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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize overall sound quality and an immersive experience for music, gaming, TV, and video, the Audeze Maxwell is better, but its high price reflects this. They are over-ear headphones with planar drivers and LDAC codec support, providing high-fidelity audio. Additionally, they score well in comfort and have a longer battery life, which is beneficial for extended use. However, they are heavier and less portable than earbuds. Conversely, the JBL Live Free NC+ are more budget-friendly, lightweight, and better suited for exercise with sweatproof certification. They are earbuds that offer good sound quality, active noise cancelling, and app support for equalizer and customization. While suitable for calls, meetings, and travel, they may not match the sound immersion the Maxwell provides, particularly in gaming or watching TV. They also support wireless charging, which the Maxwell lacks, adding convenience. 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 Maxwell
- Very good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
8.4
5.8
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
9.0
5.0
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
8.7
7.6
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
8.4
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is very good.
TV and Video
8.9
5.6
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
7.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Audeze Maxwell is only fair.
Battery
78.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 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 | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 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) | 498.9 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audeze Maxwell
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | August 2023
"Despite a few caveats, the Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-performing gaming headsets on the market and should top the ranks for a few buyers — provided the budget (and neck strength) is there. Gaming headsets have their work cut out for them, and their audience is historically unkind to performance flaws. If you’re an older gamer with some cash to blow, you should be pleased with the Audeze Maxwell."
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 Maxwell 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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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