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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality, especially for music and TV, the HifiMan Edition XS may be better due to its excellent overall sound and best-in-class soundstage. However, these are open-back headphones, which means they don't isolate noise well and aren't suitable for noisy environments or air travel. They also require a dedicated amplifier for optimal performance, which could be an additional cost. The JBL Live 770NC, on the other hand, is more versatile with active noise cancelling, wireless capabilities, and a foldable design for portability, making it suitable for exercise and travel. It also has app equalizer features and a much longer battery life, which adds to its convenience for everyday use. If you're looking for a balance of good sound and practical features at a more affordable price, the JBL might be the better choice. 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 Edition XS
Very good for music
Good for gaming
Best in class for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live 770NC
Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8/10
7.4/10
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the JBL Live 770NC is good.
Gaming
7.4/10
5.6/10
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9/10
5.9/10
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
TV and Video
9.5/10
5.8/10
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
7.0/10
The JBL Live 770NC is good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Battery
N/A
76.0 Hours
The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery. The JBL Live 770NC has 76 hours of battery life.
Cost
$269
$130
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the JBL Live 770NC costs $130.
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Edition XS or the JBL Live 770NC
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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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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