A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your top priority, the Grado GT220 would be a better choice as they offer superior overall sound. However, if you're looking for additional features like active noise cancelling and optimized performance for both Android and Apple devices, the JBL Live Pro 2 would suit you. The JBL also has a longer battery life and supports wireless charging, which the Grado doesn't. Additionally, the JBL is more suited for exercise and travel due to its higher scores in those areas and is also more affordable than the Grado. If you need decent built-in microphone quality for calls, the JBL once again has the edge. Choose the Grado for top-notch sound and build quality, but if you value features, portability, and price, the JBL Live Pro 2 is the more well-rounded option. 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 Grado GT220
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Pro 2
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Phone Calls
6.9
5.2
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
5.8
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The JBL Live Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Battery
5.5 Hours
8.3 Hours
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Pro 2 has 8.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$259
$150
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the JBL Live Pro 2 costs $150.
Build Quality
8.8
7.0
The Grado GT220 has very good build quality, while the JBL Live Pro 2 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.3
5.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Grado GT220 to be only fair for music, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Gaming
5.1
5.3
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Grado GT220 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.5
5.5
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Grado GT220 are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Grado GT220 and the JBL Live Pro 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Grado GT220 | JBL Live Pro 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $150 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | June 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | 8.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 4.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
JBL Live Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | February 2023
"The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS occupy an interesting space in the wireless earbuds market. They’re a step up from cheap wireless earbuds and allow you to access better sound quality without having to make the jump to more premium options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. They’re an entertaining listen, easy to use and manage to pack in a lot of useful features. We think they’re well worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Grado GT220 or the JBL Live Pro 2
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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Why trust us
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
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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Recommendations made
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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.
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