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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize portability and the ability to use them without a cable, the JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds would suit you as they are wireless, have a medium earbud carry size, and include features like sweatproof certification and active noise cancelling. They also support wireless charging and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, useful for calls and meetings, and can be used during exercise. Conversely, if your focus is on sound quality for music and gaming, the Sennheiser HD 400S headphones are an excellent choice. They excel in soundstage and offer a more immersive experience. However, they are wired headphones, heavier, and less portable than the JBL earbuds. They're superb for calls and meetings due to their superior microphone quality and serve well for TV and video use. The Sennheisers don't offer noise cancellation, and their long cable may not be suitable for physical activity, making them less versatile for on-the-go 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 Sennheiser HD 400S
- Good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.1
The Sennheiser HD 400S is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
8.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
8.2
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good 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 Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
TV and Video
5.6
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S 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 Sennheiser HD 400S is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser HD 400S does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$50
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $50.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Sennheiser HD 400S both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Sennheiser HD 400S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Sennheiser HD 400S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | January 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
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 | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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 | 213 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."
Sennheiser HD 400S
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Dungeon
Jim | August 2022
"Sennheiser has done it again. The HD 400S performs well beyond its price range and is one of the better budget model headphones I’ve tried. It has very few bells and whistles and offers a simple means of listening that still delivers amazing clarity and quality. If you need a good first pair of headphones or need something that you can take out of the house, then the HD 400S is definitely for you."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Sennheiser HD 400S
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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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