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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ offers excellent build quality, good comfort, active noise cancelling, and a high-quality sound experience specifically tailored for calls and meetings, as well as for use during air travel. They are sweatproof and dustproof, which makes them durable for exercise, and they cater to both Android and Apple devices, also featuring wireless charging. In comparison, the JBL Live Free NC+ are typically much less expensive, with solid build quality and good comfort, but they might fall short in sound quality, particularly for gaming and TV. They also include active noise cancelling, are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, offer good exercise performance, and have wireless charging. The Beoplay EQ could be a better fit if you're looking for higher-end performance and features, but if you're budget-conscious, the JBL Live Free NC+ offers commendable qualities at a lower cost. 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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
6.8
5.8
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is only fair for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
8.4
5.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.6
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has 6.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$176
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has a price of $176 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
7.2
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ are both good for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
8.4
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and JBL Live Free NC+ are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Noise Reduction
7.0
7.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and JBL Live Free NC+ are both good for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$176 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2021 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 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 | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | March 2022
"Bang & Olufsen’s audio products prioritize style and function just as much as sound quality. The company’s latest Beoplay EQ noise-cancelling true wireless earphones combine strong, accurate-leaning audio with solid noise cancellation in an exceedingly classy design."
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."
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About Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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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