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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and a wide soundstage for an immersive music and TV/video experience, and you don't mind using headphones with a cable, the HifiMan Arya Stealth would likely be the better choice despite being more expensive. However, the Arya is less suitable for exercise, calls and meetings due to lack of a microphone, and its open design does little to block outside noise, making it less ideal for air travel and noisy environments. In contrast, the JBL Live Free NC+ are more portable, have good noise isolation with active noise cancelling, and are sweatproof, which makes them better for exercise and on-the-go use, including calls and meetings due to their built-in microphone, though they have a smaller soundstage and lower overall sound quality. 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 HifiMan Arya Stealth
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
10.0
5.8
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
7.1
5.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is 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 HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
TV and Video
9.4
5.6
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$649
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $649 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the HifiMan Arya Stealth and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Arya Stealth | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$649 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 408.2 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
HifiMan Arya Stealth
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | October 2022
"The Arya can easily be end-game headphones for 99% of consumers, satisfying most audio desires. Priced well above USD$1000, the Arya are obviously and gloriously not for the mass market consumer; they are designed and built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts – especially those who view their expenses on this level of gear as investments."
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 HifiMan Arya Stealth or the JBL Live Free NC+
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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.
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