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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If price is a key factor and you're seeking good value, the JBL Live Free NC+ is typically much less expensive and still provides very good sound quality. However, for clearer calls and meetings, more immersive gaming and TV experiences, and better noise isolation, the Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 may be worth the higher cost. The ATH-TWX7 also supports LDAC for high-quality audio over Bluetooth and has a low latency mode for better sync during videos and games, and it's optimized for both Android and Apple devices. Both are suitable for exercise and have active noise cancelling, but the ATH-TWX7's longer battery life might be more convenient for extended use. 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-TWX7
- Good for music
- Excellent for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- The JBL Live Free NC+ has no clear advantages over the Audio Technica ATH-TWX7.
Key differences
Music
7.3
5.8
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
8.7
5.0
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
9.1
7.6
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 is excellent for phone calls, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.1
8.4
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is very good.
TV and Video
8.2
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
7.0
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Battery
6.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$199
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 has a price of $199 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH-TWX7 | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.7 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH-TWX7
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Dig into reviews and images
Engadget
Billy Steele | January 2024
"There’s plenty to like about the ATH-TWX7. A robust set of features brings a lot of convenience to your day. But a few of those tools could still use some fine-tuning and the lack of automatic pausing in 2024 is a head scratcher. Still, the audio is mostly good, and transparency mode is better than most. Add in the solid call quality and the in-app voice test and the ATH-TWX7 are a worthy consideration, especially at this price. Too bad it falls short of being a more complete package some of the competition offers for a slightly larger investment."
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-TWX7 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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