JBL Live 660NC vs Sony WH-1000XM4

The JBL Live 660NC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 are two popular premium noise-cancelling headphones. In this post, we will compare and contrast these two models to help you make an informed decision.

We’ll look at their design, sound quality, comfort, battery life, noise cancellation, and other features. By investigating these factors, you can determine which headphone best meets your needs and tastes.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 is well-known for its superb noise cancellation, superior sound quality, and feature-rich experience, making it an excellent choice for audiophiles and regular travelers.

The JBL Live 660NC, on the other hand, provides an appealing option thanks to its comfortable fit, outstanding noise-canceling features, and cheap cost. 

This detailed comparison will help you choose the best set of headphones for your unique needs, whether they are immersive audio, long-lasting comfort, or budget-friendliness.

JBL Live 660NC vs Sony WH-1000XM4: A Complete Guide

Specification

Feature	Sony WH-1000XM4	JBL Live 660NC
Form Factor	Over Ear	Over Ear
Frequency Response	4 Hz – 40000Hz	16 Hz – 20000Hz
Impedance	16 Ohms	32 Ohms
Driver size	40mm	30mm
BATTERY LIFE	30 h	50 h
Charging Time	3 h	2 h
Bluetooth Range	10m	10m
Bluetooth Version	5	5
Color	Black, Blue, Silver	Black
Weight	254 g	265 g
Check Details	See More	See More

What’s in the box

Sony WH-1000XM4	JBL Live 660NC
Hard-shell carrying case	Headphone
Cable with 3.5mm jacks	Case
USB-C charging cable	Type-C charging Cable
Travel adapter	User Guide

Fit & Comfort

Both the JBL Live 660NC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 target user comfort throughout longer listening sessions. The JBL Live 660NC features padded ear cups and an adjustable headband for a secure and comfortable fit.

Its lightweight design relieves pressure on the head, making it suited for extended wear. Similarly, the Sony WH-1000XM4 provides outstanding comfort thanks to its ergonomic design and velvety padding. 

The ear cups and headband are designed to create a secure and comfortable fit, allowing customers to enjoy their music without discomfort or fatigue.

Whether you choose the JBL Live 660NC or the Sony WH-1000XM4, both headphones excel at providing a comfortable listening experience, making them great alternatives for extended usage while traveling, business, or leisure.

Design & Build

The JBL Live 660NC and Sony WH-1000XM4 have sleek and modern looks. The Live 660NC features a pleasant and ergonomic design with a lightweight build, making it suited for long listening sessions. The headphones have soft ear cups and an adjustable headband for a secure and customizable fit.

The WH-1000XM4, on the other hand, has a premium build quality with robust construction and soft cushioning. Its collapsible form enables easy portability. Both headphones are engineered to withstand regular use and provide long-term durability. 

The Sony WH-1000XM4’s superior materials and attention to detail offer it an advantage in terms of build quality, making it a top pick for individuals who value both style and durability.

The JBL Live 660NC, on the other hand, has an appealing design and a comfortable fit, making it a good choice for customers looking for a good combination of aesthetics and comfort.

Sound Quality

When it comes to sound quality, both the JBL Live 660NC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 provide. The Live 660NC has a balanced and dynamic sound profile with clear vocals, fine instrument separation, and a powerful bass response. It offers a great listening experience across a wide range of music genres.

The WH-1000XM4, noted for its superb sound quality, provides a more balanced sound profile with accurate and well-defined audio reproduction. Its emphasis on detail and clarity makes it perfect for audiophiles and discerning listeners. 

While the Live 660NC delivers a rich and engaging sound experience, the WH-1000XM4’s greater audio processing and Hi-Res audio capabilities give it an advantage in giving a truly high-fidelity listening experience.

If sound quality is your primary priority, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is likely to be the best option. However, the JBL Live 660NC still provides superb sound performance that will satisfy the majority of customers.

Noise Cancellation

Active noise cancellation (ANC) is an essential function of luxury headphones, enabling an immersive listening experience by decreasing external distractions. The JBL Live 660NC features excellent ANC technology that reduces ambient noise, allowing you to concentrate on your music or chores.

It has different ANC settings, allowing you to modify noise cancellation based on your circumstances. Sony’s WH-1000XM4 is well-known for its superb ANC capabilities. It adapts to your environment using advanced ANC algorithms, giving outstanding noise isolation and effectively reducing undesirable sounds.

While both headphones provide strong ANC performance, the WH-1000XM4 stands out for its improved flexibility and noise-canceling effectiveness.

Microphone or Call Quality

The Sony WH-1000XM4 has the best microphone and call quality. Its built-in microphones provide better and more precise voice pickup during calls.

