We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-21 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want to bring a tired pair of Sennheiser Momentum on-ear headphones back to life, choose SOULWIT Earpads; if you need a hard shell to carry and protect a pair of kids' or budget on-ear headphones, choose XANAD Hard Case. These two products solve completely different problems, so the "better" one is simply the one that matches what you're actually missing right now.
• SOULWIT Earpads — biggest strength: Replacement protein-leather pads with extra thick, high-density noise-isolation foam that restore fit, comfort and sound on Momentum 1, Momentum 2 and HD1 On-Ear models.
• SOULWIT Earpads — biggest trade-off: It's a repair part, not a new toy. It only fits those specific Sennheiser on-ear models, and you have to check your model number before ordering.
• XANAD Hard Case — biggest strength: A rigid EVA shell with a soft velvet lining and an internal mesh pocket, so your headphones and cables survive being tossed in a backpack.
• XANAD Hard Case — biggest trade-off: It's case only — no headphones, no accessories — and it fits JBL Junior and Sony MDR-ZX-series on-ears, not Sennheiser Momentum models.
• Who each is for: SOULWIT is for someone whose existing Sennheiser pads are worn flat. XANAD is for someone who already owns compatible JBL or Sony on-ears and wants to stop them getting crushed.
Let's be clear about what this product actually is. The SOULWIT Earpads are replacement ear cushions for three specific Sennheiser on-ear headphones: Momentum 1 On-Ear, Momentum 2 On-Ear and HD1 On-Ear. If that's your headphone, this is the kind of part that quietly decides whether you keep using them or shove them in a drawer. Worn pads go flat, seal badly, and the sound thins out. SOULWIT's approach is protein leather wrapped around extra thick, high-density noise-isolation foam, which is meant to conform to your ear for a more personalized fit — and, in their framing, better bass and comfort.
The sound argument is the interesting one. SOULWIT states that old earpads negatively affect sound quality, while their precisely modeled pads are designed not to alter the headphone's performance — and to make the headphones look new again. That's the honest selling point of a replacement pad: it shouldn't "improve" your headphones, it should stop them from degrading. I think that framing is the right way to judge it. You're not buying an upgrade, you're buying back what you already had.
Build details matter here too. SOULWIT added stitching on the inside seams of each earpad specifically to stop them splitting — a common failure point on cheap pads that are just glued. Installation is described as a few-minutes job with a perfect fit, which matches the reality of on-ear pad swaps: no tools, no soldering, just a careful peel-and-press.
Who should buy it? Anyone whose Momentum 1, Momentum 2 or HD1 On-Ear pads are cracked, flaking, or flattened to the point where the headphones sit uncomfortably. Who should skip it? Anyone with a different headphone model — the fit is model-specific, so check your headphones' model first. And if your pads are still plush and you're just bored of the look, this isn't the purchase for you.
The XANAD Hard Case is a different animal entirely. It's a carrying and protection shell, and the listing is explicit that it's case only — no kids' headphones, no accessories included. What you get is a pink EVA hard case with a soft velvet lining, an internal mesh pocket, and compatibility with JBL Junior 320BT, JR300BT and JR310BT, plus Sony MDR-ZX110, MDRZX110NC and MDR-ZX310AP wireless on-ear headphones.
The design logic here is simple and, in my opinion, correct. Kids' headphones and sub-$50-style on-ears are the ones that get thrown into school bags, sat on, and dropped. SOULWIT's foam won't help you there — what helps is a rigid exterior. XANAD's hard shell is built to resist drops, bumps and crushing, while the velvet lining absorbs the smaller impacts and keeps the plastic from getting scratched. That's a two-layer protection story: hard outside, soft inside.
The mesh pocket is the detail I'd actually notice day to day. It gives you somewhere to put a charging cable, a small charger, an amp, or even spare earpads, so the case becomes a full kit rather than just a shell. For travel, that's the difference between "I brought my headphones" and "I brought everything I need."
Who should buy it? Parents buying for a kid with JBL Junior headphones, or anyone with a Sony MDR-ZX-series on-ear who wants a grab-and-go case for home and travel. XANAD also positions it as a gift for Christmas, birthdays or holidays, which fits the audience. Who should skip it? Sennheiser Momentum owners — this case isn't listed as compatible with those. And anyone expecting headphones inside the box will be disappointed, because it's case only.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for reviving worn headphones → SOULWIT Earpads. It replaces the part that fails first: the cushion.
• Best for Sennheiser Momentum / HD1 owners → SOULWIT Earpads. The XANAD case doesn't list those models as compatible.
• Best for JBL Junior or Sony MDR-ZX owners → XANAD Hard Case. It's built around those specific on-ear models.
• Best for comfort and seal → SOULWIT Earpads. Extra thick, high-density noise-isolation foam is the whole point.
• Best for carrying cables and small accessories → XANAD Hard Case. The internal mesh pocket is designed for exactly that.
• Best for a kid's backpack → XANAD Hard Case. Drop, bump and crush resistance is what children's gear actually needs.
• Best if you're unsure → check your headphone model first. Both products are model-specific, and that's the single biggest source of bad purchases here.
In my opinion, these aren't competitors — they're answers to two different questions, and you should buy based on which question you're asking. If your Sennheiser Momentum 1, Momentum 2 or HD1 On-Ear pads are flat, flaking or uncomfortable, I'd buy the SOULWIT Earpads, because restoring a good seal and a stitched, durable cushion is the cheapest-feeling way to keep headphones you already like. If instead you own JBL Junior or Sony MDR-ZX-series on-ears and the problem is damage in transit, I'd buy the XANAD Hard Case. If I had to pick one for the average shopper reading this page, I'd lean SOULWIT — worn pads are the more common reason people stop using a headphone they otherwise love.
The SOULWIT Earpads. They're listed as compatible with Momentum 1 On-Ear, Momentum 2 On-Ear and HD1 On-Ear. The XANAD Hard Case is listed for JBL Junior and Sony MDR-ZX-series models instead, so it isn't the match here.
It depends on how you carry your headphones. A hard EVA shell is designed to resist drops, bumps and crushes, and the velvet lining cushions impacts — things a fabric pouch doesn't really do. If your headphones live in a backpack with books or a laptop, I'd say the rigid shell earns its place.
SOULWIT states their pads are precisely modeled so they don't affect the headphone's sound performance, and that worn-out pads are what hurt sound quality. So the goal is restoring the original sound and seal rather than tuning it. The extra thick noise-isolation foam is aimed at fit, bass and comfort.
Check your exact model number. SOULWIT covers Sennheiser Momentum 1/2 On-Ear and HD1 On-Ear; XANAD covers JBL Junior 320BT, JR300BT, JR310BT and Sony MDR-ZX110, MDRZX110NC, MDR-ZX310AP. If your model isn't on either list, neither product is the right fit — and since prices change, it's worth checking the current price on Amazon before you commit.
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