Short answer: the JBL Tune 720BT. It ranks #47 of 231 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $89.95; the JBL Live 770NC ranks #207, rated 2.5/5, and costs $169.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the JBL Live 770NC: Active noise cancelling and a claimed 65 hours of battery (50 with ANC on) suit long flights and daily commutes, and the 32 ohm drivers also work wired. The catch: A 9.1 dB dip near 9.7 kHz right after a 5.5 dB peak near 6.9 kHz makes cymbals sound uneven, with some sharpness and then missing shimmer.
The JBL Tune 720BT is the better-sounding pick. In hobbyist measurements it scores 84.9 for closeness to the preferred target with a smooth 2.07 dB deviation, an unusually accurate tuning for an affordable wireless headphone. The tradeoff: There is no active noise cancelling, so it blocks only as much noise as a closed back can.
Buy the JBL Tune 720BT. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Live 770NC and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Live 770NC | JBL Tune 720BT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.95 | $89.95 |
| Ranked | #207 of 231 in Over-Ear Headphones | #47 of 231 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 48 (median of 1 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 85 (median of 2 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.61 dB standard deviation | 2.07 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+6.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-9.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wireless and wired | Wireless and wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB SPL @ 1kHz | 101 dB SPL @ 1kHz/1mW |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (256 g) | 0.5 lbs (220 g) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 65 hours (50 with ANC on, Manufacturer specified) | 76 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Tune 720BT:
- JBL Tune 720BT vs Marshall Major V
- Jabra Evolve 40 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
- Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
- FiiO FT3 vs Sennheiser HD 25 Plus
- AKG K271 MKII vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
JBL Live 770NC: $169.95 Wireless Amazon $169.95 eBay
Pros: Active noise cancelling and a claimed 65 hours of battery (50 with ANC on) suit long flights and daily commutes, and the 32 ohm drivers also work wired. Bass lovers get plenty of weight, with sub-bass about 4.5 dB and bass about 5.8 dB above target in hobbyist measurements. The overall tilt is warm, matching listeners who prefer a fuller, bassy presentation.
Cons: A 9.1 dB dip near 9.7 kHz right after a 5.5 dB peak near 6.9 kHz makes cymbals sound uneven, with some sharpness and then missing shimmer. The raised bass pushes the response far from neutral, with a preference score of 47.6. The Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X rates slightly higher for less money.
Full JBL Live 770NC review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 65 hours (50 with ANC on, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wireless and wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.61 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 48 (median of 1 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB SPL @ 1kHz |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+6.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (256 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
JBL Tune 720BT: $89.95 Wireless Amazon $89.95 eBay
Pros: In hobbyist measurements it scores 84.9 for closeness to the preferred target with a smooth 2.07 dB deviation, an unusually accurate tuning for an affordable wireless headphone. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz lands right on target and the midrange stays within about 1.6 dB, so vocals and instruments sound balanced and clear. A claimed 76 hours of battery covers weeks of commuting, and the 32 ohm, 101 dB sensitivity drivers also play loudly when used wired. It matches the rating of the Sony MDR-7506 for less money while adding Bluetooth.
Cons: There is no active noise cancelling, so it blocks only as much noise as a closed back can. Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz and is 9.4 dB down at 30 Hz, so the deepest rumble in electronic music and films is thin. A 6.2 dB peak near 11.9 kHz can add a little glare to cymbals.
Full JBL Tune 720BT review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | No |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 76 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wireless and wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.07 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (median of 2 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB SPL @ 1kHz/1mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-9.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (220 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons