The JBL Live 770NC are wireless over-ear headphones featuring 40mm drivers and JBL Spatial Sound, delivering a virtual surround sound experience for any stereo content.
They feature Bluetooth 5.3, supporting the upcoming LE Audio via over-the-air (OTA) update, for wireless streaming at even lower bitrates. Dedicated audio and video modes are also available for movies and games.
True adaptive noise cancellation is achieved through four noise-detecting microphones, and a smart ambient mode is available for when you want to hear the sounds around you.
JBL Live 770NC Over-Ear Headphone Review
Appearance
The design is typical JBL. While plastic and toy-like, the JBL construction is well-executed. The 770NCs are stylishly finished in a cool blue, and the knitted headband adds a touch of luxury.
The earcups are quite small, but they fit my larger ears comfortably. While not particularly breathable, they are comfortable and don’t weigh my head down.
Design and Comfort
In terms of design and comfort, the left side is fine, but the right side looks cluttered with too many buttons and a large JBL logo.
The headband fabric looks great, but it’s difficult to clean and easily collects dust. I had this issue with the JBL Live 670NC.
The fabric attracts dust, making cleaning a hassle. There’s no information about dust and water resistance, so washing could damage the headphones.
So, do you really need headphones that collect a lot of dust? Imagine leaving them on your desk at work, collecting dust and looking dirty.
Imagine your boss, like some wise old man, scolding you for bringing trash into the office, saying, “A clean body makes a clean soul, but you’re not trained to shower.” I don’t shower anyway. Enough!
The headphones come in a variety of colors, including black, sand (yes, sand), white, and blue.
They’re foldable, weighing a respectable 256g. Despite their foldable design, they’re sturdy and durable, so they won’t break down even with light use.
In terms of comfort, my ears didn’t sweat or get hot even after three hours of wear, even with or without glasses.
However, they’re not suitable for exercise, as they tend to sweat a lot and feel uncomfortable, much like all-over-ear headphones.
Comfort features include a flexible headband and thick, soft earcup cushions. Underneath the central fabric is headband padding, making them comfortable even with little or no hair.
The headband adjusts with a notch, and the earcups rotate back and forth well, but only slightly up and down. Comfort is adequate, so I’ll leave that aside.
Replacing the earpads is tricky. They’re only available on the JBL UK website, and ironically, they’re currently out of stock.
Finding replacements from third-party vendors is also challenging. Interestingly, I’ve only found replacements for the JBL Tune 770NC, not the Live 770NC.
For comfort while traveling, wearing the headphones on your shoulder allows for easy side-to-side movement, but not for looking down. Rotating the earcups downward allows for more freedom of movement.
Bluetooth
The JBL Live 770NC headphones feature Bluetooth 5.3 and support LE Audio for improved wireless connectivity and sound quality.
They offer two modes: one for excellent music listening and calls, and the other for smooth audio and video synchronization for movies and games.
They also stay up-to-date with new features and enhancements via updates.
JBL Live 770NC Soundstage
The 770NC maximizes the stereo soundstage, even in confined spaces. While the sound is sometimes surprisingly good, imaging still feels limited.
However, the soundstage offers a distinct positioning, unlike typical JBL headphones, resulting in excellent left-right channel balance.
Most vocals and some instruments, which often sound out of place on the 770NC, do sound a bit forward, but the way the bass is emphasized makes everything feel a bit too solid.
While spatial mode helps, it doesn’t change how individual elements are structured in the mix.
Low-End Frequency Response
The JBL has a unique sound profile, with thick, full-bodied bass. Even without EQ, the bass is already quite dominant, but it lacks a sense of form.
Rich, lush bass tones are consistently present throughout the sound signature, with individual notes buried somewhere in a fog of resonance.
However, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying this textured surface, which adds a lot of enjoyment to most high-energy tracks. It may not be the most refined bass, but it’s still impactful.
Midrange Frequency Response
Without EQ, the sound signature is typical of a V-shaped system. The midrange is recessed for the most part, but not destructively, making it suitable for certain genres of music.
There’s no hollowness, and the midrange is generally unobtrusive. Vocals are clear and the most prominent part of the frequency response.
EQ adjustments can add a bit of punch to certain notes, but don’t expect more than superficial detail.
Treble Frequency Response
The treble is present and beautifully polished, adding a beautiful sheen to the headphone’s treble. This is primarily used to add color, with a subtle, shimmering glow resonating throughout.
It extends the treble’s height and overall identity, and even a slight EQ boost can reveal even more detail.
Features & Connectivity
The JBL Live 770NC headphones, featuring a 3.5mm headphone jack, touch controls, a USB-C port, and cushioned ear cups, were photographed against a blue Tom’s Guide backdrop.
The Live 770NC supports wired and wireless connectivity via a 3.5mm jack and Bluetooth 5.3, respectively. During testing, I found the range to be at least two steps, which is roughly comparable to my AirPods Pro 2.
Feature-wise, they offer the standard JBL specs: customizable touch controls, a variety of EQ presets, Personi-Fi (hearing test) to tailor playback to your needs, and spatial audio.
Spatial audio, in my opinion, is a necessary feature. While it negatively impacts sound quality, it can be useful for watching TV or gaming.
The JBL Live 770NC headphones, featuring a 3.5mm headphone jack, touch controls, a USB-C port, and cushioned ear cups, are pictured against the backdrop of Blue Toms’ Guide.
Unfortunately, they lack LDAC or aptX compatibility. Headphones with 40mm drivers and a wide frequency response would benefit from this feature.
Controls
All controls are located on the right earcup. From bottom to top, the first button toggles between ANC, Transparency Mode, and Normal Mode.
ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) blocks external noise, Transparency Mode lets you hear your surroundings, and Normal Mode has no special features.
Next to this are the Bluetooth pairing button, the volume down button (long press to go to the previous track), and the center button for play/pause, answer/end calls, and activate the smartphone assistant.
There’s also a volume up button (long press to go to the next track) and a power on/off slider control for complete control.
The right earcup has too many buttons. I often accidentally pressed the Bluetooth pairing button when trying to quickly switch between ANC and transparency mode.
It was incredibly frustrating. I wish there had been no such button. JBL should have integrated the Bluetooth pairing and power control sliders.
Swiping the power button and holding it for 2-3 seconds activates pairing mode. There are so many buttons that I often accidentally press them.
The play/pause button isn’t clearly marked, so I often end up pressing the volume up button instead.
The right earcup also has touch controls, allowing you to play/pause and skip tracks with a single tap. I prefer physical controls, so I disabled this feature in the app.
Another drawback is that long-pressing the play/pause button activates the voice assistant. On my Android device, Google Assistant doesn’t work.
Even if I disconnect all devices and connect only my phone, nothing happens. This is extremely frustrating.
However, the passive play/pause feature is a nice feature. When you take the headphones off, the content pauses, and when you put them back on, playback automatically resumes.
This feature works well and is uncommon in mid-priced headphones.
Battery
The JBL Live 770NC headphones boast impressive battery life. With ANC off, they offer up to 65 hours of continuous playback, ensuring uninterrupted listening.
Even with ANC enabled, they offer up to 50 hours of playback, providing ample power for extended use without frequent charging.
Conclusion
The Live 770NC handles bass resonance incredibly well. While it’s true that the punchy bass performance comes at the expense of clarity, that’s to be expected. Detail-conscious listeners and audiophiles won’t be impressed.
Also read: Softears Studio 2 IEM Review