The JBL Live 680NC may sound good, but the battery life and plethora of top features are the star of the show

Date:
Fri, 11 Sep 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Description:
The JBL Live 680NC are almost a budget set at $150, plus they sound pretty good, come with a ridiculous amount of features and a long, long battery life.

FULL STORY ======================================================================JBL
Live 680NC: Two-minute review The JBL Live 680NC are a strong pair of headphones for the price. They have a lot to offer, such as a whole litany of features including well-implemented active noise cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Aware, a lot of EQ-related options, spatial audio, and Auracast support. They also offer a very, very long battery life.

But they come with some compromises to meet that $160 price point. The sound quality, while good, does have an unruly low-end and a more rolled off high end than I would like. The spatial audio is a bit underwhelming in practice. They dont come with a charging cable. And they do put a little bit of
pressure on the top of the head during long listening sessions.

If youre trying to stretch your budget, they may be the best wireless headphones for you, but manage your expectations; theyre not going to compete with something like the Sony WH-1000XM6 . And if you have the ability to
spend an extra hundred bucks (or the equivalent in your regional coin), the slightly more expensive JBL Live 780NC do sound a fair bit better and handle the weight distribution a little better as well. That said, these are tough times for a lot of people, and the price tag on the Live 680NC is reasonable, especially considering everything that they can do. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: A view of the JBL Live 680NC from the side (Image credit: Future / James Holland) JBL Live 680NC: Price and release date Priced $159.95 / $129.99 / AU$199.95 Launch date March 12, 2026 JBL Live 680 NC (Black) at Amazon for 119 With a price tag of $159.95 / 129.99 /
AU$199.95, the JBL Live 680NC technically fit into the mid-range tier of headphones while still being a cool $100 cheaper than the JBL Live 780NC that was released concurrently in March 2026.

As youll see in this review, there are a few reasons to spend that extra hundred dollars (though you could spend even more for the JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx ). But if youre okay with a slightly less articulate sound quality
or marginally less comfortable fit, you can save that hundred bucks if youre on more of a budget. JBL Live 680NC: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally

Drivers

40mm drivers

Active noise cancellation

Adaptive

Battery life

Up to 50 hours with ANC On, 80 without

Weight

231.16 g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0

Frequency range

10Hz - 40kHz

Waterproofing

N/A

Other features

Multipoint connectivity, App Support, Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode, Hi-Res, Spatial Audio, Fast Charging, Auracast, Voice Assistant JBL Live 680NC: Features Image 1 of 6 General settings in app for JBL Live 680NC (Image credit: Future / James Holland) Adjusting ANC settings in app for JBL Live 680NC (Image credit: Future / James Holland) Adjusting EQ settings in app for JBL Live 680NC (Image credit: Future / James Holland) Showcasing how flexible the parametric EQ is (Image credit: Future / James Holland) Adjusting call settings in app for JBL Live 680NC (Image credit: Future / James Holland) Using the relax mode in the app for the JBL LIve
680NC (Image credit: Future / James Holland) Image 1 of 6 View Original Image 2 of 6 View Original Image 3 of 6 View Original Image 4 of 6 View Original Image 5 of 6 View Original Image 6 of 6 View Original Multipoint connectivity and Auracast available Very adjustable Active Noise Cancellation and Ambient Aware Powerful EQ including personalization options The JBL Live 680NC are chock full of features. Multipoint connectivity, Auracast (allowing
connection to multiple headphones from one source), Bluetooth with LE Audio (unavailable for Apple users), the ability to customize on-ear controls, and on-ear wear detection are just some of whats on offer. You can also upmix via JBLs own spatial audio feature.

Adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC), Ambient Aware, and TalkThru modes are available with a good amount of customizations for the first two through the app. And while these modes wont beat the best of Sony or Bose, they work pretty well. I dont hear ambient noise with the ANC on at 50% (while
something is playing), while I can hear ambient noise clearly with music at around 60%, which is nice when using these headphones for a walk or run. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Theres plenty more fine tuning available through the app. Of course, theres plenty in the way of EQ. Not only are there a handful of EQ presets, but theres a parametric EQ with the ability to boost or cut up to 6 dB anywhere between 32 and 16kHz, which is much more powerful than a lot of EQs available with other headphones.

