JBL Live 660NC Vs 460NC (2022): Over-Ear Vs On-Ear Noise ...

JBL has a wide variety of headphones for pretty much every type of user. From Bluetooth headphones to true wireless earbuds, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to the brand’s offerings. In this post, we’ll be comparing the JBL Live 660NC and the JBL Live 460NC. These two headphones are part of the same Live series of headphones but they have one major distinction—one pair is over-ear and the other is on-ear. Which of these styles is right for you? Here’s our JBL Live 660NC review and comparison against the JBL Live 460NC.

Navigation

• JBL Live 660NC vs 460NC Comparison Chart
• Design
• Features
• Performance
• Verdict
• FAQs

JBL Live 660NC vs 460NC Comparison Chart

Model	JBL Live 660NC	JBL Live 460NC
Price	Check price at Amazon	Check price at Amazon
Style	Over-ear	On-ear
Weight	265g	210g
Frequency Response	16 Hz – 20 kHz	20Hz – 20kHz
Driver Size	40mm	40mm
Voice Assistant	Yes	Yes
Adaptive Noise Cancelling	Yes	Yes
Ambient Aware	Yes	Yes
Battery	50 hours (ANC off)50 hours (ANC on)2 hours charging time	50 hours (ANC off)50 hours (ANC on)2 hours charging time
What’s in the Box?	USB-C charging cableAudio cableCarrying pouch	USB-C charging cableAudio cable

Design

The JBL Live 660NC are over-ear headphones while the Live 460NC are on-ear.

Right off the bat, the biggest difference with these headphones is their style. The JBL Live 660NC are over-ear headphones, whereas the JBL Live 460NC are on-ear cans. These styles have various pros and cons to them. The over-ear design of the Live 660NC can be more comfortable since it covers the entire ear and it can provide better noise isolation, as well as a more defined lower end sound. However it can trap heat when worn over long periods.

Meanwhile, the on-ear style of the Live 460NC is more breathable since your entire ears are not covered. Also, these are less bulky, so they are easier to pack in a bag when travelling. That said, headphones with an on-ear design can cause discomfort since they are pressing against your ear, especially when used for extended hours.

Aside from their styles, there really is not much difference between the two. They have similar build qualities, with both of them having a mostly plastic build reinforced by a metal frame. The ear cups are padded with faux leather and the headbands are covered with mesh fabric for comfort.

When it comes to portability, the JBL Live 460NC have the advantage since these are less bulky. That said, both headphones’ ear cups can swivel 90-degrees, so they can be placed inside a bag neatly. You can get both the JBL Live 660NC and 460NC in black, blue and white colors.

Features

The JBL Live 660NC wireless over-ear noise cancelling headphones and 460NC on-ear headphones have the same set of features.

Features-wise, these headphones are identical. Both headphones can be used wired with a cable (included) and via Bluetooth wireless. They also have integrated microphones for taking calls, as well as for voice assistant controls. You can set your preferred voice assistant using the JBL app.

Aside from those features, these headphones also have adaptive noise cancelling. Their noise cancelling is effective in blocking out mid-range and high frequency noise more than low frequency noise. They also have Ambient Aware, which allows you to turn up the volume of your surroundings. This is especially helpful when going for a run and when walking down busy streets. Additionally, these headphones also have TalkThru, which lowers the volume of your music and amplifies speech.

Performance

The JBL Live 660NC’s bass is slightly more emphasized than that of the Live 460NC.

Even though these two have the same internal components and speaker drivers, they don’t sound the same. This is due to their design. The over-ear style of the JBL Live 660NC headphones has a more bass-heavy sound profile. You’ll hear a bit more oomph and thump coming from these headphones. The mid-range is flat and accurate, while the high frequency range is a bit underemphasized.

On the other hand, the on-ear style of the JBL Live 460NC provides lot less boomy bass response. That said, there’s no shortage of bass here, these headphones deliver a satisfying bass, just not to the same level as the 660NC. The mid-range is accurate, while the high frequency sounds are a bit underemphasized as well.

The two headphones have similar battery performance. They have a battery life of up to 50 hours when ANC is not enabled and they can run for 40 hours with Bluetooth and active noise cancelling enabled. The charging time is more or less 2 hours for both headphones.

Verdict

Choosing between the two will come down to which style of headphones you prefer.

JBL Live 660NC

Choose if you want over-ear headphones

JBL Live 460NC

Choose if you prefer on-ear headphones

The biggest difference between the JBL Live 660NC and the JBL Live 460NC is their style. The former are over-ears while the latter are on-ears. In terms of features and performance, they are quite similar. They both have active noise cancelling, voice assistant integration, integrated mics for taking calls and they also have Ambient Aware and TalkThru functions. When it comes to sound, the JBL Live 660NC offer a more bass-heavy profile, but that’s about the only difference. If you prefer a pair of over-ear headphones, the JBL Live 660NC are the obvious choice. However, if you want the less bulky build of an on-ear pair of headphones, you should go with the JBL Live 460NC.

FAQs

JBL does not provide an IP rating for the JBL Live 660NC.

Yes, the JBL Live 660NC are worth it if you are looking for a pair of noise cancelling headphones with an affordable price tag.

Yes, the JBL Live 460NC have an integrated microphone.

It has its advantages and disadvantages. Headphones with an over-ear style can be more comfortable and provide a fuller sound than on-ear headphones. However, they can also trap heat when worn for a long time and they are bulkier.