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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want all-day open-ear awareness with a clip-on fit and multipoint switching, choose JVC Nearphones Open Ear; if you need active noise canceling with cushioned on-ear cups for immersive listening, choose SOAR NBA Active Noise.
• JVC Nearphones Open Ear — biggest strength: a true open-ear ear-clip design with Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint pairing and 24 hours of playback that keeps you aware of your surroundings.
• JVC Nearphones Open Ear — biggest trade-off: the open-air design simply won't get as loud as sealed earbuds or on-ear cups, and there's no active noise canceling here.
• SOAR NBA Active Noise — biggest strength: active noise cancellation paired with 40mm drivers and soft cushioned earcups, tuned for rich bass and fewer distractions.
• SOAR NBA Active Noise — biggest trade-off: 8 hours per charge and a 5-hour recharge window mean it needs more planning than the JVC's 24 hours and 2-hour charge.
• Pick JVC Nearphones Open Ear if you run, commute on foot, wear glasses, or want music that never blocks the world out.
• Pick SOAR NBA Active Noise if you want to disappear into your audio on a plane, train or desk and you like team graphics on your gear.
The JVC Nearphones Open Ear (model HANP1T) is built around a single idea: put the sound at your outer ear instead of inside it. Dynamic drivers with a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range and 16-ohm impedance deliver audio through an open-air path, so nothing plugs your canal. That means traffic, a passing cyclist, a colleague at your desk, or your own breathing on a run all stay audible while your music or podcast plays. The clip-on clasp wraps around the outer ear rather than pressing into it, and JVC's own materials note the design suits glasses, headbands and earrings — a real advantage if regular earbuds constantly fight your frames.
Battery is where this one pulls ahead for everyday users. The spec sheet lists 24 hours of average playback and a 2-hour charge time, which is a genuinely long stretch for true wireless. Bluetooth 5.3 keeps the link stable with a 10-meter range, and multipoint lets you hold two devices at once — your phone and laptop, for example — then jump between a call and a meeting with a button press. Controls are physical buttons rather than touch, which I personally prefer because it removes accidental taps during a run. IPX4 water resistance covers sweat and light rain, and the jewelry-inspired metallic arch comes in a maroon finish with a brown carrying case — a look that leans accessory more than gym gear.
SOAR NBA Active Noise: Who It's For
The SOAR NBA Active Noise headphone takes the opposite approach. These are on-ear cups with soft cushioning, 40mm dynamic drivers, and active noise cancellation that reduces background noise around you. The result is the classic over-the-ear experience: crisp highs, present mids and deeper bass, with the low-end weight that only comes from larger drivers and a sealed cup. For flights, noisy trains, open-plan offices, or just focusing on a mix, that combination is hard to beat. It's also officially licensed team merchandise, so the graphics are the point for a lot of buyers — this is gear that says who you root for.
Connectivity is Bluetooth 5.3 with a stated range of up to 30 feet, roughly triple the JVC's 10 meters, which matters if you like to leave your phone on a counter and wander. Controls are push-button media controls on the ear cup for volume, tracks and calls, and the headset includes a mini USB cord in the box. Weight is listed at 1.6 pounds, so this is a substantial piece of hardware rather than something you forget you're wearing.
The trade-offs are real, though. Battery life is 8 hours with a 5-hour charge time — a fraction of the JVC's 24 hours and a much slower top-up, so you'll be reaching for the cable most evenings. And while the spec sheet mentions "on-ear" placement in the product details, the description talks about cushioned earcups and the title says over-the-ear; either way, expect a closed, padded fit rather than the open-air feel of the JVC. If you wear glasses, thick frames plus cushioned cups can create pressure points over long sessions — worth knowing before you commit.
Who should buy it: travelers, remote workers who need to mute the room, bass lovers, team fans, and anyone who wants one pair for music, calls and streaming with noise canceling doing the heavy lifting. Who should skip it: runners and cyclists who need to hear traffic, people who hate charging daily, and anyone who wants to stay aware of their surroundings.
• Best for battery life → JVC Nearphones Open Ear. 24 hours per charge versus 8 hours.
• Best for fast top-ups → JVC Nearphones Open Ear. A 2-hour charge time against the SOAR's 5 hours.
• Best for blocking out noise → SOAR NBA Active Noise. Active noise cancellation and sealed cups versus sound isolation only.
• Best for bass and immersion → SOAR NBA Active Noise. 40mm drivers in cushioned on-ear cups versus open-air dynamic drivers.
• Best for awareness and safety → JVC Nearphones Open Ear. Open-ear design keeps you tuned into traffic and conversation.
• Best for glasses and small ears → JVC Nearphones Open Ear. The ear-clasp design avoids canal pressure and sits around your frames.
• Best for range and roaming → SOAR NBA Active Noise. Up to 30 feet of Bluetooth range versus 10 meters on the JVC.
• Best for workouts and light rain → JVC Nearphones Open Ear. IPX4 water resistance is explicitly rated for sweat and weather.
• Best for team pride → SOAR NBA Active Noise. Officially licensed graphics are the whole point of this model.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the JVC Nearphones Open Ear. In my opinion, the 24-hour battery, 2-hour charge, multipoint switching, IPX4 rating and glasses-friendly clip cover more of my actual day — commuting, running, calls, working — than any single feature on the SOAR. The SOAR NBA Active Noise is the better choice if noise canceling and deep bass are non-negotiable for you, and for flights or a loud office I'd genuinely recommend it. But as a do-everything daily pair, the JVC wins on flexibility. Check the current price on Amazon before you decide, since that's the one variable that can flip this call.
how do wireless bluetooth headphones work
Both models stream audio wirelessly over Bluetooth from your phone, laptop or console. The JVC Nearphones Open Ear and SOAR NBA Active Noise each use Bluetooth 5.3 for pairing and playback, with the JVC rated to about 10 meters and the SOAR up to 30 feet.
how to put wireless headphones in pairing mode
The exact button sequence varies by brand, so follow the manual that ships with your pair. Once in pairing mode, the headset becomes visible to your device and you select it from the Bluetooth list. Both the JVC and SOAR support Bluetooth 5.3 for that connection.
how connect bluetooth headphones to phone
Open your phone's Bluetooth settings, make sure Bluetooth is on, then select the headphone from the available devices list. The JVC Nearphones Open Ear adds multipoint, so you can keep it linked to a phone and a laptop at the same time and switch with a button press.
how to connect sony wh ch520 on ear wireless bluetooth headphones
That's a different brand, so the steps come from Sony's own instructions rather than anything here. The general flow is the same as any Bluetooth headset: power on, enter pairing mode, then pick it in your phone's Bluetooth menu. If you're comparing on-ear options, the SOAR NBA Active Noise follows that same basic pairing routine.
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