If you want a hands-free, open-ear headset for teens who need to stay in conversation while hearing what is happening around them, choose Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR; if you need Bluetooth headphones for everyday listening, calls, and switching between two devices, choose TP Philips CENTURY 9000. The key difference is purpose: Eartec is an add-on for a specific intercom system, while Philips is a personal listening headset.
• Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR: Its strongest point is hands-free, full-duplex communication with an existing PRO16 crew, plus an open-ear design. Its main trade-off is that it cannot work on its own: an existing compatible PRO16 system is required.
• TP Philips CENTURY 9000: Its strongest point is everyday Bluetooth listening with up to 26 hours of battery life and multipoint for two connected devices. Its trade-off is that its over-ear design covers both ears, unlike Eartec’s single-ear headset.
• Choose Eartec for a teen who already belongs to a PRO16 group and needs to communicate while keeping one ear free.
• Choose Philips for a teen who wants headphones for music, calls, travel, and switching between a phone and another Bluetooth device.
Eartec’s job is communication, not general music listening. This single-ear remote headset is designed to join an existing Eartec PRO16 wireless intercom system or replace a damaged headset of the same configuration. It pairs with PRO16 headsets without a separate hub or base unit, and the PRO16 system can support up to 16 users. That makes this a practical fit for a teen who participates in a production crew, boating group, or another team using PRO16 for ongoing voice contact.
The open-ear design is a meaningful part of the appeal. One ear stays uncovered, so the wearer can remain alert to nearby sounds while talking to the group. The boom microphone can rotate to the preferred side and mutes when flipped up. For a teen helping coordinate an activity, that combination may be more useful than conventional headphones that focus on private listening. The headset offers up to 10 hours of continuous use, and its rechargeable battery can be removed and replaced by hand, without tools.
The catch is decisive: this is not a starter kit. It requires an existing PRO16 Main headset and at least one other PRO16 Remote to pair with, and it is compatible only with PRO16 headsets—not Eartec UltraLITE Classic or UltraLITE HD. It also does not include compatible chargers or additional accessories. A family looking for an open ear headphones gift for teens should check whether the teen actually needs an intercom headset before choosing this one.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-19 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
Philips is the more straightforward choice for everyday personal listening. It connects over Bluetooth 5.4 and can pair with two devices at once, making it useful for a teen who moves between, for example, a phone and another compatible device. Instead of repeatedly disconnecting and reconnecting, the wearer can switch between the two paired sources. Built-in on-ear buttons handle playback, volume, and calls, while a microphone with noise reduction supports voice calls.
Battery life is another strong point for routines that stretch beyond a short listening session. Philips specifies up to 26 hours of wireless listening from a full charge, with USB-C fast charging that provides an extra six hours of music after 15 minutes of charging. That can suit a long travel day or several days of intermittent listening, though actual results depend on use. The adjustable headband, fold-flat construction, and two spare sets of ear cushions are useful details for someone who wants headphones to travel with them and adjust the fit over time.
The Philips trade-off is that it is an over-ear personal listening headset, not a group intercom remote. It does not provide Eartec’s PRO16 crew communication, and its earcups cover both ears. Its listed design also includes a 50 mm dynamic driver, a 3.5 mm jack, and a 20 Hz–35,000 Hz frequency range; those specifications describe its audio hardware and connection options, but they do not make it a substitute for a dedicated intercom system. For teens seeking the best in ear earbuds for teens, note that this is not an in-ear model: it has an adjustable headband and over-ear cups.
Who should skip it: Skip Philips if the main requirement is joining an existing PRO16 team, communicating hands-free with a crew, or leaving one ear open to the surroundings.
• Best for an existing PRO16 crew → Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR. It is made to add a remote user to a compatible system or replace the same kind of headset.
• Best for everyday music and calls → TP Philips CENTURY 9000. Bluetooth connectivity, call controls, and a built-in microphone suit ordinary personal listening.
• Best for keeping one ear free → Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR. Its single-ear design leaves the other ear uncovered while the wearer stays in the conversation.
• Best for switching between two connected devices → TP Philips CENTURY 9000. Bluetooth multipoint supports two devices at once.
• Best for longer wireless listening sessions → TP Philips CENTURY 9000. Its listed battery life is up to 26 hours, compared with Eartec’s up to 10 hours of continuous use.
• Best for hands-free group communication → Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR. The PRO16 system is designed for full-duplex communication among users, rather than one-person listening.
• Best for a traveler who wants fold-flat headphones → TP Philips CENTURY 9000. Its fold-flat design and adjustable headband are intended to make it easier to carry and wear on the move.
• Best as an ear clip headphones gift for teens → Neither is an ear-clip model. Eartec is a single-ear over-ear headset, while Philips uses an over-ear headband design; choose based on communication needs versus personal listening.
Start by checking what the teen will connect to. Eartec’s compatibility is narrow and specific: the PRO16-SR pairs only with other PRO16 headsets. If there is no existing PRO16 Main headset and at least one other PRO16 Remote, this add-on will not serve as a self-contained first headset. That requirement matters more than the difference in battery life or wearing style.
Next, decide whether the priority is awareness or private listening. Eartec leaves one ear open and is built for staying in contact with a group while remaining able to hear the surroundings. Philips is designed for personal listening, with two over-ear cups and Bluetooth connections to compatible devices. Neither design is universally better; they answer different needs.
Consider charging and replacement routines, too. Eartec’s battery runs for up to 10 hours and can be removed by hand, so a spare charged battery may be useful in a setting where the headset is needed for extended work. The headset includes one rechargeable battery, but compatible chargers and extra accessories are separate. Philips lists up to 26 hours of wireless listening and a USB-C fast-charge feature, which may fit a teen who wants fewer interruptions during everyday use.
Finally, be precise about the gift category. These are not in-ear earbuds or ear clips. Eartec is a single-ear intercom headset; Philips is an over-ear Bluetooth headset. If the teen asked for a gift mainly for music, calls, or travel, Philips matches that purpose more closely. If the teen needs to join a specific PRO16 crew, Eartec is the relevant option—but only after confirming the system they use.
For teens, I would choose the TP Philips CENTURY 9000 if the goal is a general-purpose listening gift: it offers Bluetooth multipoint, call controls, and up to 26 hours of wireless listening.
I would choose the Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR only when the teen already has access to a compatible PRO16 system and needs an additional crew headset.
That compatibility condition is the deciding factor. As a standalone gift, Eartec is too specialized; as a PRO16 add-on, its open-ear communication design has a clear purpose.
It includes a single-ear remote headset and one rechargeable battery, but it is not a starter kit. It requires an existing PRO16 Main headset and at least one other PRO16 Remote, and it works only with PRO16 headsets.
Which headset is better for teens who listen to music every day?
The Philips CENTURY 9000 is the more suitable option for personal listening. It uses Bluetooth 5.4, supports two connected devices, and provides on-ear playback, volume, and call controls.
The listed product information describes it as a wireless RF headset that pairs with a PRO16 system. It does not describe Bluetooth phone pairing, so it should not be treated as a Bluetooth music headset.
Philips specifies up to 26 hours of wireless listening, while Eartec specifies up to 10 hours of continuous use. They are intended for different kinds of listening and communication, so the numbers are best considered alongside the intended use.
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