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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for earbuds more suited for travel, calls, and a wireless experience, the JBL Live Free NC+ offers active noise cancelling, sweatproof certification, and overall better build and microphone quality, making them ideal for noisy environments and workouts. However, they have a shorter battery life without the case and may not be the best for soundstage or immersive listening. On the other hand, the KZ ZSN Pro X earbuds are wired, budget-friendly, and provide good sound quality with a strong build but lack advanced features like active noise cancelling, a microphone for clear calls, and the versatility for use during exercise. The choice depends on whether you prioritize wireless convenience and noise cancellation over affordability and a more straightforward audio experience. 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 Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the KZ ZSN Pro X
- Good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.0
The KZ ZSN Pro X is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
5.9
The KZ ZSN Pro X and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming, though the KZ ZSN Pro X is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
7.6
3.1
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the KZ ZSN Pro X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
4.7
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the KZ ZSN Pro X is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.3
The KZ ZSN Pro X is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
6.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the KZ ZSN Pro X is only fair.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The KZ ZSN Pro X does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$22
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the KZ ZSN Pro X costs $22.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and KZ ZSN Pro X both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the KZ ZSN Pro X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | KZ ZSN Pro X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $22 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | KZ | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | June 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 3.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 27 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
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."
KZ ZSN Pro X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | April 2023
"The KZ ZSN PRO X offers superb sound for very little money, like under $30 USD. It has some rough edges with a plastic seam on the cable that can rub on your ear, and the bud is a bit large. The tech isn't cutting edge, but new doesn't always equal better. You should try it."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the KZ ZSN Pro X
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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