The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize portability and noise isolation, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 earbuds are a more suitable choice; also ideal if you want a high-quality audio experience during air travel. They support AptX HD for better wireless audio quality but are much more expensive. The JBL Live 770NC headphones, on the other hand, are less expensive and better suited if you prefer over-ear comfort and longer battery life. The JBLs also have a detachable cable, offering versatility if the battery runs out. However, they are heavier, and while they do offer active noise cancelling, they might not be as portable as earbuds. 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 S2
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has no clear advantages over the JBL Live 770NC.
Advantages of the JBL Live 770NC
Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Noise Reduction
8.3/10
7.0/10
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live 770NC is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
76.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live 770NC has 76 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.9/10
8.0/10
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and JBL Live 770NC both have very good build quality, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has somewhat better build quality.
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and JBL Live 770NC are both good for music.
Gaming
5.3/10
5.6/10
The JBL Live 770NC and Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.2/10
5.2/10
The JBL Live 770NC and Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6/10
5.9/10
The JBL Live 770NC and Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
6.0/10
5.8/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 to be only fair for TV and video, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Cost
$127
$130
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has a price of $127 and the JBL Live 770NC costs $130.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and the JBL Live 770NC compare to other earbuds and headphones
"While the overall sound quality is great, these earbuds fall short in terms of battery life, customization and ANC performance. Bowers & Wilkins’ ability to consistently deliver pristine sound isn’t enough to make up for what the Pi7 S2 lacks, which is unfortunately quite a bit."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 or the JBL Live 770NC
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.