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JBL Live 780NC impress with huge battery life, but the bass comes with a catch
JBL’s mid-range ANC headphones combine up to 80 hours of battery life with Bluetooth 6.0 and a comfortable design, while independent testing flags an overly rich low end.
JBL’s Live 780NC have landed in a crowded middle ground for wireless noise-cancelling headphones, but an early independent review suggests the company has found a convincing balance of comfort, features and battery life. What Hi-Fi? awarded the headphones four stars for sound and five stars each for features and build, describing them as an easy recommendation despite some reservations about their bass-heavy presentation.
A mid-range alternative with flagship-style features
The Live 780NC sit below JBL’s Tour line and above the cheaper Tune range. JBL lists the headphones at a $249.95 regular price in the US, although its store was showing a temporary $199.95 price when checked. In Sweden, JBL lists them at 1,999 kr against a stated recommended retail price of 2,200 kr.
On paper, the feature set is substantial for the class. JBL specifies 40mm dynamic drivers, Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint connectivity, LE Audio and Auracast support, plus its True Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0 system. The headphones also work with the JBL Headphones app for sound and control customisation, and they support JBL’s Personi-Fi 3.0 personalisation system.
- Drivers
- 40mm dynamic
- Bluetooth
- 6.0
- Battery life
- Up to 50 hours with ANC; 80 hours without ANC
- Fast charge
- 5 minutes for up to 4 hours playback
- Weight
- 260g
- Frequency response
- 10Hz–40kHz
- US list price
- $249.95
- Swedish price
- 1,999 kr (2,200 kr recommended retail price)
Battery life is one of the headline strengths
JBL rates the Live 780NC for up to 50 hours of music playback with noise cancelling enabled and 80 hours with ANC switched off. A five-minute charge is claimed to provide another four hours of listening, while a full charge takes about two hours. What Hi-Fi? singled battery life out as a major strength and reported going roughly a week during its test period before charging the headphones out of habit rather than necessity.
The review was similarly positive about the physical design. At 260g, the Live 780NC are relatively light for over-ear wireless headphones, and their earcups can fold for travel. What Hi-Fi? praised the materials, padding and clamping pressure, while noting that a little more headband padding would have been welcome. JBL offers the model in several colours, giving it a more playful look than many black-and-grey competitors.
The trade-off is a rich, bass-forward sound
Sound quality is where the review became more qualified. What Hi-Fi? found the presentation smooth, rich and detailed, with enough dynamic expression to remain engaging, but also considered the lower frequencies too prominent. That extra warmth can make the presentation feel less precise and agile than the best alternatives. Wired listening reportedly tightened things up and revealed more detail, although the dominant bass character remained.
Noise cancelling and call performance were judged useful rather than class-leading. That distinction matters because the Live 780NC compete partly by bringing a broad set of premium-style features into a less expensive bracket, not by claiming to outperform the most expensive ANC headphones in every area.
Where to find it
TechCravers verdict
JBL Live 780 NC
Taken together, the Live 780NC look strongest for buyers who value long battery life, comfort, flexible connectivity and a warm, full-bodied sound.
The independent testing does not make them a universal choice: listeners who prefer leaner bass and sharper rhythmic precision may want to compare alternatives before buying.
But the combination of an unusually long battery rating, modern wireless features and a well-regarded build gives JBL a credible option in the mid-range ANC market.
Sources
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TechCravers
Writes about consumer technology and gaming for TechCravers.
