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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you are prioritizing a more immersive listening experience, especially for music, the Sennheiser HD800S provides exceptional sound quality and an open design which allows for a wider soundstage. However, these are best suited for quiet environments due to the open-back design not isolating noise well. In contrast, the JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds come with active noise cancelling, making them a better choice for noisy environments or travel. They are also more portable and suitable for exercise due to their wireless form factor, sweatproof certification, and secure fit. Keep in mind, though, the sound quality of these earbuds will not match the high-fidelity output of the Sennheisers. 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
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
7.5
The Sennheiser HD800S 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 Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class 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 Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser HD800S does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$1,400
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,400.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Free NC+ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
8.1
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Sennheiser HD800S are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $1,400 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | December 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 9.7/10 | |
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 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 371.9 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."
Sennheiser HD800S
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | March 2023
"The cans offer stellar sound quality, comfort, and good maintenance options—so they're an easy recommendation if you have the cash and the need for the last headphones you'll buy for years."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Sennheiser HD800S
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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