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
If you want a wired, sweat-resistant pair that stays locked onto your ears through hard training, choose Granvela GV1; if you need a wireless open-ear set with a charging case and all-day battery, choose Monster Open Ear AC210. Two different answers to the same IPX5 question — one is a gym tool, the other is an everyday companion.
• Granvela GV1 — biggest strength: a memory-wire over-ear hook plus an in-ear seal that stays put during running and lifting, at a weight of just 22 g.
• Granvela GV1 — biggest trade-off: it's wired with a 3.5 mm plug, so it only works with devices that still have a headphone jack, and the fit is fully in-ear.
• Monster Open Ear AC210 — biggest strength: a true open-ear design that never enters the ear canal, with Bluetooth 5.4, touch control and up to 30 hours of playback when you count the charging case.
• Monster Open Ear AC210 — biggest trade-off: no in-ear seal means no passive noise isolation, and the case adds bulk you have to carry.
• Pick Granvela GV1 if you want a stable, sealed in-ear fit for workouts and you're happy plugging into a 3.5 mm jack.
• Pick Monster Open Ear AC210 if you want wireless freedom, an open-ear feel, and long battery life for daily wear.
The GV1 is built around one idea: don't move. The memory-wire earhook bends to hook over the top of your ear, and the angled nozzles are shaped to sit into the ear canal at a natural angle. That combination is what keeps a wired earbud from tugging loose mid-run, and it's the reason this design has stuck around in sports audio for so long. At 22 g it's light enough that you stop noticing it once it's seated.
Sound-wise, it runs a 9 mm dynamic driver with a 20 Hz–20 kHz range, 16 ohm impedance and 90 dB sensitivity — easy specs to drive from a phone or laptop without needing a headphone amp. Granvela tunes it for "enhanced bass," which is the sensible choice for outdoor listening where traffic and wind eat into the low end. The in-ear seal also gives you passive noise isolation, so a noisy commute or a loud gym floor gets quieter without any electronics involved.
Who should skip it: if your phone has no 3.5 mm jack, this is a non-starter unless you carry an adapter. And if you want to hear traffic or conversation while you run, an in-ear design with noise isolation is the wrong tool — that's the open-ear crowd's job.
Monster Open Ear AC210: Who It's For
The AC210 goes the opposite direction: nothing goes inside your ear at all. The open-back design rests outside the canal, which Monster frames around comfort and hearing — no pinching of the auricle, no pressure build-up. If you've ever had earbuds ache after an hour, this is the shape that fixes it. The silicone construction and white finish keep it light against the skin.
The audio side is more ambitious than you'd expect from an open design. Monster uses dual 12 mm dynamic drivers with modified PI composite beryllium diaphragms, plus a DAC sound card rated at 30 mW of thrust, to push a wider, more three-dimensional soundstage. Bigger drivers moving more air is exactly how you compensate for the fact that an open earbud leaks sound in both directions. Frequency range is 20 Hz–20 kHz, same as the Granvela, but the 12 mm size is the more interesting number here.
Connectivity is Bluetooth 5.4 with a 10 m range, touch controls on the earbuds, and a Type-C charging case. Battery is quoted at up to 6 hours per charge and up to 30 hours combined with the case — that's the headline feature, and it's the reason this set works as an all-day daily driver rather than a workout-only pair. It's also IPX5 water resistant, so sweat and rain splashes are covered on the same terms as the Granvela. Weight is 0.16 kg including the case.
Who should buy it: commuters, remote workers, walkers, and anyone who wants to stay aware of their surroundings while listening. Open-ear is the right call for cycling near traffic, running on shared paths, or taking calls you need to hear yourself on. Who should skip it: if you want isolation on a plane or a loud train, an open design gives you none — noise control on the AC210 is listed as none, so the outside world comes in.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for long battery life → Monster Open Ear AC210. Up to 6 hours per charge and up to 30 hours with the case.
• Best for staying aware of traffic and surroundings → Monster Open Ear AC210. The open-back design never blocks your ear canal.
• Best for passive noise isolation → Granvela GV1. The in-ear seal blocks background sound without any electronics.
• Best for device compatibility → it depends on your phone. The GV1 needs a 3.5 mm jack; the AC210 pairs over Bluetooth 5.4 with a 10 m range.
• Best for a no-wires setup → Monster Open Ear AC210. Touch controls and a Type-C charging case mean nothing tethers you to your device.
• Best for comfort over long sessions → Monster Open Ear AC210. Nothing enters the ear canal, so there's no pressure to build up.
• Best for physical controls you can find by touch → Granvela GV1. A push-button in-line remote beats touch gestures with sweaty fingers.
• Best for a bigger driver and wider soundstage → Monster Open Ear AC210. Dual 12 mm drivers versus a single 9 mm unit.
In my opinion, the Monster Open Ear AC210 is the one I'd buy for most people. It's the more flexible product: wireless, a charging case that carries up to 30 hours of total playback, touch control, and an open-ear fit that stays comfortable for hours. The 12 mm dual drivers also give it more headroom than a single 9 mm unit. I'd only steer you to the Granvela GV1 if you specifically want a sealed, stable in-ear fit for training and your device still has a 3.5 mm jack — in that narrow case, the memory-wire hook is genuinely the better tool. Check the current price on Amazon for both before you decide.
FAQ
are headphones waterproof
are headphones water resistant
Some are, and these two qualify. IPX5 is a water-resistance rating, so both the GV1 and the AC210 are protected against sweat and splashing water. That's enough for running, gym sessions and commuting in the rain, but not for immersion.
Not universally — they solve different problems. The AC210 wins on wireless freedom, battery life (up to 30 hours with the case) and open-ear comfort. The GV1 wins on fit stability, passive noise isolation and not needing to be charged at all. Pick based on whether you want wires or not.
The Monster Open Ear AC210 doesn't — its noise control is listed as none, and an open design lets outside sound in by definition. The Granvela GV1 is the opposite approach: its in-ear seal gives you passive noise isolation without any active electronics.
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