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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica M50x offers superior sound quality and build, making it great for studio work and critical listening, but it's not wireless, does not have a microphone, and is less suitable for exercise or travel due to its larger size. On the other hand, the JBL Live Free NC+ is more portable, features active noise cancelling, a microphone for calls, and sweatproof certification, ideal for on-the-go listening, exercise, and travel, but it may not offer the same level of audio fidelity for music production or immersive listening experiences. Consider your primary use case and whether features like wireless connectivity and portability are worth the compromise in sound quality. 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 M50x
- Very 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
8.5
5.8
The Audio Technica M50x is very good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
6.3
5.0
The Audio Technica M50x is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
4.4
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica M50x is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
TV and Video
7.8
5.6
The Audio Technica M50x is 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 M50x is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Audio Technica M50x does not have a battery. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$60
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Audio Technica M50x and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 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 | N/A | 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 | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica M50x
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"Good sound is timeless. It doesn’t matter that a number of years have passed since the ATH-M50x came out because it still works well. Since this wired headset doesn’t rely on batteries or Bluetooth technology, it’s bound to outlast its wireless counterparts. The no-nonsense performance, fit, and comfort of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x make it worth picking up."
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 M50x 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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