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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're focused on savings and need earbuds suitable for exercise with good portability, go for the JBL Live Free NC+ as they're more affordable, offer active noise cancelling, and are sweatproof. However, if you prioritize microphone quality for calls and meetings, and a more immersive gaming experience, the Rode NTH-100M headphones, despite being pricier, feature an excellent mic and are highly rated for gaming and calls. They are not wireless, limiting mobility, but if wired is not a problem and the budget allows, the Rode could serve better for professional or stationary 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 exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100M
- Very good for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8
8.2
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
8.9
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
9.5
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Rode NTH-100M is good.
TV and Video
5.6
7.7
The Rode NTH-100M 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-100M is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100M does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$189
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Rode NTH-100M costs $189.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Rode NTH-100M both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Rode NTH-100M compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Rode NTH-100M |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $189 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | January 1, 2023 | |
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 | 9.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 9/10 | |
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 | 10/10 | |
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 | Boom | |
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-100M
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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-100M
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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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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