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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize ultimate sound quality and a premium feel, the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 will serve you well, especially with features like AptX Adaptive codec, which is beneficial for high-quality audio streaming. They also offer better microphone quality, which could be key for calls and meetings. However, the JBL Live Free NC+ come at a budget price, still provide good sound quality, and have the convenience of an app equalizer for sound customization, a longer battery life, and wireless charging. The JBL's also offer good exercise suitability and decent active noise cancelling, comparable to the PI7. So, if you're looking for value and versatility, such as for workouts or long-term wear, the JBL might be the better choice. Remember that better build quality and sound fidelity typically come with a higher price as in the case of the PI7, but the JBL offers a strong feature set 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 Bowers and Wilkins PI7
- Very good for gaming
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.8
5.8
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
8.1
5.0
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8
5.6
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
7.0
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Battery
3.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 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 | 5.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.7 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 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 | 8.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins PI7
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | April 2022
"The primary selling point of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is the charging case that can transmit audio from any analog source to the earbuds. If you have a very specific and clear need for that feature, then the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is for you."
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 Bowers and Wilkins PI7 or the JBL Live Free NC+
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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