Over-the-ear headphones are gaining more popularity with every passing day. For this reason, JBL manufactures a variety of quality audio products, each unique in its own way. Two over-the-ear headphones that have gained popularity are JBL Tune 770NC and Live 660NC.
Let’s compare the two types of headphones and find out which one is better.
My Verdict: JBL Tune 770NC Vs. JBL Live 660NC
Based on my testing, the JBL Tune 770NC stands out as the better choice due to its impressive battery life, effective ANC feature, superior Bluetooth connectivity for an extensive range and lag-free audio transmission, as well as features like ambient awareness, TalkThru, and voice assistant integration. The audio quality of these headphones is bass-oriented without meddling with the mids and trebles, making it quite balanced.
Furthermore, it comes with an EQ in the app, making it easier to adjust the sound settings as desired. Finally, these headphones can be connected to two devices simultaneously, allowing hands-free calling with a passive noise-canceling microphone to avoid ambient noises.
Quick Comparison between JBL Tune 770NC vs JBL Live 660NC
| Feature | Tune 770NC | Live 660 NC |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Size | 40mm | 40mm |
| Microphone | Yes (1) | Yes(2) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-20KHz | 16Hz-20KHz |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Charging Time | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| Battery Life | 70-80 hours (ANC Off)46 hours (ANC ON) | 34 hours (ANC Off)26 hours (ANC ON) |
| AUX input | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB-C | USB-C |
| Works without Battery | Yes (Via Wired Connection) | Yes (Via AUX input) |
| Hands-free calling | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-point connection | Yes(2 devices) | Yes (2 devices) |
| Adaptive Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Aware | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Aware | Yes | Yes |
| Power Saving Feature | No | Yes |
| Auto-Pause Feature | No | Yes |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
Detailed Comparison: JBL Tune 770NC Vs. JBL Live 660NC
Design, Build Quality, and Durability:
The first essential to consider when comparing the two headphones is the design, build quality and durability. JBL is known for its ruggedness, so both headphones look sturdy. Both the headphones have plush memory foam padded earcups, which cover the ear while providing maximum comfort.
The headband is somewhat adjustable to accommodate various head sizes, and it features internal foam support for maximum comfort and protection against accidental drops. However, when I tried it, I found both the headphones a little tight on my head, as I have a bigger head.
The mesh fabric around the headphones band with the memory foam makes the headphones immune to accidental drops. I tried a shake test on both the headphones, where I wore these headphones one by one and shook my head rigorously to find out how long they could sustain under such conditions; to my surprise, both Tune 770NC and Live 660NC clasp pretty well on the head, and prove to be of great use during workouts, running, or hiking sessions.
Finally, the headphones do not have any IP rating against dust and water, so you need to be careful while using them outdoors in a watery area or under the rain.
Battery Life:
Battery life is another important factor between Tune 770NC and Live 660NC. The advertised battery life of JBL Tune 770NC is about 70 hours with ANC off and 44 hours with ANC On, whereas the JBL Live 660NC has an advertised battery life of 50 hours with ANC off and 40 hours with ANC ON.
I conducted a thorough test to check the battery life of both headphones, playing audio at a volume of up to 50% with the ANC feature turned off. In this case, the battery life of the JBL Tune 770NC lasted for about 70 hours while the charging dropped from 100-50%, which means that the Tune 770 headphones can still work for about five more hours for the rest of the battery percentage left.
On the other hand, When I tried the same with ANC On, the battery life lasted for 46 hours and could go up to a 50-hours at the maximum.
I did a similar test for JBL Live 660 NC, which has the advertised battery life of 50 hours with ANC off and 40 hours with ANC On.
With the music playing at 50% volume and ANC turned off, these headphones’ battery life lasted about 34 hours. Whereas in the same conditions with ANC turned on, the headphones’ battery lasted for a total of 26 hours in total for continuous audio playback.
However, the JBL Live 660 NC comes with a power-saving mode, which allows the headphones to shut down after 10-15 minutes of inactivity, which saves the battery life; the Tune 770NC doesn’t integrate any battery-saving feature.
Microphone Quality:
JBL Tune 770NC and Live 660NC have a built-in microphone, allowing users to attend calls, use the microphone for hands-free calling, and control Voice assistants.
