If you want lightweight, fold-flat on-ear headphones with a simple, compact design for big ears, choose JVC HA-S23W; if you need over-ear coverage, active noise cancellation, and longer battery life, choose Altec Lansing ComfortQ 2.0. The key distinction is fit: the JVC rests on the ears, while the Altec Lansing is designed to go around them.
For big ears, I’d focus first on that difference rather than assuming either model will fit comfortably without trying it.
If you want lightweight, fold-flat on-ear headphones with a simple, compact design for big ears, choose JVC HA-S23W; if you need over-ear coverage, active noise cancellation, and longer battery life, choose Altec Lansing ComfortQ 2.0. The key distinction is fit: the JVC rests on the ears, while the Altec Lansing is designed to go around them.
For big ears, I’d focus first on that difference rather than assuming either model will fit comfortably without trying it.
• JVC HA-S23W: Lightweight on-ear design, adjustable headband, and a flat-folding swivel build; its main trade-off is that it rests directly on the ears and has no noise control.
• Altec Lansing ComfortQ 2.0: Over-ear construction, active noise cancellation, and up to 50 hours of wireless playback; it is a larger style of headphone, and its stated battery life drops to 30 hours with ANC on.
• JVC HA-S23W: A good fit for someone who values a simple, foldable pair with physical playback and call controls.
• Altec Lansing ComfortQ 2.0: A better match for someone who wants over-ear coverage, noise reduction, multipoint pairing, and long listening sessions.
• For big ears: Choose based on whether you prefer a headphone that rests on your ears or one designed to surround them; neither product sheet gives ear-cup dimensions.
The JVC HA-S23W is a wireless on-ear headphone with Bluetooth 5.0, soft ear pads, and an adjustable headband. Its lightweight build and flat-folding swivel design make it the more compact option of these two. That combination suits everyday listening when you want headphones that can fold down for storage rather than a bulky over-ear shape.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-17 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
For big ears, the important compromise is the on-ear fit. The ear pads rest on the ears instead of enclosing them, so this design may not be the one to choose if you specifically want over-ear coverage. The product information does not provide ear-pad dimensions, and comfort depends on individual fit. I’d skip the JVC if active noise cancellation is a must; its listed noise control is none.
The Altec Lansing ComfortQ 2.0 is the over-ear option. Its earcups are designed to go around the ears, which may make it the more natural starting point for someone who dislikes on-ear pressure. The sheet doesn’t give cup measurements, though, so “over-ear” alone cannot guarantee that the openings will fully clear every ear.
Its major functional difference is active noise cancellation. Altec Lansing says the ANC can reduce ambient noise by up to 20 dB. That may suit a commute, a flight, or a work area where reducing surrounding sound matters. ANC is not the same as eliminating every outside sound, and the stated figure should not be read as a promise that every environment will seem quiet.
Battery life is listed as up to 50 hours wirelessly, or up to 30 hours with ANC activated. Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint pairing let the headphones connect to two devices at once, a useful feature if you move between a computer and phone. The trade-off is that this is the larger over-ear style, and its longer endurance comes with a lower stated figure when noise cancellation is on. If a compact on-ear form is your priority, the JVC is the simpler match.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for lightweight, fold-flat carrying → JVC HA-S23W. Its lightweight build and flat-folding swivel design are the clearest portability advantages.
• Best for reducing ambient noise → Altec Lansing ComfortQ 2.0. It includes active noise cancellation, whereas the JVC lists no noise control.
• Best stated battery life with ANC off → Altec Lansing ComfortQ 2.0. It lists up to 50 hours, compared with 17 hours for the JVC.
• Best for longer listening with ANC enabled → Altec Lansing ComfortQ 2.0. Its stated ANC-on battery life is up to 30 hours, still above the JVC’s listed 17 hours, though the JVC does not have ANC.
• Best for simple on-head controls → JVC HA-S23W. Its three-button remote covers volume, play/pause, and calls.
• Best for switching between two connected devices → Altec Lansing ComfortQ 2.0. Multipoint pairing is listed for this model.
• Best if you want a rechargeable Bluetooth headphone rather than earbuds → either, depending on fit. These are both over-ear or on-ear headphones, not true wireless earbuds. For big ears, choose between the JVC’s on-ear contact and the Altec Lansing’s over-ear design; the provided information cannot establish which one will fit you better.
I’d choose the Altec Lansing ComfortQ 2.0 for big ears because its over-ear design is the more relevant starting point if I want the earcups to surround my ears, and it adds ANC and longer stated battery life. I would still check the fit carefully, since no earcup dimensions are provided. If I wanted a lighter, flatter-folding on-ear headphone and didn’t need noise cancellation, I’d pick the JVC HA-S23W instead. Neither model is a bone-conduction headphone, so shoppers seeking the best volume-limiting bone conduction headphones for big ears should look at a different category.
FAQ
The Altec Lansing lists up to 30 hours with ANC activated. The JVC lists 17 hours of battery life and has no noise control, so the two figures describe different listening setups.
The Altec Lansing includes active noise cancellation, which is specified to reduce ambient noise by up to 20 dB. The JVC lists no noise control. ANC reduces noise; it does not mean all external sound disappears.
They are headphones, not true wireless earbuds: the JVC is on-ear and the Altec Lansing is over-ear. If you want rechargeable Bluetooth headphones for big ears, compare their fit styles first; if you specifically want earbuds, neither is the right product type.
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