I was impressed by JBL Live 660NC blend of active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, and long battery life, offering up to 50 hours of playtime. They deliver a natural, balanced sound and a comfortable fit, thanks to the robust build and soft ear cushions. However, the bass might lack depth for some users, and the soundstage isn’t the largest. The midrange and treble are also on the softer side, which might not suit everyone’s preferences.
Contents
Intro
The JBL Live 660NC headphones are notable for their active noise cancellation, software features, and built-in virtual assistant support. Positioned at a mid-range price point, these wireless headphones aim to provide a balanced package for everyday use. In this review, I’ll cover their design, comfort, controls, and sound quality, examining whether the JBL Live 660NC offers good value for money and stands out from its competitors. While they excel in noise cancellation and sound clarity, some users may find the bass lacking depth and the fit less comfortable for extended wear.
These headphones are the successful successor of the Live 650BTNC model. The new generation of the Live series remains in an affordable price range and brings slight visual changes, but also significant improvements in the interior.
Construction & Design
The design of the JBL Live 660NC headphones remains largely unchanged, featuring two-part resonators with round outer parts and oval inner parts that follow the shape of the cushions. Made mostly of hard plastic, these headphones have chrome metal reinforcements in key areas like hinges and sliders. The headband is covered with robust fabric, rougher on the upper side and hard upholstered on the lower side. Inside the resonator, soft cushions ensure comfort, while the hollowed-out frame accommodates controls and connections.
On the right side, you’ll find multi-function buttons for power, Bluetooth pairing, volume, playback control, ANC activation, and a 3.5 mm jack for wired connections. The left resonator features a USB-C port for charging the batteries.
Controls on the right side
Inside the resonators of the JBL Live 660NC headphones, there are 40-millimeter speaker units, which are standard for this class. The manufacturer hasn’t provided detailed information about the driver design or the accompanying amplification. However, the improvements over the previous model are noted in the specifications, which show an increased frequency range from 16 hertz to 20 kilohertz.
- JBL Signature Sound: 40mm drivers and a sound signature that can be found in the most famous venues all around the...
- Keep the noise away and stay focused on the music with Adaptive NC. Ambient Aware technology allows you to safely walk...
- Voice assistant: Using your voice or with a tap on the earcup, activate ANC or Ambient Aware, check the battery life or...
- Hands-free, perfect stereo calls: The mic technology allows for perfect stereo calls and with VoiceAware you can control...
- Up to 50 hours of battery life and Speed Charge: Rock on for up to 50 hours (or up to 40 hours with ANC and BT on)!...
On the other hand, the maximum sound pressure has been lowered to 94 decibels, which might not appeal to all users but helps preserve hearing. Bluetooth connectivity has been upgraded to version 5.0, allowing for two Bluetooth sources to be connected simultaneously. The internal battery has been increased to 750 mAh, providing up to 50 hours of autonomy with ANC off, or 40 hours with ANC on. JBL claims the battery can go from empty to a full charge in two hours, and a quick 10-minute charge can provide up to four hours of operation.
Using the JBL Live 660NC: Easy Controls and App Features
The JBL Live 660NC is a pair of wireless over-ear noise-canceling headphones that offer various controls and app features. Here are the details about the controls and app features based on the provided information:
Controls:
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- Adaptive Noise Cancelling (ANC): The headphones feature Adaptive Noise Cancelling technology, which allows you to block out external noise or let it in according to your preference.
- Ambient Aware: With the Ambient Aware technology, you can increase the ambient sounds around you, making it safer to walk on busy streets while wearing headphones.
- TalkThru: TalkThru lowers the volume of music and amplifies speech, making it easier to have conversations without removing your headphones.
- Voice Control: The JBL Live 660NC supports voice control with Hey Google and Alexa. You can activate ANC or Ambient Aware, check the battery life, or power off the headphones using your voice.
- Hands-free Calls: The headphones have buttons on the ear-cup for managing calls. They feature mic technology for clear stereo calls.
- VoiceAware: The VoiceAware feature allows you to control the amount of microphone input routed back into your earbuds, giving you control over how much you hear of your voice.
- Auto Play and Pause: When you remove the headphones, your music automatically goes on hold, and it resumes playing when you put them back on.
- Multi-Point Connection: The headphones support Multi-Point Connection, enabling you to switch seamlessly between Bluetooth devices without missing a call.
- Google Fast Pair: The JBL Live 660NC supports Google Fast Pair, allowing immediate connection to your Android device with a simple tap on the screen.
App Features:
- My JBL Headphones App: The headphones can be easily personalized using the My JBL Headphones app. The app enables you to change the EQ settings, select your preferred Voice Assistant (Google Assistant or Alexa), and set Smart Ambient settings, among other features.
