detailed. For someone watching TV, this means dialogue will be crisp and clear, while background scores will retain their texture without becoming muddy. The sound profile is professionally tuned to offer smooth ultra-high frequencies, a balanced midrange, and deep bass extension, closely aligning with a target curve that prioritizes musical fidelity. If you are the type of viewer who notices every instrument in a symphony or wants to feel the impact of a car crash in a film, this unit is the superior choice.
Its active noise cancellation capability is a standout feature, offering up to -45dB of noise reduction. This allows you to completely shut out the hum of a refrigerator, the chatter of neighbors, or the static of a noisy train. When paired with the ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) for calls, it ensures that even if you take a call during a commercial break, your voice comes through clearly. The inclusion of a proprietary app adds another layer of utility, allowing you to customize touch controls and adjust equalizer settings to suit your specific hearing preferences or the type of content you are consuming. Whether you are gaming with the low-latency mode activated or simply watching a documentary, the customization options let you fine-tune the experience.
Battery life is another area where the Tench excels, particularly for heavy users. In standard mode, you get approximately 6 hours from the earbuds alone, but the charging case extends this to up to 37 hours total. This means you can go nearly a week between charges if you only listen intermittently. The device also supports wireless charging via Qi protocols, adding convenience to the daily routine. However, the trade-off is the in-ear design. While lightweight, the physical seal required for the ANC to work effectively can cause discomfort for some users after several hours. It is not ideal for people who have sensitive ear canals or who prefer the feeling of having nothing inside their ears. Furthermore, while it has a microphone, the focus is heavily on audio quality rather than hands-free calling versatility.
• Best for TV Watching in Noisy Rooms → TANCHJIM MINO ASANO Tench: The -45dB ANC provides the isolation needed to hear every detail without cranking the volume.
• Best for Situational Awareness → AYI Open Ear Air: The open-ear design lets you hear the doorbell or kids playing while still enjoying your show.
• Best for Battery Life → TANCHJIM MINO ASANO Tench: With up to 37 hours of total playback, it outlasts the AYI's 10-hour single-session life.
• Best for Sports and Sweat Resistance → AYI Open Ear Air: Both are IPX4 rated, but the open design prevents sweat buildup in the ear canal better.
• Best for Bass and Immersion → TANCHJIM MINO ASANO Tench: The 10mm beryllium driver delivers a rich, distorted-free low-end that open-ear tech cannot match.
• Best for All-Day Comfort Without Pressure → AYI Open Ear Air: The lack of an in-ear seal eliminates the "plugged ear" feeling common with TWS buds.
• Best for Customization → TANCHJIM MINO ASANO Tench: The dedicated app allows for granular control over EQ and touch gestures that the AYI lacks.
• Best for Connectivity Speed → AYI Open Ear Air: Bluetooth 5.4 offers slightly faster pairing and lower power consumption than the Tench's 5.3.
After weighing the technical specifications and real-world use cases, I would personally buy the TANCHJIM MINO ASANO Tench for my own TV watching setup. While the AYI Open Ear Air offers excellent comfort and safety features, the cinematic experience provided by the TANCHJIM's Hi-Fi drivers and deep noise cancellation is unmatched for home entertainment. The ability to block out household distractions and immerse myself in the soundtrack makes it the superior tool for relaxation and enjoyment. If your priority is total immersion and sound quality, the TANCHJIM is the clear winner.
The TANCHJIM MINO ASANO Tench features dual microphones with beamforming technology and ENC noise reduction, making it excellent for clear voice calls during TV breaks. The AYI Open Ear Air also supports clear calls, but the TANCHJIM's noise suppression is more advanced for noisy environments.
Both models carry an IPX4 rating, meaning they can withstand sweat and light splashes from rain or showers. Neither is fully submersible, so avoid dropping them in water, but both are suitable for intense workouts or rainy walks.
While the TANCHJIM MINO ASANO Tench works out of the box, you need the proprietary app to access custom equalizer settings, change touch controls, and utilize certain advanced features. The AYI Open Ear Air operates with standard Bluetooth controls without requiring additional software.
The TANCHJIM MINO ASANO Tench offers up to 6 hours per charge and up to 37 hours with the case, making it ideal for multi-day use. The AYI Open Ear Air provides about 10 hours on a single charge, which is great for a full day but requires recharging sooner if used continuously.
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