The most recent over-ear headphones from the American brand JBL that I’ve had a chance to try out are known as the Tour One M2, and they come with a hefty price tag of $300. These headphones truly stand out. They flaunt an appealing design, robust craftsmanship, and a level of comfort that excels in all the aspects I’ll delve into shortly. These headphones are undeniably top-notch.

When the younger sibling, the JBL Live 770NC, arrived (coming in at a price point exactly $100 less than the Tour One M2), I initially had some reservations. I suspected they might not match up to the flagship model in terms of quality. I thought they might lack some of the premium touches, offer a less airy and detailed sound, and have slightly weaker noise-canceling capabilities. However, my assumptions proved to be incorrect.

Everything that the Tour One M2 excels at, the 770NC does just as well, in my opinion. I also find the 770NC to have a more appealing design due to their slightly smaller and sleeker form factor. In the right color (I got the black color for this review), they resemble a subtle modernization of the classic studio headphones, the AKG K500, which I quite appreciate. It exudes a sense of simplicity and sophistication, and this attention to detail extends to the choice of materials and fit.

The audio character leans towards warmth, featuring plenty of presence. Surprisingly, there’s a sense of spaciousness and instrument separation in the stereo image that you wouldn’t typically expect from a wireless battery-powered headset priced at $200. This kind of sound profile has more in common with a dedicated high-fidelity headphone that costs twice as much, which is certainly commendable on JBL’s part. The active noise cancellation (ANC) is exceptional, effectively blocking out everything with a simplicity that I find comprehensive.

The JBL Headphones app remains a standout feature that accompanies any JBL purchase. It’s user-friendly, providing clear and convenient access to essential functions. With it, you can easily toggle ANC on or off, set up your preferred voice assistant, and even establish a maximum volume limit to safeguard your hearing.

What’s even more noteworthy are the EQ presets and the ability to fine-tune the sound curve to your personal liking. Straight out of the box, as I said, the 770NC already delivers impressive sound quality, but the option to customize it is a nice touch.

The JBL Live 770NC may not win any awards for their aesthetics, as they appear somewhat budget-oriented. However, their functionality tells a different story. (Image credit: JBL)

The headphones also support multipoint connectivity, allowing you to link two devices simultaneously. This is increasingly valuable in a world where we often find ourselves juggling multiple devices. The only notable omission here is the absence of wear detection, a feature that has become commonplace in many other headphone models.

Apart from that, the JBL Tune 770NC boasts solid Bluetooth 5.3 support and includes a 3.5mm jack for those times when you prefer a wired music connection. Overall, it’s a well-rounded offering from JBL.

Furthermore, the call quality is also excellent, rendering my voice as natural and full-bodied to those I’ve spoken with while wearing the Live 770NC headphones. As for battery life, it’s superb, boasting a whopping 45 hours of playback with ANC enabled and a staggering 70 hours (!) with ANC turned off. That’s top-tier performance, especially considering that the headphones themselves weigh a mere 256 grams.

Verdict

In summary, the JBL Live 770NC may not win any awards for their aesthetics, as they appear somewhat budget-oriented. However, their functionality tells a different story. While they face tough competition, primarily from the Sony WH-CH720 and even their sibling, the JBL Tune 670NC, the Live 770NC holds its own admirably.

Though the Sony headphones might have a slight edge in some aspects, the JBL Live 770NC manages to impress and should certainly satisfy a wide range of users.