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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the AKG K712 Pro and the JBL Live Free NC+ depends on your preferences and use cases. The AKG K712 Pro headphones are better for a high-fidelity, immersive experience with superior soundstage, making them ideal for music and TV, but their open-back design and wired connection limit their use outside of a quiet environment. They also have no built-in microphone, so they are not suitable for calls. In contrast, the JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds offer good sound, wireless convenience, and active noise cancelling, making them versatile for calls, meetings, and use during exercise or travel. They are more portable and have a built-in microphone, but their in-ear fit and sound isolation could be less comfortable for extended use compared to the over-ear AKGs. If you prioritize sound quality and are mainly using them in a static, indoor setting, go for the AKG; if you need flexibility, portability, and noise cancellation, consider the JBL. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the AKG K712 Pro
- Good for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.7
5.8
The AKG K712 Pro is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
7.0
5.0
The AKG K712 Pro is good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the AKG K712 Pro is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the AKG K712 Pro is good.
TV and Video
8.4
5.6
The AKG K712 Pro is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the AKG K712 Pro is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The AKG K712 Pro does not have a battery. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$659
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The AKG K712 Pro has a price of $659 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The AKG K712 Pro and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
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How the AKG K712 Pro and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K712 Pro | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$659 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2013 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 235 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
AKG K712 Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Headfonics
Michael | October 2013
"AKG has created a mini-masterpiece in my opinion. I enjoy this headphone a great deal and it will become my go-to reference headphone for the time being. She is slick, sexy, well-balanced, and crazy comfortable."
JBL Live Free NC+
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Dig into reviews and images
HeadphoneCheck
Maike Paeßens | 2020
"JBL has added great-sounding, rock-solid all-rounders with a pleasant, warm sound character to their range. They are equipped with a high level of functionality that can be customised via the app. Some compromises have to be made with the active noise cancellation, which has a discreet effect, while the ambient mode and the Talkthru function proved to be powerful despite a perceptible background noise."
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About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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