Plus, JBLs Personi-Fi 3.0 feature allows for creating a personalized EQ curve based on how you hear. It does so via a test of different frequencies at different volumes for each ear. Not only do I appreciate the personalization aspect of it, but also that it takes the guesswork out of trying to adjust
the EQ.

Call-related features are available in the app as well, including allowing
you to hear your own voice, as well as some relaxation focused features that, while they feel a little gimmicky, are a nice addition for anyone who wants
to hear the sound of rain or birds chirping without pulling up a youtube channel for it. Features score: 5 / 5 JBL Live 680NC: Design Light, on-ear headphones Weight sits a little heavily on top of head though Comes without a charging cable The JBL Live 680NC are fairly sharp looking headphones for around $160. Theyre not quite premium, but theyre pretty close with a combination of plastic, metal (particularly the hinges), and leatherette-covered foam. Theres plenty of padding on the headband and ear cups, but since theyre on-ear more than over-ear, their fit is a bit
different to the JBL Live 780NC I just reviewed.

Theyre not that heavy at around 231 grams, but since they sit on the ear instead of over, more of the weight sits on top of the head. So while theres plenty of cushion, I feel the headphones pressing on my skull in a way that lingers after wear. Its not a lot so I didnt feel discomfort, exactly, but it is something that separates it from its more expensive big brother. (Image credit: Future / James Holland) Other than the fit and, relatedly, the ear pads, the JBL Live 680NC are identical to the Live 780NC in terms of design. Theyre available in the same five colors (black, blue, green, white, champagne), have the same round ear cups, and have the same one and a half inch height adjustment per side. Theyre foldable and have a big L or R on the inside of the non-removable ear pads as well.

Controls and ports are the same as well. The left ear cup houses the volume controls, while the right has the power and bluetooth slider along with the ANC / AmbientAware / TalkThru cycle button, not to mention that you can top
on the center of the ear cup in various configurations to play or pause, rewind, or fast forward to the next song. The USB-C charging port is also on the right side.

And just like the JBL Live 780NC, the JBL Live 680NC come with a soft
carrying case, a USB-C to Aux cable for analog listening, and come without an actual charging cable, though you can just use whatever you charge your phone with (you don't still have a Lightning iPhone, do you?). Design score: 4/5
The JBL Live 680NC's controls and port (Image credit: Future / James Holland) JBL Live 680NC: Sound Low-end is often overwhelming Warmer sounding
headphones with slight high-end roll off Incredible battery life The JBL Live 680NC is a competent, if not quite inspiring set of headphones to listen to. Theres plenty of volume thankfully, so if youre trying to fast track hearing loss, you can certainly do that with these headphones.

Just like the more expensive 780NC, the low end on these headphones is almost out of control. Ive done a lot of my listening with the studio EQ preset, which is basically a flat EQ with a slight bass cut, and I still feel like Im hearing too much bass, regardless of whether Im listening to Bruno Mars or Nothing. Of course, fans of EDM and Hip Hop will probably love that.

And just like the 780NC, the JBL Live 680NC use 40mm drivers. However, they dont have quite as much sparkle or clarity in the top end so dont have quite the presence. I would describe the high-end as slightly rolled off. Its still pleasant to listen to, but just doesnt sound as Hi-Fi despite also having the 10Hz to 40kHz frequency range, which is considered high resolution.

That roll off does give the JBL Live 680NC a little warmer of a sound, helped along by the fact that the mids are a bit more forward here. Some people may like that. Of course, audio can sound a little bloated with mid-heavy mixes, aka any dense rock-leaning mixes. (Image credit: Future / James Holland) This also affects the soundstage as there isnt quite the separation Im used to. I am setting the bar a little high as I experienced better separation between instruments and audio elements in the more expensive JBL headphones, but
thats a hundred dollar difference. And these wireless headphones sound good for $150.

