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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for more affordable, portable earbuds with built-in wireless capabilities and active noise cancelling, the JBL Live Pro 2 would suit you. They are also more suitable for exercise, offer a longer battery life, and support wireless charging. However, if you prioritize sound quality, especially for calls, meetings, or critical listening, and prefer sturdy build quality with a detachable cable, the Rode NTH-100M headphones would be the better choice. Keep in mind they are over-ear headphones and lack wireless functionality, making them less portable and versatile for on-the-go use compared to the JBL Live Pro 2. 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 Pro 2
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
5.9
8.2
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for music, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Gaming
5.3
8.9
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
9.5
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
7.6
The Rode NTH-100M is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.5
7.7
The Rode NTH-100M is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
5.3
The JBL Live Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100M is poor.
Battery
8.3 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Pro 2 has 8.3 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100M does not have a battery.
Cost
$150
$189
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Pro 2 has a price of $150 and the Rode NTH-100M costs $189.
Build Quality
7.0
8.5
The Rode NTH-100M has very good build quality, while the JBL Live Pro 2 has good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Pro 2 and the Rode NTH-100M compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Pro 2 | Rode NTH-100M |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$150 | $189 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | 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 | 5.2/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 8.3 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.8 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 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 | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.8 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
JBL Live Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | February 2023
"The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS occupy an interesting space in the wireless earbuds market. They’re a step up from cheap wireless earbuds and allow you to access better sound quality without having to make the jump to more premium options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. They’re an entertaining listen, easy to use and manage to pack in a lot of useful features. We think they’re well worth a listen."
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 Pro 2 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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