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If you want a pair of ultra-portable on-ear headphones you can fold flat and slip into a bag without a second thought, choose JVC HAS160A; if you need a hard protective case to store and carry an existing pair of on-ear or over-ear headphones, choose XANAD Headphone Headset Case.
• JVC HAS160A — biggest strength: A flat foldable on-ear design with a 30mm dynamic driver and a rugged stainless-steel headband that's built for everyday carry.
• JVC HAS160A — biggest trade-off: It's a wired 3.5mm headphone with no active noise cancellation and no microphone, so it won't help with calls or block out a loud room on its own.
• XANAD Headphone Headset Case — biggest strength: A hard EVA shell wrapped in Oxford material that's shockproof, semi-waterproof and sized to hold a headphone plus cables and chargers.
• XANAD Headphone Headset Case — biggest trade-off: It's a case only — no headphones, no audio, just protection — and it fits specific on-ear and over-ear models, so you need to check compatibility before buying.
• Who JVC HAS160A is for: Someone who wants a lightweight, foldable wired headphone for commuting, study or travel.
• Who XANAD Headphone Headset Case is for: Someone who already owns a compatible on-ear or over-ear headphone and wants to protect it on the move.
The JVC HAS160A is a wired on-ear headphone built around one clear idea: get out of the way. The flat foldable design means the earcups fold down into a slim shape, so it disappears into a backpack pocket or a jacket without a bulky hard case taking up space. For anyone who already juggles too much gear on a commute, that flat-fold format is the whole point.
Inside, it uses a 1.18-inch (30mm) Neodymium dynamic driver with a frequency range of 12 Hz to 24,000 Hz and a 32-ohm impedance. Those numbers describe a headphone that's easy to drive from a phone, laptop or tablet without a separate amp, and the range covers deep bass through to crisp highs. The soft earpads are there for two jobs at once: comfort over long listening sessions, and passive sound isolation to take the edge off a noisy office or train carriage. The stainless-steel headband adjusts to fit and is built to survive daily use rather than a single trip.
This is the headphone I'd point someone toward if they want sound they don't have to charge, don't have to pair, and don't have to baby. Plug the 3.5mm slim plug in and go. Who should skip it? If you take a lot of calls, the HAS160A has no microphone, so it's the wrong tool — and if you want active noise cancellation for a flight, this isn't that either. It's also wired only, so anyone committed to a fully wireless setup should look elsewhere.
The XANAD Headphone Headset Case solves a different problem entirely: what happens to your headphones when you're not wearing them. It's a hard shell case made from EVA material covered in Oxford fabric, which gives it a semi-waterproof, shockproof and crush-resistant exterior with a soft-touch finish. That combination is what protects a headphone from dust, scratches, scuffs and the kind of pressure that squashes earcups at the bottom of a bag.
Size matters here, and XANAD is upfront about it: the external dimensions are 7.5 x 8.5 x 2.4 inches. That's roomy enough for on-ear and over-ear models, and there's enough interior space to stash a charging cable or two alongside the headphones. The compatibility list is genuinely broad — it names JBL Tune models (510BT, 520BT, 720BT, 770NC and others), Sony WH-CH520 and WH-CH720, Soundcore by Anker Life Q20, Q20i and Q30, Bose QuietComfort 45 and Ultra, plus BERIBES, KVIDIO, JLab JBuds Lux ANC and more. It's also available in multiple colors, so the case can match a setup rather than clash with it.
The people who should buy this are the ones who already own a compatible headphone and treat it as an investment worth protecting — students hauling gear between classes, commuters, or anyone who's ever pulled a cracked headphone out of a bag. The people who should skip it: anyone who doesn't yet own headphones, since the case contains no audio hardware at all, and anyone whose headphone isn't on the compatibility list, because an oversized or undersized case defeats the purpose.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for actually listening to music → JVC HAS160A. It's the only one of the two that produces sound.
• Best for packing light → JVC HAS160A. The flat foldable design collapses into a slim profile that slides into a bag.
• Best for travel with a full-size headphone → XANAD Headphone Headset Case. The 7.5 x 8.5 x 2.4-inch shell accommodates over-ear models and accessories.
• Best for long listening sessions → JVC HAS160A. Soft earpads and an adjustable steel headband are designed for extended use.
• Best for carrying cables and chargers → XANAD Headphone Headset Case. It has dedicated room for accessories beyond the headphones themselves.
• Best for calls → neither. The HAS160A has no microphone, and the case is not a headset.
• Best for a gift → XANAD Headphone Headset Case. A hard case in a choice of colors works for a friend, family member or student who already owns headphones.
• Best if you want zero setup → JVC HAS160A. Wired 3.5mm connection, no pairing, no charging.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the JVC HAS160A — assuming I actually needed headphones. It's a complete product: a foldable, wired on-ear headphone with a 30mm driver, a durable steel headband and soft earpads, ready to use the moment you plug it in. The XANAD case is excellent at what it does, but it's an accessory, not a purchase that gets you listening. In my opinion, the case only wins if you already own a compatible on-ear or over-ear headphone and specifically want to protect it. Buy the JVC first; add the case later if you want to keep your gear safe. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
how to use external headphones on mac
Plug the JVC HAS160A's 3.5mm slim plug into your Mac's headphone jack and the audio should route to it automatically; the 32-ohm impedance means it drives easily without extra gear. If your Mac has no headphone jack, you'll need an adapter, which the XANAD case has room to store.
how to connect mobile headphones
The JVC HAS160A is a wired headphone, so connecting it means plugging the 3.5mm jack into your phone — no pairing or charging required. Note that it has no microphone, so it's for listening rather than calls. Phones without a headphone jack need an adapter.
how to connect c port headphones
The JVC HAS160A uses a standard 3.5mm jack, not USB-C, so on a USB-C-only device you'd need a 3.5mm-to-USB-C adapter. Once connected, it works as a straightforward wired headphone with no software setup.
how to pack headphones
For the JVC HAS160A, fold it flat using the flat foldable design and slide it into a bag pocket. If you're packing a larger on-ear or over-ear headphone, the XANAD case's 7.5 x 8.5 x 2.4-inch hard EVA shell protects it from dust, scratches, shock and crushing, with room left for a cable.
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See also: JVC HA-S23W vs GWCASE Universal Headphone Case, ThtRht 2 vs XANAD Headphone Case, Keewonda KW-X10 vs L LTGEM Headphone Headset Case