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Airpods Max
Company ProductName Specs




Live 770NC
Company ProductName Specs




What we think

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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·

If audio quality, particularly for music and podcast listening, and active noise cancelling are top priorities and budget is less of a concern, then the Apple AirPods Max may be the right choice; they also feature spatial audio for a more immersive experience. However, for those who are price-conscious, the JBL Live 770NC offers very good sound at a midrange price and includes features like app equalizer customization, but with less effective noise isolation. Both are good for air travel and have built-in controls, but if battery life is crucial, the JBL's much longer battery life could be decisive. The JBLs are also more suited for exercise given their lighter weight and are easier to carry when folded. 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 Apple Airpods Max
  • Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live 770NC
  • The JBL Live 770NC has no clear advantages over the Apple Airpods Max.

Key differences

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Phone Calls

6.6
Airpods Max
Live 770NC
5.2
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

8.0
Airpods Max
Live 770NC
5.9
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.

Noise Reduction

10.0
Airpods Max
Live 770NC
7.0
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the JBL Live 770NC is good.

Battery

21.0 Hours
Airpods Max
Live 770NC
76.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The JBL Live 770NC has 76 hours of battery life.

Cost

$549
Airpods Max
Live 770NC
$130
Product image
Product image

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

$300

$350

$400

The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the JBL Live 770NC costs $130.

Build Quality

9.0
Airpods Max
Live 770NC
8.0
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live 770NC has very good build quality.
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Key similarities

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Music

7.3
Airpods Max
Live 770NC
7.4
The JBL Live 770NC and Apple Airpods Max are both good for music.

Gaming

5.5
Airpods Max
Live 770NC
5.6
The JBL Live 770NC and Apple Airpods Max are both poor for gaming.

TV and Video

5.7
Airpods Max
Live 770NC
5.8
The JBL Live 770NC and Apple Airpods Max are both poor for TV and video.

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We’re constantly working to improve.

How the Apple Airpods Max and the JBL Live 770NC compare to other earbuds and headphones

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Spec Comparison

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Apple Airpods MaxJBL Live 770NC
Apple Airpods MaxJBL Live 770NC

GENERAL

Price
$549
$130
Brand
AppleJBL
Release Date
December 1, 2020March 1, 2024
Form Factor
HeadphonesHeadphones
Connectivity
Wired + WirelessWired + Wireless

SOUND

Music Score
7.4/107.5/10
Phone Calls Score
6.6/105.3/10
Gaming Score
5.5/105.6/10
TV and Video Score
5.8/105.8/10
Exercise Score
6.2/106.1/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
21 Hours76 Hours
Wireless charging
NoNo
Charging time
2 Hours2 Hours
Bluetooth version
55.3

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
YesYes
Noise Reduction Score
10/107/10
Virtual Surround
YesYes
Android App
NoYes
iOS App
YesYes
Mic Quality
7/107/10

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
9/108/10
Comfort score
7/107/10
Size
N/AMedium
Weight (headset or single earbud)
385.5 Grams220 Grams
Microphone style
IntegratedIntegrated

Shopping

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Apple Airpods Max

See more

Dig into reviews and images

Sound Guys

Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."

Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the JBL Live 770NC

About Apple

Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.

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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Why trust us

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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.

By the numbers

108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,800
Recommendations made
18,570
Consumer hours saved

About the Earbuds or Headphones team

Joe Golden, Ph.D

CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.

Jason Lew

Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.

Chandradeep Chowdhury

Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.

Luis Torres

Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.

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