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
6.9/10
5.2/10
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8/10
5.8/10
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3/10
9.1/10
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
8.8/10
7.0/10
The Grado GT220 has very good build quality, while the JBL Live Pro 2 has good build quality.
"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."
"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.
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
91,100
Recommendations made
13,665
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.