The WH-1000XM4 features powerful audio signal processing to efficiently minimize background noise, ensuring that your speech is heard clearly even in noisy surroundings.

In contrast, while the JBL Live 660NC provides adequate call quality, it may not outperform the WH-1000XM4 in terms of noise reduction and overall call clarity.

If you value crystal-clear calls and dependable voice communication, even in noisy environments, the WH-1000XM4 may be the superior option. However, if call quality isn’t your top priority and you’re more concerned with other factors such as comfort and sound quality, the Live 660NC still gives a satisfactory calling experience.

Battery Life

Considering the importance of battery life in wireless headphones, both the JBL Live 660NC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 have an outstanding lifespan.

The JBL Live 660NC has an impressive battery life of up to 40 hours on a single charge when ANC is turned off, allowing for extended listening sessions without regular recharging. Even with ANC enabled, it maintains strong battery performance.

In comparison, the Sony WH-1000XM4 provides up to 30 hours of playback time with ANC enabled, which should be sufficient for most users.

Both headphones have a long battery life, which is ideal for people who need to use their headphones for a longer period of time between charges. Whether you choose the JBL Live 660NC or the Sony WH-1000XM4, you can anticipate dependable battery performance to enhance your listening experience without interruptions.

Control System

Both the JBL Live 660NC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 provide simple control interfaces for regulating playback, adjusting volume, and taking calls.

The Live 660NC has touch-sensitive controls on the ear cups, allowing you to move through your music and calls with easy motions. It’s a simple and user-friendly system.

The WH-1000XM4, on the other hand, includes touch controls on the ear cups, allowing for responsive and precise touch movements for numerous operations. Furthermore, the WH-1000XM4 has proximity sensors that automatically pause and resume playback when you remove the headphones.

Both headphones offer voice assistant functionality, allowing you to easily access your smartphone’s virtual assistant. Finally, the control system option may come down to personal preference, as both headphones provide a seamless and efficient way to manage your audio and calls.

Connectivity

When it comes to connectivity, the Sony WH-1000XM4 outperforms the JBL Live 660NC. The WH-1000XM4 offers Bluetooth 5.0 for a stable and efficient wireless connection.

It also includes NFC pairing, which makes connecting to compatible devices quick and easy. Furthermore, the WH-1000XM4 includes LDAC compatibility, a sophisticated high-resolution audio codec that assures great sound quality when streaming high-bitrate audio.

It can link to the Sony Headphones link app, which allows for sound settings customization and firmware updates. In addition, the WH-1000XM4 features Bluetooth multipoint, allowing it to connect to and switch between two devices at the same time.

In comparison, the JBL Live 660NC has Bluetooth 4.2, which is slightly older than the WH-1000XM4’s Bluetooth 5.0. While it still provides a solid wireless connection, it lacks LDAC capability and NFC pairing, making it less suitable for audiophiles or those looking for high-quality music streaming.

Furthermore, JBL has its own app called “JBL Headphones” for customization, however, it may not have as many possibilities as the Sony Headphones Connect app.

In terms of connection, the WH-1000XM4 offers a more advanced and adaptable experience, particularly for consumers who require the greatest music quality and smooth device switching.

Support for Bluetooth Codec 

Bluetooth Codec Support: When compared to the JBL Live 660NC, the Sony WH-1000XM4 leads in Bluetooth codec support.

Sony’s flagship headphones support a broad number of codecs, including SBC, AAC, aptX, and LDAC. LDAC is notable because it supports high-resolution audio streaming, making it suitable for audiophiles seeking the greatest wireless sound quality imaginable.

LDAC can handle bitrates of up to 990 kbps, well above the capability of most other codecs. When utilized with compatible devices, this ensures that your music sounds extremely detailed and rich.

The JBL Live 660NC, on the other hand, supports the SBC and AAC codecs. While AAC is an excellent codec with good audio quality, it does not have the same high-resolution capabilities as LDAC.

This means that, in terms of codec support, the JBL Live 660NC may not satisfy consumers who require the best fidelity audio when streaming wirelessly.

If you want headphones that excel at Bluetooth codec support and prioritize audio quality, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is the clear choice. Its LDAC compatibility provides a superior listening experience for those with high-quality music sources.

Extra Feature

Both the JBL Live 660NC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 have supplemental functions that improve the overall user experience. The Live 660NC features touch-sensitive controls on the ear cups for easy control of playback, volume adjustments, and call management.

It also boasts a built-in microphone for clear, hands-free calling. The WH-1000XM4, on the other hand, provides intuitive touch controls on its ear cups as well as the convenience of enabling voice assistants for smooth speech requests. 

