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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a significant factor, the JBL Live Free NC+ might be the more economical choice. However, if you're after higher sound quality and can accommodate a larger, over-ear design, the Rode NTH-100 may be worth the extra cost. The JBL earbuds offer portability and convenience of wireless use, with added noise cancellation, making them suitable for commuting and gym use. In contrast, the Rode headphones are likely to provide better audio fidelity and comfort over longer periods, ideal for critical listening at home or in a studio setting, but they lack the convenience of being wireless like the JBLs. 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 Rode NTH-100
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8
8.2
The Rode NTH-100 is very good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
6.5
The Rode NTH-100 is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
4.8
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Rode NTH-100 is good.
TV and Video
5.6
7.7
The Rode NTH-100 is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
5.3
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$149
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Rode NTH-100 costs $149.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Rode NTH-100 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Rode NTH-100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Rode NTH-100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | March 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
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 | 5.3/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 349.2 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."
Rode NTH-100
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Kizito Katawonga | March 2023
"The NTH-100M is a closed-back headset aimed at professional audiophiles—streamers, podcasters and content creators included—looking for masterful audio and a detachable 'broadcast-grade' microphone."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Rode NTH-100
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 Rode
Rode is an Australian audio equipment manufacturer. Rode was founded in 1967 as Freedman Electronics, transitioning into its modern brand in 1990, and it’s mainly known for their high-end microphones and audio production equipment. In 2022 they entered into the headphone market with their NTH-100 closed back headphone which was received with very good reviews from the community.
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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
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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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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.
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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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