JBL's Live Series headphones offer wireless and noise-cancelling for less

JBL Live 660NC
(Image credit: JBL)

JBL has expanded its Live Series of wireless noise-cancelling headphones, which currently includes, among others, the "fun" JBL Live 650BTNC over-ears and feature-filled JBL Live 300TWS true wireless buds. The US firm has announced three new models: JBL Live Pro+, JBL Live 660NC and JBL Live 460NC. 

The new line-up keeps the range's diversity by including a mix of true wireless, over-ear and on-ear headphones. Each comes with Bluetooth, noise-cancelling with 'Smart Ambient' (letting you hear surrounding noise when you need to), auto play/pause wearer detection, plus hands-free control for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice assistants.

JBL Live Pro+

(Image credit: JBL)

Kicking off with the 'Best of Innovation Honoree' at the CES 2021 Innovation Awards, the JBL Live Pro+ true wireless buds (above) feature a familiar 'toothbrush head' design and, in addition to the range's universal features listed above, are IPX4 water-resistant (so resistant to splashes from all directions). Thanks to Qi compatible wireless charging, a 10-minute quick charge provides an hour of playback.

JBL Live Pro+

(Image credit: JBL)

You also get USB-C charging, My JBL Headphones app support, up to seven hours of playback in the earbuds (or six hours if using noise-cancelling), and a compact charging case that holds an extra 21 hours of battery life. 

The JBL Live PRO+ will be available from April for £170 in four colour options – black, white, pink and beige.

JBL Live 660NC

(Image credit: JBL)

For those who prefer an over-ear headphone design, the JBL LIVE 660NC (pictured above) feature up to 40 hours of battery life with noise-cancelling activated, or an even more impressive 50 hours without it. A 10-minute speed charge will also bag a promised four hours of playtime.

Multi-point connection capabilities should enable effortless swapping between two separate devices, too.

The JBL Live 660NC will be available to buy from March for £160 in three colour options – black, blue and white.

JBL Live 460NC

(Image credit: JBL)

The JBL Live 460NC on-ear headphones (pictured above) are billed as the most economical option in the updated Live Series roster, but mirror much of their pricier counterparts' functionality. There's Adaptive Noise Cancelling with Smart Ambient technology, My JBL Headphones app support, Hotword and Device Action voice compatibility, and 50 hours of total battery life complete with quick charge bragging rights.

The earcups also rotate to lie flat and can fold upwards towards the headband for easier storage and portability, too.

The JBL LIVE 460NC will be available from March for £120 in your choice of black, blue, white or rose finishes.

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Becky has been a full-time staff writer at What Hi-Fi? since March 2019. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, she freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 20-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance is of course tethered to a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo, This is Cabaret and The Stage. When not writing, she dances, spins in the air, drinks coffee, watches football or surfs in Cornwall with her other half – a football writer whose talent knows no bounds.