Additional Features:
- Battery Life: The JBL Live 660NC offers up to 50 hours of battery life. With ANC and Bluetooth on, the battery lasts up to 40 hours. A quick 10-minute charge provides an extra 4 hours of playtime.
- Comfort-fit Design: The headphones feature a comfort-fit fabric headband and soft ear cushions, ensuring a comfortable fit during extended listening sessions.
- Carrying Pouch: The package includes a soft pouch for protection and storage while traveling.
Connectivity
The JBL Live 660NC headphones feature Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, offering enhanced wireless performance with improved range, faster data transmission, and more stable connections. With a multi-point connection, you can effortlessly switch between multiple Bluetooth devices, such as moving from a tablet video to a mobile phone call without missing notifications.
Additionally, the headphones support Google Fast Pair, allowing quick and automatic pairing with Android devices by simply tapping the device’s screen. The “My JBL Headphones” app further enhances the experience by allowing you to adjust EQ presets, select your preferred voice assistant (Google Assistant or Alexa), and configure Smart Ambient settings.
JBL Live 660NC Sound Test
The JBL Live 660NC headphones may not look very different on the outside, but they sound noticeably better. When I listened to Peter Gabriel’s first solo album, it sounded great. The most important quality of these headphones is their excellent sound color. They offer a natural sound, which is impressive given the Bluetooth limitations.
The soundstage isn’t huge, but it’s just big enough to avoid feeling cramped. The drivers, with the help of a good DSP system, place each note nicely. For example, “Solsbury Hill” sounded clear and detailed, with rich tones that made the music feel more alive. While the ultimate sound definition isn’t very sharp and the tone is a bit softer, this is okay for headphones in this price range.
What matters more is how well the tones blend into the music. This is where the Live 660NC shines – they are musical, intimate, and have a touch of pleasant warmth. This makes them great for long listening sessions and for enjoying lower-quality recordings.
It’s great that the JBL Live 660NC headphones can also be connected via a cable. This is useful when the battery dies or if I want to hear their full potential. I used a high-end DAC/headphone amp, and the audio quality was much better. The same tracks I listened to via Bluetooth now had a wider stage, clearer stereo effect, and better spatial presentation. The tones were precisely outlined but not too sharp, and the bass was deeper and well-defined. I wish the Bluetooth sound had aptX or a similar codec because these headphones can handle it.
The JBL Headphones app adds more practicality. It lets me choose from five equalizer modes or create my own sound. ANC works well, neutralizing most background noise with minimal impact on playback quality. It also has Ambient Aware and TalkThru features. Other handy options include automatically pausing when the headphones are removed, turning off after inactivity, and support for Google and Alexa voice assistants.
JBL Live 660NC Video Review
JBL Live 660NC Specifications
- Driver size: 40mm/1.6″ Dynamic Driver
- Power supply: 5V, 1A
- Weight: 265g/0.6 lbs
- Battery type: Lithium-ion Polymer(750mA/3.7V)
- Charging time: <2 hrs from empty
- Music playtime with BT on and ANC off: Up to 50 hrs
Music playtime with BT on and ANC on: Up to 40 hrs - Frequency Response: 16Hz – 20kHz
- Impedance: 32 ohm
- Sensitivity: 97dB SPL@1kHz/1mW
- Maximum SPL: 94dB SPL
- Microphone sensitivity: -19dBV@1kHz/Pa
- Bluetooth version: V5.0
- Bluetooth profile version: HFP V1.7,
- A2DP V1.3, AVRCP V1.6
- Bluetooth transmitter frequency range: 2.4GHz – 2.4835GHz
- Bluetooth transmitter power: <10dBm
- Bluetooth transmitter modulation: GFSK, π/4 DQPSK, 8DPSK
- Maximum operation temperature: 45°C
You can download & view the manual here->JBL Live 660NC Manual
Final Verdict
Although the manufacturer presents them as an over-ear model, the tested headphones are somewhat smaller in size, so the cushions can press the ear shell around the perimeter, which should be taken into account during prolonged use. Of course, this is a consequence of exemplary portability, because the JBL Live 660NC is extremely grateful to carry and heat up relatively little during operation, and will provide you with excellent sound and isolation from the environment in all situations.
Crackling Sound was created to provide straightforward, unbiased reviews of audio products, catering to those who want excellent sound without delving into complex audiophile terms. I aim to simplify the decision-making process for my readers.
As an audio enthusiast and self-builder for over 20 years, I ensure my reviews are honest, highlighting both advantages and disadvantages. I conduct sound tests to deliver comprehensive and reliable information about various audio devices. My extensive experience in DIY projects, experimenting, installing, and using high-end audio gear helps me provide thorough and comparative reviews.