Review: JBL Live 650BTNC

The live series are JBL’s youth headphones for an urban lifestyle. JBL Live 650BTNC is the top model which, unlike the others, has noise reduction. With regard to the device, it is acceptable to only have a fabric bag for storage rather than a case. It also comes with a micro-USB charging cable as well as an audio cable which for once also has a more easily accessible remote control.

Construction and comfort

Since these are supposed to be street headphones more than something for discreet users, it is no wonder that they have a prominent JBL logo. They are available in black, white or blue. Thanks to the fact that the clocks can both be turned and folded, the headphones take up relatively little space in the luggage. The feeling of quality on the hangers’ clothes, watches and the metal in the hoop is good. On the other hand, the hinges look a little bad in our eyes and can probably be a hot spot. We probably think that the hoop could have been more padded and the ear pads are so tight that you get sweaty around the ears when listening for a long time.

Features and handling

For some reason, JBL has placed all the buttons on the right clock, which makes it difficult to distinguish them from each other. There is a separate Bluetooth connection button, a button to turn on and off the noise reduction, volume controls same a multifunction button. It is used to answer the phone, start and pause music, and activate the phones’ voice assistant. Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are officially supported. There is also an app to set the voice assistant, upgrade the software and set the EQ. Despite the old micro-USB connector charging the battery in just two hours, and a 15 minute fast charge provides 2 hours of continued listening.

Sound quality and noise reduction

To begin with, the noise reduction has a noticeable own soda that is disturbing if you try to keep it completely quiet. And if you only play music, it sounds a bit hissed and it sounds absent and little in the remote control. Oddly enough, the 650BTNC actually sounds better if you turn off the noise reduction, which creates a better presence and takes the top of the treble. On the other hand, the bass hums and you pull down the battery to no avail.

Conclusion

We have a bit of a hard time understanding ourselves on JBL Live 650BTNC. On the one hand, this should be a youthful street headphone, but on the other hand, the sound is thin and bland. On the one hand, you can turn on the noise reduction to get a slightly more engaging sound, but on the other hand, it draws power from the battery to no avail. On the one hand you have an app to make settings easier, but on the other hand the buttons are difficult to use. If it is not the case that you absolutely want the headphones with the toughest look, there are better choices in the test.