The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M30X shines with its sound quality and immersive experience for listening to music and TV, but it lacks a microphone and is not suitable for exercise. Conversely, the JBL Live Free NC+ offers versatility with features like sweatproof certification, wireless capability, active noise cancelling, and a built-in microphone, making it better for calls, meetings, and use during physical activities. The JBL earbuds are also optimized for both Android and Apple devices and support wireless charging, while the Audio Technica headphones, being wired, may limit mobility but provide a more stable connection for activities without requiring power. If portability and ease of use for diverse circumstances are priorities, the JBL could be the better choice, especially considering its 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 Audio Technica ATH M30X
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
7.6/10
5.8/10
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
6.6/10
5.0/10
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3/10
7.6/10
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9/10
8.4/10
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.9/10
5.6/10
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0/10
7.0/10
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$69
$60
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $69 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
Build Quality
7.2/10
8.5/10
The JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
"The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a great choice for anybody that needs a decent set of over-ear studio monitors. While the frequency response is not totally spot on, it works for basically every situation reasonably well. The sound quality and reasonably good comfort promote its candidacy as a great pick for $69 USD."
"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 M30X 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
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
113,900
Recommendations made
17,085
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.