Also worth noting, the spatial audio here is not a fully immersive experience but just a virtual upmix of existing stereo audio (the headphones only have one driver per side). Its an interesting inclusion that adds a little space
to any audio Im listening to, but is fairly nuanced to the point where you might not even realize that its on.

On the other hand, the battery life on the JBL Live 680NC is outright impressive. You get 80 hours on a single charge without ANC on, and 50 hours of use with it on. A fast charge of five minutes gives an additional four hours of use. Sound performance: 4 / 5 (Image credit: Future / James Holland) JBL Live 680NC: Value Great value proposition Comes with similar tradeoffs of other budget / mid-tier headphones As fully featured as anything else at this price point The JBL Live 680NC is a very good value proposition. I do like
the JBL Live 780NC more it sounds better and has a better fit but its $250 price tag might be a big ask for some. And the JBL Live 680NC still sound
good if slightly different, having a warmer sound signature while still have the same battery life and feature set of the more expensive headphones.

Other headphones trying to bridge the gap between budget and mid-tier end up closer in price to the 780NC than the 680NC. The Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 , for example, are a pair of headphones that I really enjoyed that also came with a handful of compromises to keep cost down, except that cost is higher
at $229.99 / 199 / AU$314. They sound good but not great, have an interesting look, great battery life, and solid implementation of ANC. Value: 4.5/5
Should I buy the JBL Live 680NC? Swipe to scroll horizontally JBL Live 680NC scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

ANC, Ambient Aware, a parametric EQ, and spatial audio are just some of whats on offer.

5/5

Design

These headphones are portable, look good, and fit well, though they do put a little pressure on the top of the head.

4/5

Performance

The JBL Live 680NC sound good, despite having too much bass and a bit of high-end roll off. The battery life is impressive, though.

4/5

Value

You get a lot for the price with these headphones. Despite the compromises, these are a great value.

4.5/5 Buy them if

You want it all without spending a lot The JBL Live 680NC offer a lot from ANC and personalized EQ to spatial audio, while keeping the price pretty affordable.

You want a ridiculously long battery life Being able to use the headphones for up to 80 hours without a charge is seriously impressive. Being able to
get an additional four hours from five minutes of charging even more so. Dont buy them if

You want audiophile quality sound These headphones sound good, but, despite the high resolution capabilities, dont quite have the clarity or sound signature for particular listeners.

You have a sensitive head My head didnt hurt from using these headphones for a long listening session, but I did feel the pressure on top of my head. If youre sensitive, you might want to consider something else, like the Live 780NC. JBL Live 680NC: Also consider

JBL Live 780NC The JBL Live 780NC have the same everything-but-the-kitchen-sink feature set and ridiculously long battery life, along with some of the same negatives like that overwhelming low end
and lack of charging cable. But theyre a little more comfortable to wear and do sound better. Theyre also a hundred bucks more. Read our full JBL Live 780NC review

Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 The Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 are just a little cheaper while still providing a good looking (and feeling) pair of headphones that travel well and come with an almost as impressive battery life. Theyre more limited in features though, and dont wow in the audio department (they
do still sound good). Read our full Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 review How I tested the JBL Live 780NC Tested over a week period Tested with different music as well as video streaming Tested the various features I spent a week using the JBL Live 680NC as my daily headphones. While using them, I listened to all sorts of genres from electronic and hip hop to rock and acoustic music to compare the frequency range and soundstage. I also tested the various settings such as ANC, transparency mode, EQ, and multipoint.

Ive spent the last few years reviewing audio equipment and have spent even longer using my critical ear as a listener and musician to understand what does and doesnt sound good. First reviewed in April 2026 Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee JBL Live 680 NC: Price Comparison 109.20 View 129.99 119 View 196.37 View 204.81 View 234.62 View Show more We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by



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