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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize overall sound quality and an expansive soundstage for a highly immersive listening experience, especially for music, the Audeze LCD 2 Classic will be a superior choice, though they lack a built-in microphone and any wireless capabilities. They're also open-back and ineffectual at isolating noise, making them unsuitable for noisy environments. Conversely, the JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds offer a more versatile package with good wireless functionality, active noise cancelling for better sound isolation, and a more portable design with a charging case providing extended battery life. They're a practical option for a wider range of activities, including exercise and travel, at a lower price point. 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 Audeze LCD 2 Classic
- Excellent 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
9.2
5.8
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is excellent for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
7.3
5.0
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
4.8
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good.
TV and Video
8.6
5.6
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic 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 Audeze LCD 2 Classic is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic does not have a battery. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$799
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality.
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How the Audeze LCD 2 Classic and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze LCD 2 Classic | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2017 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.3/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.6/10 | 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 | N/A | 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 | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 635 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audeze LCD 2 Classic
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Dig into reviews and images
The Greatest Song
Greatest Song Team | August 2023
"These headphones outdo rival planar magnetic headphones, especially in terms of dynamics. Compared to the Hifiman Ananda or the Hifiman Edition XS there is noticeably more slam in the sound, particularly in the bass. The LCD-2C gives you a fantastic sense of quiet dynamics with crystalline precision. This is evident also in our clinical tests, where it’s just easier to understand spoken text at very low volumes."
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."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the JBL Live Free NC+
About Audeze
Audeze is an, award-winning, American premium headphone manufacturer based in California. Founded in 2008, their products are developed around aerospace materials technology first used by NASA and are widely used by enthusiasts and professionals alike, not only in the fields of music and sound engineering but also in e-sports and the health industry.
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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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.
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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.
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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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