The WH-1000XM4’s speak-to-chat technology, which automatically pauses audio playback and activates ambient sound when you start conversing, promotes an easy transition between your music and the outside world.

Both headphones provide user-friendly functions that cater to varied preferences and settings, resulting in a pleasurable listening experience.

Which is the Winner?

The choice between the JBL Live 660NC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 is based on your preferences and needs. If you seek comfort, balanced sound quality, and long battery life, the JBL Live 660NC is an excellent pick.

Its lightweight and ergonomic design makes it perfect for all-day wear, and its sound characteristic provides a pleasurable listening experience across multiple music genres. Furthermore, it is more affordable, making it an appealing option for people seeking cost without sacrificing vital features.

If music quality and superior noise cancellation are your top priorities, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is the clear victor. It caters to audiophiles and users who desire the best possible audio experience, thanks to its superb sound quality, support for high-resolution audio codecs like LDAC, and industry-leading noise-canceling features.

The WH-1000XM4 also has touch controls, speak-to-chat technology, and compatibility with the Sony Headphones Connect app.

While it is more expensive, the Sony WH-1000XM4 provides a premium listening experience that rewards the expense for individuals who value audio excellence and advanced capabilities. Finally, your pick will be determined by what features are most important to you in a pair of headphones.

Alternative Options

There are several prominent alternatives to the JBL Live 660NC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 to consider. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are a convincing alternative, boasting outstanding noise cancellation, great call quality, and a sleek style. These headphones are ideal for people who value effective ANC and communication during phone calls.

Another option is the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless, which is noted for its excellent sound quality and high build quality. These headphones provide a rich and detailed audio experience and have easy-to-use touch controls. They’re a terrific choice for audiophiles who want top-tier audio performance.

For those on a tight budget, the Soundcore Life Q35 and Q45 offer great noise cancellation and lengthy battery life at a lower price point. In terms of both ANC and sound quality, the Q35 outperforms the Sony WH-1000XM4.

Finally, if you want high-resolution audio support and a personalized sound experience, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 provides superb sound quality and adaptive noise cancellation. These headphones are intended for audiophiles who wish to fine-tune their listening experience.

In conclusion, while the JBL Live 660NC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 are both excellent choices, there are other headphones available that cater to different preferences and priorities, guaranteeing that you may discover the perfect pair for your personal needs.

JBL Live 660NC vs Sony WH-1000XM4 – FAQs

Which headset has stronger noise cancellation, the JBL Live 660NC or the Sony WH-1000XM4?

Both headphones provide strong noise cancellation, however, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is known for its superior ANC performance.

It adapts to your environment using clever algorithms to provide greater noise isolation. While the JBL Live 660NC provides adequate noise cancellation, the WH-1000XM4 is often regarded as the gold standard in noise canceling.

Are the JBL Live 660NC headphones more comfy than the Sony WH-1000XM4?

Comfort is subjective, but both headphones prioritize it. The JBL Live 660NC is well-known for its comfortable design, which incorporates plush ear cushions and a lightweight construction. 

The Sony WH-1000XM4 is also very comfortable, thanks to its plush padding and ergonomic design. Your choice may be influenced by factors such as head size and ear shape.

Do these headphones support high-quality Bluetooth codecs such as LDAC?

The Sony WH-1000XM4 supports LDAC, a high-resolution audio codec that provides excellent sound quality when utilized with compatible devices. The JBL Live 660NC, on the other hand, does not support LDAC but nevertheless provides superb audio quality using regular Bluetooth codecs.

Which headphone has a longer battery life, the JBL Live 660NC or the Sony WH-1000XM4?

The JBL Live 660NC has an astounding 40 hours of battery life on a single charge with ANC switched off, making it appropriate for extended use. The Sony WH-1000XM4 offers up to 30 hours of playback with ANC enabled, which is still outstanding but somewhat less than the Live 660NC.

Do these headphones feature touch controls for playback and calls?

Yes, both the JBL Live 660NC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 have touch controls on the ear cups. These controls allow you to easily play/pause music, adjust volume, skip tracks, and manage calls. Touch controls improve the entire user experience and convenience.

Final Thoughts

To summarize, both the JBL Live 660NC and the Sony WH-1000XM4 are formidable noise-cancelling headphones, excelling in different ways.

The Live 660NC shines with its remarkable comfort, balanced sound quality, and impressive battery life, making it an excellent choice for people looking for extended listening comfort and versatility.

The WH-1000XM4, on the other hand, stands out for its exceptional sound performance, superior noise-cancellation capabilities, and additional features like the easy speak-to-chat function.

It is ideal for audiophiles and those who value high-quality audio experiences. Finally, the decision between these headphones comes down to personal preferences in terms of design, sound characteristics, and special features that meet your specific needs.