A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you're on a budget, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones are more affordable and offer very good over-ear comfort, superior battery life, and exclusive features like app equalizer customization and optimized support for both Android and Apple devices. For those focused on an immersive experience for gaming or watching TV, they also have very good scores in those areas. Conversely, the JBL Tune 660NC may suit you better if you prefer on-ear headphones with good noise isolation and active noise cancelling, suitable for air travel, and it includes a cable to use when wireless isn't an option. However, remember that the JBL are typically more costly and might not provide the same value for money as the Sony pair, especially in terms of battery life and functionality. 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 Tune 660NC
- The JBL Tune 660NC has no clear advantages over the Sony WH-CH520.
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.1
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 is good for music, while the JBL Tune 660NC is only fair.
Gaming
5.4
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.7
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
4.6
The JBL Tune 660NC is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
42.0 Hours
52.0 Hours
The JBL Tune 660NC has 42 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$45
$40
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The JBL Tune 660NC has a price of $45 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.0
7.0
The JBL Tune 660NC has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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How the JBL Tune 660NC and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Tune 660NC | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$45 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2021 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.1/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 42 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.8/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 172 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
JBL Tune 660NC
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Chase Bernath | April 2023
"The JBL Tune 660NC is the best value you can get from a set of on-ear headphones. There's no companion app so you don't get many additional features, but everything the JBL Tune 660NC sets out to do, it does well. At this price, the JBL Tune 660NC is an easy recommendation for on-ear headphone lovers"
Sony WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the JBL Tune 660NC or the Sony WH-CH520
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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