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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-24 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• L LTGEM Case — biggest strength: a hard, waterproof EVA shell with a 360-degree zipper, a mesh accessory pocket and a steady hand strap, sized to fit Sony MDR-ZX110, ZX110AP and ZX310AP wired on-ear headphones.
• L LTGEM Case — biggest trade-off: it makes no sound at all. It is a storage and travel accessory, not a headphone, so it only makes sense if you already own a compatible Sony ZX model.
• JVC HA-S160M-V — biggest strength: a genuinely compact on-ear headphone — 66 grams, folds under an inch high, 30 mm neodymium dynamic drivers, plus a microphone and remote with a mic on/off switch for calls and online seminars.
• JVC HA-S160M-V — biggest trade-off: it is a full plastic-and-metal headphone, not a protective case, so it does not shield itself from crushing or water the way a hard shell does.
• Buy the L LTGEM Case if you already own Sony ZX-series on-ear headphones and want to carry them safely.
• Buy the JVC HA-S160M-V if you need the headphones themselves — light, foldable, wired, and ready for teleworking.
Let's be blunt about what this product is: it is a case, not a headphone. L LTGEM built it around the Sony MDR-ZX110, ZX110AP and ZX310AP wired on-ear models, and the interior is shaped for that specific family of headphones. If that is what you own, this is a tidy way to stop them rattling around loose in a bag.
The construction is where it earns its keep. The shell is EVA — ethylene vinyl acetate — which is the same foam-rubber family used in a lot of hard travel cases, and it is listed as a hard, waterproof enclosure. That combination matters more than it sounds. A hard shell resists the crushing pressure of a packed backpack or an overhead bin, and a waterproof rating means a spilled drink or a rainy commute is not automatically a dead headphone. There is a 360-degree zipper that runs the full perimeter, which makes opening and closing smooth rather than a fight, and a steady hand strap so you can carry it on its own without juggling.
Inside, there is a mesh pocket sized for accessories — a cable, an adapter, a dongle, whatever you keep with your headphones. The external dimensions are 7 x 5.2 x 1.8 inches and the case weighs 4.38 ounces, so it is light enough to disappear into a bag but still a defined, protective object rather than a soft pouch. The color is black and grey with a solid pattern, and it is aimed at adults.
Who should buy it: someone who already owns a compatible Sony ZX on-ear headphone and wants it protected during travel, commuting or storage. Who should skip it: anyone who does not own those headphones, and anyone shopping for sound. This case cannot play a note. If you need headphones, this is the wrong product entirely — no matter how good the case is.
This is the actual headphone in this comparison, and it is built around one idea: compact on-ear listening that travels well. The headline number is 66 grams. That is remarkably light for an on-ear headphone, and light weight is the single biggest factor in whether you keep a pair on for hours or yank them off after twenty minutes.
The second headline is the fold. JVC says it collapses to less than an inch high, which is the difference between a headphone that lives permanently in your bag and one that stays on your desk. Combined with a slim metallic headband and a glossy purple finish, it is clearly designed to be tossed in a backpack, handbag or briefcase without complaining.
On the audio side, you get 30 mm neodymium dynamic drivers with a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz frequency range and 32 ohm impedance. That impedance figure is worth noting — 32 ohms is a friendly load that a phone, laptop or tablet headphone jack drives without strain. The connection is a standard 3.5 mm wired jack, so there is no charging, no pairing, and no battery anxiety. Plug in and it works.
The microphone and remote are the feature that separates this from a plain music headphone. There is an inline volume control and a switch to turn the microphone on and off — a small detail, but a useful one for online seminars and meetings where you want to mute yourself fast without touching the laptop. The description positions it for teleworking and online seminars, and the hardware backs that up.
Comfort comes from soft padded ear pads, which also help isolate some ambient noise. That is sound isolation, not active noise cancellation — it is passive, from the pad sealing against your ear, so manage expectations accordingly. Who should buy it: remote workers, students, commuters and anyone who wants a light, foldable, wired on-ear headphone for calls and music. Who should skip it: anyone who needs active noise cancellation, wireless freedom, or a hard protective shell.
• You need to actually hear something → JVC HA-S160M-V. The L LTGEM Case is a container; only the JVC produces sound.
• You already own Sony ZX110 / ZX110AP / ZX310AP headphones → L LTGEM Case. It is sized for exactly those models.
• Best for travel protection → L LTGEM Case. Hard EVA shell, waterproof, 360-degree zipper, hand strap.
• Best for portability of the headphones themselves → JVC HA-S160M-V. 66 grams and folds under an inch high.
• Best for calls and online meetings → JVC HA-S160M-V. Microphone, remote, volume control and a mic on/off switch.
• Best for commuting and bag storage → depends. The JVC folds small; the L LTGEM Case protects what is inside it.
• Best for wired, no-battery simplicity → JVC HA-S160M-V. 3.5 mm jack, no charging required.
• Best for keeping cables and accessories together → L LTGEM Case. The inner mesh pocket is built for that.
• Best for passive noise isolation → JVC HA-S160M-V. Soft padded ear pads, though it is isolation, not cancellation.
• Best for anyone who owns neither → JVC HA-S160M-V. You cannot protect headphones you do not have.
In my opinion, if you are choosing between these two as a purchase, buy the JVC HA-S160M-V. It is the product that actually does something — 66 grams, folds flat, wired 3.5 mm connection, 30 mm drivers, and a mic with an on/off switch that makes it genuinely useful for teleworking. The L LTGEM Case is a well-designed accessory, and I would recommend it without hesitation to someone who already owns a compatible Sony ZX headphone. But a case only earns its place after you have the headphones. Buy the JVC first, and if you later want to protect a Sony ZX pair, that is when the L LTGEM Case makes sense.
FAQ
what are the best open ear headphones
are on ear headphones good
They can be, and the trade-off is simple. On-ear models like the JVC HA-S160M-V are typically lighter and more compact than over-ear designs — this one weighs just 66 grams and folds under an inch high — but they rely on soft padded ear pads for comfort and passive isolation rather than fully enclosing your ear. For commuting, calls and travel, that is a reasonable compromise.
are open ear headphones good
Again, this is a different category from what is on this page. The JVC HA-S160M-V is on-ear and wired, with a 3.5 mm jack and 32 ohm impedance. Whether open-ear is "good" depends on your priorities — but if you want the light, foldable, microphone-equipped option described here, the JVC is the one to look at.
are on ear headphones comfortable
Weight is the biggest factor, and the JVC HA-S160M-V is built for long sessions at 66 grams with soft padded ear pads. The L LTGEM Case is not worn at all, so comfort does not apply. If you want to compare current pricing on either product, check the latest price on Amazon using the button on this page.
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See also: Champs Ear Muffs vs ProCase Noise Cancelling Headphones, JVC Flats On-Ear vs Globalsades Dark Purple, BENGOO G9000 vs Rulefiss Earbuds: Large Over Ear Headphones