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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value overall sound quality and a wide soundstage for an immersive listening experience, the Audio Technica ATH M40X would be a better choice, especially for music and watching TV due to their higher scores in these areas. However, they lack wireless capabilities, noise cancellation, and a microphone, making them less versatile for calls and outdoor use compared to the JBL Live Free NC+. On the other hand, the JBLs are wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling and a sweatproof design, which makes them suitable for exercise and air travel, as well as featuring built-in controls for convenience. They also come with an accompanying app that allows equalizer and control customization. If portability, use during travel or exercise, and the convenience of wireless technology are priorities, then you might prefer the JBL Live Free NC+. Keep in mind the JBLs are also the more budget-friendly option. 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 M40X
- Very good 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
8.1
5.8
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
7.0
5.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
7.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$60
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $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 | 8.1/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | 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 | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
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 M40X 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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Why trust us
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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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
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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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