How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a replacement cable that brings your Beats headphones back to life, choose EARLA TEC Replacement Audio Cable; if you need a complete set of wired sport earbuds, choose Avantree E171.
• EARLA TEC Replacement Audio Cable — biggest strength: it's a purpose-built replacement cord with an in-line mic and remote, sized and shaped to fit Beats by Dr. Dre headphones with a 3.5mm jack.
• EARLA TEC Replacement Audio Cable — biggest trade-off: the remote and volume controls only work on Apple devices, so Android users lose most of the button functions.
• Avantree E171 — biggest strength: a complete, ready-to-wear pair of wired ear buds with an ear-hook design, three silicone tip sizes, and a full in-line control that works across most 3.5mm devices.
• Avantree E171 — biggest trade-off: the sound is tuned for balance rather than heavy bass, and the ear-hook style isn't for everyone.
• Pick the EARLA TEC cable if you already own Beats headphones and just need to replace a worn or lost cord.
• Pick the Avantree E171 if you want earbuds for running, the gym, or calls and don't own Beats.
The EARLA TEC cable is a single-purpose product, and that's the point. It's a 1.4m replacement audio cord with a 3.5mm plug and two male connectors — one straight, one L-shaped — designed to slot into Beats by Dr. Dre headphones like the Solo, Studio, Pro, Detox, Mixr, Executive, and Pill lines. If your original Beats cable has frayed at the jack, gone missing, or the mic stopped working, this is the kind of part you buy instead of retiring the headphones entirely.
What it does best is combine a replacement cord with everyday phone controls. There's a built-in microphone and an in-line remote that handles hands-free calls, volume up and down, track skipping, and voice commands. The cable itself is TPU-coated, which the maker describes as soft, tangle-free, and durable — a reasonable spec for something that lives coiled in a pocket or bag. It's grey and round, and it's an auxiliary-type cable, so it's a straightforward analog connection.
Here's the catch, and it's a big one depending on your phone: the remote functions only work on Apple iPod, iPad, and iPhone. On Samsung or other non-Apple devices, the buttons and mic won't behave the way you'd expect. So if you're an Android user, buy this purely as a passive audio cable and don't count on the controls.
Avantree E171: Who It's For
The Avantree E171 is a different animal entirely — it's a finished pair of wired in-ear headphones, not a part. The headline feature is the ear-hook design, which wraps around the top of your ear for a secure fit. That, plus three sizes of silicone ear buds, is what makes it a running, jogging, and gym companion. If you've ever had a bud pop out mid-sprint, the hook is the whole reason to look here.
On sound, Avantree is refreshingly honest in the specs: it's tuned for a well-balanced profile with solid bass but an emphasis on mids and highs, and the company itself notes that if you want extra-strong bass, larger headphones are the better route. The driver is a dynamic type with a 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency range and 32 ohm impedance — standard, easy-to-drive numbers that most phones and laptops will handle without trouble. There's also sound isolation, which helps in noisy gyms.
Controls are where the E171 pulls ahead for general use. The in-line control handles play/pause, volume, track skipping, accepting or rejecting calls, activating the voice assistant, and redialing the last number. The built-in mic is pitched for clear calls and VoIP. And unlike the EARLA TEC cable, the 3.5mm gold-plated plug is described as compatible with most 3.5mm devices — iPhone, Android, iPad, MP3 players, Mac, laptop, tablet, desktop, and portable players. That's a much broader net.
The trade-offs: it's a wired earbud, so you're tethered; the ear-hook shape isn't everyone's preference; and at 25 g it's a light, plasticky-feeling product by nature. Who should buy it: runners, gym-goers, and call-takers who want one reliable wired pair that works across devices. Who should skip it: bass-heads, or Beats owners who only need a cord.
• Best for reviving Beats headphones → EARLA TEC Replacement Audio Cable. It's made specifically for Solo, Studio, Pro, Mixr, Executive, and Pill models.
• Best for running and gym use → Avantree E171. The ear-hook design and three tip sizes are built for movement.
• Best for device compatibility → Avantree E171. Its 3.5mm plug works with most phones, tablets, laptops, and players.
• Best for iPhone remote control → EARLA TEC Replacement Audio Cable. Its remote functions are designed for Apple devices.
• Best for Android button control → Avantree E171. Its in-line control is described as broadly compatible, unlike the Apple-only EARLA TEC remote.
• Best for bass-heavy listening → neither is a bass specialist, but the E171 is explicitly tuned for balance, so if thumping bass is your priority, look at larger headphones.
• Best for a complete out-of-the-box solution → Avantree E171. It's a finished product; the EARLA TEC cable only works if you already own compatible headphones.
• Best for cord length and flexibility → EARLA TEC Replacement Audio Cable. Its 1.4m TPU-coated cable with one straight and one L-shaped plug suits pocket and bag use.
In my opinion, these two products barely compete — they solve different problems, so the right answer depends entirely on what's already in your bag. If you own Beats headphones with a dead or missing cable, I'd buy the EARLA TEC Replacement Audio Cable; it's the cheapest-feeling way to keep gear you already like, as long as you're on an iPhone for the controls. If you want one pair of wired earbuds for running, the gym, and calls that just works across devices, I'd buy the Avantree E171 — its ear-hook fit and broad compatibility make it the more versatile pick for most people starting from scratch. Check the current price on Amazon before you decide, since both are budget-tier accessories where a small difference can tip the choice.
FAQ
The Avantree E171, clearly. Its ear-hook design and three silicone tip sizes are built to stay put during running and gym sessions. The EARLA TEC cable is a replacement cord, not a wearable earbud, so it isn't designed for exercise at all.
The mic and remote functions are specified to work only on Apple iPod, iPad, and iPhone — not Samsung or other non-Apple devices. On Android, treat it as a passive audio cable and expect the buttons to do nothing.
Yes. Its 3.5mm gold-plated plug is described as compatible with most 3.5mm devices, including iPhone, Android phones, iPad, MP3 players, laptops, tablets, and desktops. Just note that newer phones without a headphone jack will need an adapter.
They're aimed at different things. The E171 is a complete earbud tuned for balanced sound with solid bass and emphasis on mids and highs, plus sound isolation. The EARLA TEC cable doesn't produce sound itself — it just carries audio to your existing Beats headphones, so quality depends on the headphones, not the cord.
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: EARLA TEC Replacement Audio Cable vs QianLink 2: Aux Wired, MSI Gaming Headset vs EARLA TEC Replacement Audio Cable, Brenthaven Rugged 2 vs MINOCHI Replacement Audio Cable