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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If budget is a top priority and you need earbuds for casual listening or on-the-go use, the JBL Live Free NC+ would be a practical choice as they are more affordable. However, if you prioritize sound quality and want a more immersive listening experience, especially for music at home or in a quiet environment, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 would be the better option despite the higher cost. The Sennheisers typically offer superior audio fidelity and comfort, which could be important for extended listening sessions, but if you need something compact and budget-friendly for daily commutes or workouts, the JBLs might suit you better. Keep in mind that you may sacrifice some sound quality and comfort with the JBLs in favor of saving money and convenience. 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
Advantages of the Sennheiser Momentum 4
- Good for music
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.5
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
9.0
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is excellent for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
6.8
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is only fair.
TV and Video
5.6
8.9
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
9.1
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
59.0 Hours
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has 59 hours of battery life.
Cost
$60
$250
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 costs $250.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 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
8.2
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Sennheiser Momentum 4 are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Sennheiser Momentum 4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $250 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 59 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 294.8 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 Momentum 4
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | January 2023
"If you're looking for a slightly more affordable set of ANC headphones in comparison to the Bose or Sony offerings: the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is not a bad way to go. While its ANC is technically behind the other top-tier headphones, its sound quality is ahead of the pack—as is its battery life. Not bad for $350 USD."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Free NC+ or the Sennheiser Momentum 4
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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