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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want audiophile-grade sound from a hybrid dual-driver setup, choose ICESOMNUS Sabbat E16; if you need active noise cancelling with a longer 30-hour runtime, choose Sudio N3.
• ICESOMNUS Sabbat E16 — biggest strength: a coaxial dual-driver design (dynamic + balanced armature) with Qualcomm aptX over Bluetooth 5.2, aimed squarely at listeners who care about detail and soundstage.
• ICESOMNUS Sabbat E16 — biggest trade-off: it uses environmental noise cancellation and button controls rather than true active noise cancelling, and its stated single-charge playtime is around 6 hours.
• Sudio N3 — biggest strength: active noise cancelling, Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint connection, and up to 30 hours of playtime in a sweat- and splashproof, partly recycled build.
• Sudio N3 — biggest trade-off: it relies on a single dynamic driver and touch controls, so it prioritizes convenience and quiet over the layered driver architecture some audiophiles chase.
• Who each pick is for: the E16 is for the detail-obsessed listener; the N3 is for the commuter or traveler who wants noise blocked out all day.
The Sabbat E16 is built around one idea: give music lovers more texture in the sound. It pairs a 10 mm dynamic driver with a balanced armature driver in a coaxial layout, so the dynamic side handles the low end while the balanced armature pulls out vocals and fine detail. In my opinion, that split is the most interesting thing about this earbud — it is the kind of architecture usually reserved for gear aimed at people who listen actively rather than casually.
The rest of the spec sheet backs that up. Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX, AAC and SBC support means compatible Android phones can stream at higher quality than plain SBC allows, and the 20 Hz–20 kHz range with 106 dB sensitivity and 32 ohm impedance is a fairly standard, easy-to-drive profile. The 40 ms audio latency figure is worth noting if you watch a lot of video — it is low enough that lip-sync should stay tight for most people. Environmental noise cancellation, button controls, USB-C charging and a Qi wireless charging case round out a package that feels deliberate rather than flashy.
So who should buy it? The listener who keeps a curated playlist, notices when cymbals smear, and wants a hybrid-driver sound without stepping into wired territory. It is also a good fit if you prefer physical buttons over touch taps, since button control is far less fussy with gloves or in the rain. Who should skip it? Anyone whose main priority is silencing a noisy train or a loud office. Environmental noise cancellation is not the same as active noise cancelling, and the E16 leans on its in-ear seal rather than powered noise cancellation to reduce what you hear. If you need a full day of playback between charges, the roughly 6-hour single-charge figure and 30-hour case total will feel limiting compared to some rivals. And if you use an iPhone, you will fall back to AAC rather than aptX, so you lose part of the E16's streaming advantage.
The Sudio N3 Pro takes the opposite approach. Instead of chasing driver architecture, it chases calm and convenience. Active noise cancelling is the headline, and it is paired with silicone eartips in four sizes so you can get a proper seal — which matters, because ANC and a good seal work together. The stated 30 hours of playtime is the number most people will notice first, and it is a genuinely different proposition from the E16's shorter single-charge window.
The connectivity story is also more modern. Bluetooth 5.4 is a newer version than the E16's 5.2, and multipoint connection lets you stay paired to more than one device at once — handy if you move between a laptop and a phone during the day, or want to share the earbuds with someone else without re-pairing constantly. Touch controls keep the surface clean. The build uses plastic and silicone with 20% recycled plastics, and the earbuds are described as sweat and splashproof, which points to gym sessions, sweaty commutes and light rain rather than swimming.
The design leans lifestyle: a case shaped to feel smooth in the hand and slip into a pocket, a metallic finish, and a blue colorway. Who should buy it? The commuter, the open-office worker, the frequent flyer — anyone who wants the background turned down and the battery to last through a long day. Who should skip it? If your priority is extracting the last bit of nuance from a well-mastered recording, the N3's single dynamic driver is a simpler design than the E16's hybrid setup. There is also no headphone jack on either, so wired listening is off the table for both. And note the warranty terms differ: Sudio lists a one-year manufacturer warranty, while the E16 references a three-part guarantee covering repair, replacement and compensation for faulty units.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for sound detail and layering → ICESOMNUS Sabbat E16. A dynamic plus balanced armature coaxial design is a meaningfully different approach from a single driver.
• Best for battery life → Sudio N3. Up to 30 hours of playtime versus roughly 6 hours per charge on the E16.
• Best for higher-quality wireless streaming on Android → ICESOMNUS Sabbat E16. aptX support over Bluetooth 5.2 is the differentiator; the N3 does not list aptX.
• Best for switching between devices → Sudio N3. Multipoint connection and Bluetooth 5.4 make juggling a phone and a laptop easier.
• Best for workouts and light rain → Sudio N3. Sweat- and splashproof rating plus four eartip sizes for a secure fit.
• Best for physical controls → ICESOMNUS Sabbat E16. Button control beats touch when your hands are cold, wet or gloved.
• Best for wireless charging convenience → ICESOMNUS Sabbat E16. A Qi wireless charging case means you can drop it on a pad instead of hunting for a cable.
If I had to pick one, I would buy the ICESOMNUS Sabbat E16. In my opinion, the hybrid coaxial driver setup is the more interesting piece of engineering, and aptX support plus button controls fit how I actually listen — actively, on Android, with a preference for physical controls. The trade-off is real: less battery life and no true ANC. But if your day is defined by noisy commutes and you want noise cancelling with a much longer runtime, I would recommend the Sudio N3 instead. Buy for the sound you want, not the spec sheet you can brag about.
Yes. The N3 lists active noise cancelling, which uses powered circuitry to reduce background sound. The E16 lists environmental noise cancellation, which is a milder, seal-dependent approach. For planes, trains and open offices, the N3 is the more effective choice.
The Sudio N3. It is rated for up to 30 hours of playtime, while the E16 gives roughly 6 hours per charge with about 30 hours total when you count the charging case. If you dislike mid-day charging, the N3 is the safer pick.
Yes. The E16's case supports Qi wireless charging in addition to USB-C, and it charges in about an hour. The Sudio N3's listed included items mention a wireless charging case, but the E16 is the one that explicitly calls out Qi wireless charging in its feature set.
For pure audio transmission, the ICESOMNUS Sabbat E16 has the edge thanks to aptX support on Bluetooth 5.2, which many Android phones can use. The Sudio N3 runs Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint, which is better for staying connected to several devices at once. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since that is the one number this comparison deliberately leaves to the retailer.
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See also: ICESOMNUS Sabbat G12 vs Nothing Ear: TWS Earbuds, AUDIRA Mini vs MUSICOZY Sleep Mask: Wireless Sleep Earbuds, Hsility Earbuds vs Monster Achieve 100: True Wireless Stereo