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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're after a wired solution with a focus on sound quality, especially for music, the Audio Technica ATH M20X's strong sound performance makes them a good choice; however, their bulk and lack of portability might be inconvenient for travel. On the other hand, the JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds, being wireless with active noise cancelling, are a versatile option suitable for calls, meetings, and use during exercise. They provide good noise isolation and convenience features like ear/head detection and a charging case. Bear in mind, though, the Audio Technica might be preferable for TV and gaming due to lower latency, despite being less comfortable and not suited for exercise or travel compared to 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 Audio Technica ATH M20X
- Good for music
- 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
7.6
5.8
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
6.2
5.0
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is 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 Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$60
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
Build Quality
6.9
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 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 | 6/10 | 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 | 6.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
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 Audio Technica ATH M20X or the JBL Live Free NC+
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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
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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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