How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-01 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
Empsun Earbuds Headphones vs Tnyvm Orange Retro at a Glance
• Empsun Earbuds Headphones biggest strength: a sealed in-ear fit that minimizes outside noise, plus an in-line microphone for calls and track control.
• Empsun Earbuds Headphones biggest trade-off: it's wired to a 3.5 mm jack, and the in-line control does not include volume — so you'll adjust volume on your phone.
• Tnyvm Orange Retro biggest trade-off: the open-ear design lets sound in as well as out, so it won't seal you off from a noisy commute the way an in-ear set can.
• Pick Empsun Earbuds Headphones if you want private, isolating listening and cable-based call control for the gym, commuting or games.
• Pick Tnyvm Orange Retro if you want on-ear comfort, ambient awareness and a portable set you can wear for hours without anything pushed into your ear canal.
The Empsun set is a classic wired in-ear headphone built around three ideas: isolation, bass and convenience. The earpieces sit inside your ear canal, and the design notes call out a "great seal" that minimizes outside noise so the music comes through clearly. Inside, a dynamic driver covers a 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz range with what the specs describe as balanced tuning and deep bass. In practice, that's a tuning aimed at everyday listening — pop, hip-hop, podcasts and game audio — rather than studio-style neutrality.
The second half of the story is the cable. There's an in-line microphone with a push button that handles calls, play/pause and track skipping forward and back. That's genuinely useful: you can take a call or change songs without pulling your phone out of a pocket. The catch, stated plainly in the specs, is that this control does not include volume — you still adjust loudness on the device itself. The 3.5 mm jack means it works with anything that has a standard headphone socket: phones, tablets, laptops, MP3 players and iPods. Note the mixed connectivity listing in the specs — the wired 3.5 mm jack is the real connection here; treat the Bluetooth mention as an inconsistency in the listing rather than a feature.
Who should buy it: anyone who wants a sealed, isolating in-ear fit, cable-based call control and a simple plug-and-play setup with no charging. It's particularly well suited to the gym, jogging or hiking, where the ergonomic in-ear shape is designed to stay put and the isolation helps mask background noise. The build uses metal, plastic, rubber and silicone, and the package is a single pair in black.
Who should skip it: if you dislike things sitting inside your ear canal, want to stay aware of traffic or coworkers, need volume buttons on the cable, or want a wireless connection, this isn't the pair for you. And if you've moved on from 3.5 mm sockets, look elsewhere.
The Tnyvm Orange Retro is the other philosophy entirely. These are on-ear headphones — round earpieces that sit against your ear rather than inside it — with cushioned cups and an open-ear design. The frame has an adjustable headband so you can size it to your head, and the whole thing is built to be light enough to wear for long stretches. The look is deliberately nostalgic: bright orange, foam-and-metal-and-plastic construction, retro theme throughout.
Because the cups are open rather than sealed, ambient sound reaches you. That's the defining trade-off. On a train or a busy street you'll hear more of the world than you would with a sealed in-ear set. But for a lot of people that's the point: you can listen to music on a walk, at a desk or around the house and still hear a doorbell, a car, or someone talking to you. The specs list passive noise cancellation, which in an open on-ear design means the physical cups reduce some high-frequency noise rather than actively cancelling anything. Don't expect silence.
On the audio side there's a 40 mm dynamic driver, 32 ohm impedance, 105 dB sensitivity and the same 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz frequency range as the Empsun. A 40 mm driver in an on-ear cup generally moves more air than a small in-ear driver, which is part of why on-ear sets have their own character. There's also an in-line control on the cable with push-button operation. Connection is a wired 3.5 mm jack — no batteries, no charging, nothing to remember before you leave.
Who should buy it: travelers, commuters who want to stay aware, desk workers, students, and anyone who values on-ear comfort and retro styling over maximum isolation. The compact, lightweight design is explicitly pitched at travel and everyday use.
Who should skip it: if you need to block out a noisy environment, want a sealed fit, or want a pair that stays put during intense exercise, the open on-ear design works against you. And note the warranty description simply says "No" — factor that into your expectations.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for noise isolation → Empsun Earbuds Headphones. The sealed in-ear fit is designed to minimize outside noise; the Tnyvm's open cups deliberately let it in.
• Best for hands-free calls → Empsun Earbuds Headphones. The in-line microphone is built for answering, ending and managing calls from the cable.
• Best for all-day wear comfort → Tnyvm Orange Retro. Adjustable headband, cushioned cups and a lightweight frame, with nothing inserted into your ear canal.
• Best for travel and portability → Tnyvm Orange Retro. The compact on-ear format is explicitly designed for travel and everyday carry.
• Best for the gym, running and hiking → Empsun Earbuds Headphones. The ergonomic in-ear shape is designed to stay put during movement, and isolation helps cover gym noise.
• Best for bass-forward everyday listening → Empsun Earbuds Headphones. Deep bass and stereo tuning are the stated focus of the driver.
• Best for retro style → Tnyvm Orange Retro. That's the whole design brief: classic looks, orange finish, on-ear nostalgia.
• Best for zero-charging simplicity → either. Both are wired with a 3.5 mm jack, so neither needs a battery — just check your device still has the socket.
In my opinion, the Empsun Earbuds Headphones are the better buy for most people, because they solve the two problems that actually annoy you day to day: outside noise and taking calls. The in-line mic, the isolating in-ear seal and the deep-bass tuning cover commuting, workouts and casual listening in one small, simple package, and the 12-month hassle-free protection is a nice bit of reassurance. I'd steer you to the Tnyvm Orange Retro instead if comfort and awareness matter more to you than isolation — if you hate in-ear fit, want to hear traffic, or simply want a lightweight retro set for travel and desk listening. That's a real, defensible choice, not a consolation prize. Whichever way you lean, check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
FAQ
what are the best open ear headphones
are on ear headphones good
On-ear headphones are a strong choice if comfort and portability matter to you. The Tnyvm Orange Retro uses cushioned round cups, an adjustable headband and a lightweight build for all-day wear, and its open design keeps you aware of your surroundings. The trade-off is that they don't seal out noise the way an in-ear pair does.
are open ear headphones good
Open-ear headphones are good when you want to hear your environment — walking, cycling, commuting or working around other people. The Tnyvm Orange Retro is built exactly for that, with open cups that let ambient sound in. If you'd rather block the world out, choose the Empsun's sealed in-ear design instead.
what are the best in-ear headphones
For in-ear headphones, look for a secure ergonomic fit, a good seal and useful cable controls. The Empsun Earbuds Headphones check those boxes: an in-ear design meant to minimize outside noise, deep bass tuning, and an in-line mic for calls and track control — with the caveat that the in-line control doesn't include volume.
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: QXUFV Earbuds vs XIAOWTEK Earbuds, HyperX vs Wentronic Y05, Audio-Technica ATH-M40x vs Rockville PRO-M50, KLIM Nomad Transparent vs Coby Noise-Canceling Earbuds w/Charging