I conducted a comprehensive test of the microphone quality for both headphones, recording audio in both indoor and outdoor settings.
The JBL Tune 770NC has a microphone that features passive noise cancellation, which helps cut down the voices in the background. When tested indoors, the JBL Tune 770NC responded well with clear and crisp audio recording. However, noises like wind interruption or distant voices could be heard outdoors.
In a similar test, the JBL Live 660NC performed quite well indoors. In contrast, the mic efficiency was quite a disaster in outdoor settings, as the mic doesn’t have any noise cancellation and causes all the ambient noises to be recorded.
I also tried the headphones for making calls in both indoor and outdoor settings. Both the headphones performed well in indoor settings; however, the performance of JBL Live 660NC was not as great as Tune 770NC, as it doesn’t have a canceling microphone.
Audio Quality and Sound Signature:
Let’s talk about the sound quality of both the headphones. The JBL Tune 770NC features a JBL Pure Bass sound signature with a frequency response of 20Hz-20KHz. It delivers deep, punchy bass without meddling with mids and trebles.It does not overemphasize the mids and trebles, ensuring balanced audio even at higher volumes. I tested the sound performance at 50% volume and found that the bass, mids, and trebles were quite balanced. However, the bass may sound a bit more punchy at higher volumes, but it doesn’t get the mids and muddy.
On the other hand, the JBL Live 660NC has overly done bass, which may sound alright to some who prefer heavy bass delivery. However, in most cases, too much bass can be overkill. Gladly, both the headphones have an EQ in the companion app, which allows the user to adjust the audio as desired.
The JBL Tune 770NC has a better audio signature with deep bass, clear instrument delivery, and well-balanced mids and highs.
Bluetooth and Connectivity Option:
JBL 770 NC features the latest Bluetooth 5.3, whereas Live 660NC has Bluetooth 5.0. JBL Tune 770NC has a better connectivity range and faster connection time than Live 660NC.
Both headphones support multi-device connectivity of up to two devices, so you don’t have to switch between devices. Furthermore, these devices also have an AUX input port, which allows the headphones to be connected to a device via a wired connection. Additionally, this AUX input ensures that you can use the headphones regardless of their battery life, allowing for continued use even when the battery is depleted.
These headphones have a USB-C port for charging, which allows the headphones to charge faster.
Features:
There are some features that both headphones have, like a built-in microphone, AUX input, hands-free calling, voice assistant integration, and Adaptive Noise Cancellation. However, some features are unique to the 770NC and Live 660NC.
The JBL Tune 770 has a passive noise-canceling microphone, making it easier to take calls or record audio outdoors. It has a TalkThru and ambient awareness feature, which allows the user to hear the background voices to an extent, making you aware of the surroundings.
JBL Live 660NC also has these features, but it also incorporates a battery-saving mode and the auto-pause feature, allowing the headphones to shut down after a few minutes of inactivity and pause automatically as you remove them from your ears.
Final Verdict
JBL Tune 770NC and Live 660NC have great audio response, battery life, and active features. However, JBL Tune 770 NC takes the lead because of its amazing 70-80 hours of battery life, even with Adaptive Noise Cancellation turned on. In addition, this headphone doesn’t only cut you from the world. It has an ambient awareness feature to keep you aware of your surroundings, especially when you’re on the road. It has a USB-C port for faster charging, Bluetooth 5.3 for faster, lag-free audio transmission, better connectivity range, and AUX input to allow headphones to be used even when the battery is dead.
The design and build quality are also amazing; with memory foam plush earcups, you can enjoy the music comfortably.
JBL Live 660NC has additional features like auto-pause and power-saving in terms of inactivity. However, the too-bassy sound signature can mess up the mids and trebles, meddling with the overall audio signature. In addition, the Mic doesn’t offer noise cancellation, so taking calls with these headphones outdoors could be a problem. Overall, it is a good pair of headphones, but the Tune 770NC offers a superior alternative at a more affordable price.
I’m Shaun Conroy, an audiophile & founder of HiFi Audios. Holding a Bachelor’s in Sound Engineering, I bring deep expertise in audio devices and offer insights & recommendations to fellow enthusiasts.
