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What we think
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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for a cost-effective option with decent sound quality for music and calls, the JBL Live 670NC may suit your needs, plus they have Active Noise Cancelling for travel. However, Sony WF1000XM4 provides superior music listening experiences and is optimized for both Android and Apple devices, with extra features like app customization and ear detection. For activities like exercise, the Sony's sweatproof certification may come in handy, but they are more expensive. The JBL has the advantage of being foldable for portability, but if battery life is a priority, the Sony offers longer playtime with earbuds and additional case battery. 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 JBL Live 670NC
- Good for phone calls
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.5
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the JBL Live 670NC is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.4
6.7
The JBL Live 670NC is good for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live 670NC is very good.
TV and Video
5.5
6.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for TV and video, while the JBL Live 670NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.7
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Live 670NC is only fair.
Battery
65.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The JBL Live 670NC has 65 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$220
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The JBL Live 670NC has a price of $100 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
Build Quality
8.0
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and JBL Live 670NC both have very good build quality, though the Sony WF1000XM4 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM4 and JBL Live 670NC are both poor for gaming.
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How the JBL Live 670NC and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live 670NC | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2024 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.4/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 65 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 217 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live 670NC or the Sony WF1000XM4
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.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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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.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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