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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize portability and will use your earbuds for calls, meetings, and physical activities, the JBL Live Free NC+ could serve you well, especially with its active noise cancelling, sweatproof certification, and wireless charging features. However, if you wish for superior sound quality, particularly appreciating a wide soundstage for an immersive music and TV/video experience, consider the Philips Fidelio X2HR. These headphones lack portability, and their open-back design doesn't isolate noise well, thus they are not suitable for noisy environments or exercise but excel in comfort and sound quality for home use. 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8
9.3
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is excellent for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
7.0
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
7.9
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is good.
TV and Video
5.6
8.8
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
2.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Philips Fidelio X2HR does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$140
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Philips Fidelio X2HR costs $140.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Philips Fidelio X2HR has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Philips Fidelio X2HR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Philips Fidelio X2HR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $140 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | September 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 7.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4.5/10 | |
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 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 390 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."
Philips Fidelio X2HR
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Dig into reviews and images
Liquid Audio
Stefan | May 2022
"This piece is a fantastic option for music lovers searching for premium sound and a snug fit. You should get these headphones if you care about sound quality and want to hear music in a new light. This technology is a great option for high-quality headphones with superb sound reproduction."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Philips Fidelio X2HR
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 Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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