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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The JBL Live Free NC+ are earbuds that are portable and likely better for an active lifestyle, with good noise-cancellation features. They may not be as comfortable for long listening sessions as the Marshall Major IV headphones, which are designed for comfort and have a significantly longer battery life, making them ideal for extended use. The Marshall headphones also include a built-in microphone, which could be important if you intend to make calls or video conferences. However, if budget is a key consideration and you need something more suited for on-the-go use, the JBL Live Free NC+ would be a more cost-effective and convenient option. 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 podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Marshall Major IV
- The Marshall Major IV has no clear advantages over the JBL Live Free NC+.
Key differences
Music
5.8
6.6
The Marshall Major IV is only fair for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.8
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
6.1
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Noise Reduction
7.0
5.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
80.0 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$100
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Marshall Major IV costs $100.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.0
5.4
The Marshall Major IV and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.7
The Marshall Major IV and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Marshall Major IV both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Marshall Major IV compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Marshall Major IV |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Marshall | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 80 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5 | |
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 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 165 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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."
Marshall Major IV
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"The Marshall Major IV shares quite a bit in common with its predecessor, but a key upgrade appears to be softer ear cushions. They make upgrading worth it. As a set of basic wired or wireless headphones the Major IV ticks most boxes by remaining easy to use, and fairly comfortable (at least, as on-ear headphones go)."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Marshall Major IV
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
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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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