How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want an affordable wired in-ear pair with punchy bass and a mic for calls on the go, choose JBL Tune 110; if you need to restore a pair of Sony MDR-M1 reference monitor headphones with fresh, comfortable ear cushions, choose SOULWIT Earpads Replacement.
• JBL Tune 110 — biggest strength: JBL Pure Bass tuning in a lightweight 9.07 g wired in-ear with a 1-button remote and mic, plus a tangle-free flat cable.
• JBL Tune 110 — biggest trade-off: It's a basic wired in-ear with sound isolation rather than active noise cancelling, and no wireless mode despite the Bluetooth mention in its listing data.
• SOULWIT Earpads Replacement — biggest strength: High-density memory foam and soft protein leather cushions built specifically for the Sony MDR-M1, designed to refresh worn pads.
• SOULWIT Earpads Replacement — biggest trade-off: It only fits the Sony MDR-M1 — it is not a headphone, and it does nothing for any other model.
• Pick JBL Tune 110 if you want a cheap everyday wired earphone for music, podcasts and calls.
• Pick SOULWIT Earpads Replacement if you already own Sony MDR-M1 reference monitor headphones and the pads are flattened or flaking.
The JBL Tune 110 is a wired in-ear headphone built around one idea: big, easy bass. JBL calls it Pure Bass sound, and the specs back up the intent — a 16 ohm dynamic driver covering the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range. That low impedance matters more than most people realize. It means the Tune 110 is easy to drive from a phone, a laptop headphone jack, a cheap MP3 player or a gaming controller. You don't need an amp or a dongle with a powerful output stage to get decent volume out of it.
The physical design is aimed squarely at everyday carry. The earpieces use rounded tips that insert into the ear canal, which gives you passive sound isolation — the tips block some outside noise rather than cancelling it electronically. The cable is flat, which is the practical fix for the pocket-tangle problem that plagues round cables. There's a single-button remote with a microphone on the cable, so you can take calls and pause music without pulling out your phone. At 9.07 g, you'll forget you're wearing them. The set ships in blue with a matching carrying case.
Who should buy it? Anyone who wants a simple, wired, bass-forward earphone for commuting, walking, the gym, or as a backup pair that lives in a bag. It's also a reasonable first headphone for a kid — the listing even notes a kid age range. The 3.5 mm jack means it works with anything that still has a headphone port.
Who should skip it? If you want wireless freedom, active noise cancelling for a noisy train, or a neutral, analytical sound for critical listening, this isn't that product. It's a fun, bass-heavy consumer earphone, not a monitoring tool. And if you already own a pair of serious over-ear headphones with worn pads, the Tune 110 doesn't solve that problem at all.
The SOULWIT Earpads Replacement is a completely different category of product, and that's the whole point of this comparison. It isn't a headphone. It's a set of replacement ear cushions made exclusively for the Sony MDR-M1 Professional Reference Closed Monitor Headphones. SOULWIT is explicit about this: verify your model before buying, because these pads are cut to fit one specific headphone.
The materials are the story here. The pads use high-density memory foam wrapped in soft protein leather. Memory foam is what gives a pad its ability to compress, recover and keep sealing against your head over a long session — which is exactly what you want on a reference monitor headphone used for mixing, tracking or long editing days in a home studio. Protein leather is the soft, smooth-facing material that most people associate with comfortable, premium-feeling pads, and it's easier on the skin than rougher fabrics.
Why would anyone buy pads instead of new headphones? Because pads are the first thing to wear out on any over-ear model. Foam flattens, the covering cracks, the seal weakens and the bass response changes with it. Replacing just the pads is the practical way to keep a good pair of monitor headphones in service instead of replacing the whole thing. SOULWIT frames this as revitalizing your headphones and giving them a fresh look — and for a black-on-black match with the MDR-M1, that's a clean result.
Installation is described as straightforward, with a clear guide included. That matters, because pad swapping on some models requires stretching a lip over a mounting ring, and a good guide turns a fiddly job into a five-minute one.
Who should buy it? Sony MDR-M1 owners whose original pads are worn, flattened, peeling or uncomfortable. Also anyone who wants a spare set on hand before the originals give out. Who should skip it? Anyone who doesn't own MDR-M1 headphones. There's no universal fit here, and SOULWIT's own listing says as much. If you own a different brand or model, this is simply the wrong part.
• Best for bass-forward everyday listening → JBL Tune 110. Pure Bass tuning, 16 ohm impedance, works from any 3.5 mm jack.
• Best for making calls → JBL Tune 110. The 1-button remote includes a microphone.
• Best for pocket-friendly cable management → JBL Tune 110. The flat cable resists tangling.
• Best for restoring reference monitor headphones → SOULWIT Earpads Replacement. It exists solely to refresh the Sony MDR-M1.
• Best for long listening comfort on an over-ear → SOULWIT Earpads Replacement. High-density memory foam plus soft protein leather.
• Best for studio and critical-listening setups → SOULWIT Earpads Replacement. A monitor headphone with a proper seal is the foundation; worn pads undermine it.
• Best for a kid or a cheap backup pair → JBL Tune 110. Lightweight, wired, and simple.
• Best for anyone who doesn't own Sony MDR-M1 → JBL Tune 110. The pads are model-locked; the earphones work with almost anything.
These two products don't really compete — they solve different problems, and I'd pick based on which problem you actually have. In my opinion, if you need a headphone today, the JBL Tune 110 is the sensible buy: wired, lightweight, bass-heavy, with a mic, and it plugs into anything. But if you already own Sony MDR-M1 reference monitor headphones and the pads are shot, the SOULWIT Earpads Replacement is the smarter spend — it's the difference between a comfortable, properly sealing monitor headphone and one you stop wanting to wear. My pick for most readers starting from zero is the JBL Tune 110.
FAQ
what is studio monitor headphones
what are reference studio headphones
Reference studio headphones are built to a flat, predictable response so engineers can trust what they hear while mixing or editing. They're typically closed-back or open-back over-ears with replaceable parts — which is exactly why SOULWIT makes replacement pads for the MDR-M1.
what are studio monitor headphones
Same idea as above: monitoring-focused over-ears with a neutral tuning, used in studios and home setups. They're a different animal from the JBL Tune 110, which is a consumer in-ear tuned for punchy bass rather than accuracy.
can you connect headphones to monitor
Yes — monitor headphones connect the same way any headphone does, usually via a 3.5 mm jack or a larger plug with an adapter, straight into your interface, mixer or laptop. The JBL Tune 110 uses a standard 3.5 mm jack, and the MDR-M1 connects the same way.
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: Philips Active Noise Cancelling vs Amazon Renewed JBL Tune 720BT, Nabevi Headphones vs SOULWIT Cooling Gel Earpads: On Ear, SIMOLIO Manyshare Series vs JBL Tune 520C: Wired Headphones