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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If your priority is noise cancellation for air travel or loud environments, the JBL Live 770NC is your go-to, as they feature active noise cancelling. However, if gaming and watching TV is more your thing, the Sony WH-CH520 provides lower latency, which means better audio synchronization. The Sonys are also known for their comfort, which could be crucial for long listening sessions. The JBLs are more durable and have an integrated mic that offers good call quality, but they don't perform as well for gaming or TV. They do have a superior battery life, so if you're often on the go and can't charge frequently, they might serve you better. On the other hand, Sonys are lighter and sectionally foldable, improving portability. In sum, for noise cancellation and durability, pick the JBLs; for comfort, low latency, and a more attractive price, go for the Sonys. 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 770NC
- Excellent for air travel
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
5.6
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
TV and Video
5.8
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
4.6
The JBL Live 770NC is good for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
76.0 Hours
52.0 Hours
The JBL Live 770NC has 76 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$130
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The JBL Live 770NC has a price of $130 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $50.
Build Quality
8.0
7.0
The JBL Live 770NC has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.4
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Live 770NC are both good for music.
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How the JBL Live 770NC and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live 770NC | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$130 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2024 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.1/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 76 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sony WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live 770NC or the Sony WH-CH520
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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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
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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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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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