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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
For immersive music listening with better noise isolation and comfort for longer sessions, the Soundcore Life Q30 could be your preference as they are over-ear and known for very good noise isolation and comfort. However, for portability and ease of carrying, the JBL Tune 660NC are foldable and more compact, easier to take on the go. The JBL headphones offer on-ear design which some find less comfortable over time compared to over-ear. Both models offer active noise cancelling, with the Life Q30 excelling in noise reduction effectiveness. If call quality is paramount, the Q30 has a higher mic quality score and might be favorable for calls. On the other side, if you frequently use headphones for movies and gaming, keep in mind that neither of these headphones are recommended for those uses due to latency issues. Both have built-in controls, but only the Soundcore Life Q30 offers app customization for EQ settings, which adds flexibility to tailor the sound to your preference. 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 Soundcore Life Q30.
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.1
7.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 is good for music, while the JBL Tune 660NC is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.7
4.8
The JBL Tune 660NC and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Tune 660NC is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Tune 660NC is only fair.
Cost
$50
$80
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Tune 660NC has a price of $50 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.3
The JBL Tune 660NC and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and JBL Tune 660NC are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.6
5.4
The JBL Tune 660NC and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for TV and video.
Battery
42.0 Hours
44.0 Hours
The JBL Tune 660NC has 42 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
The JBL Tune 660NC and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Tune 660NC and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Tune 660NC | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$50 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 42 Hours | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 172 Grams | 263 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"
Soundcore Life Q30
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Headphones Addict
Peter Susic | December 2021
"Every once in a while, headphones with an excellent price/performance ratio arrive that truly deserves all attention. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are one of those headphones. Of course, they aren’t perfect, but they do most things better than their competition. Or they give you the option to make them better."
Get a great deal on the JBL Tune 660NC or the Soundcore Life Q30
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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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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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