JBL Live 660NCFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 53 mentions across 14 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment58%
PROS 58%
CONS 42%

Rank based on 53 mentions across 14 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You find them on sale ($60-$100) rather than full retail
  • You want bass-forward sound for pop, hip-hop or electronic music
  • You need long battery life and foldable portability for travel

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You want reference-flat, detailed audio for jazz or classical
  • You need ANC as strong as Sony XM3/XM4 level
  • You rely heavily on PC gaming mic and multipoint Bluetooth switching

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Transparency ModeNoise CancellationSound QualityiOS/Apple Ecosystem Lock-inDurability/Crackling ConcernsHigh Price
Transparency Mode
Noise Cancellation
Sound Quality
iOS/Apple Ecosystem Lock-in
Durability/Crackling Concerns
High Price
2Mid
Signature haptic bass slider
Signature haptic bass slider
3Premium
Exceptional comfortStrong for gaming and imagingImprovement over HD 650/6XXIrritating L/R lettering inside padsBuild/pad quality issues reportedHigh price relative to alternatives
Exceptional comfort
Strong for gaming and imaging
Improvement over HD 650/6XX
Irritating L/R lettering inside pads
Build/pad quality issues reported
High price relative to alternatives
4Mid
Exceptional durabilityBalanced, quality soundFully repairable/modularCable-to-driver cutout issuesStrong clamping forceUnconventional cable entry side
Exceptional durability
Balanced, quality sound
Fully repairable/modular
Cable-to-driver cutout issues
Strong clamping force
Unconventional cable entry side
5Mid
Exceptional comfort
Exceptional comfort
Best value
6Premium
Smooth, detailed treble and clarityStrong perceived value and end-game satisfactionTight, deep bassHigh price pointSibilant or fatiguing treble for sensitive earsTight fit for larger ears
Smooth, detailed treble and clarity
Strong perceived value and end-game satisfaction
Tight, deep bass
High price point
Sibilant or fatiguing treble for sensitive ears
Tight fit for larger ears
7Premium
Excellent Call and Mic QualityAll-Day ComfortIndustry-Leading Noise CancellationHigh Price PointInconsistent Call Clarity in Certain EnvironmentsBluetooth Pairing Problems
Excellent Call and Mic Quality
All-Day Comfort
Industry-Leading Noise Cancellation
High Price Point
Inconsistent Call Clarity in Certain Environments
Bluetooth Pairing Problems
8Premium
Neutral, accurate soundExceptional comfortGreat detail and resolutionPerceived as 'boring' by some listenersElevated mid-bass/sub-bass not fully neutralSound highly dependent on seal and source
Neutral, accurate sound
Exceptional comfort
Great detail and resolution
Perceived as 'boring' by some listeners
Elevated mid-bass/sub-bass not fully neutral
Sound highly dependent on seal and source
9Budget
Exceptional value for moneyOutstanding comfortDetailed, neutral sound signatureLight or rolled-off bassCheap-feeling build qualityPerceived treble grain/sibilance
Exceptional value for money
Outstanding comfort
Detailed, neutral sound signature
Light or rolled-off bass
Cheap-feeling build quality
Perceived treble grain/sibilance
10Budget
Excellent Sound Quality for PriceComfortable for Extended UseNo Charging RequiredLimited Noise IsolationBuild Quality ConcernsNot Secure for Active Use
Excellent Sound Quality for Price
Comfortable for Extended Use
No Charging Required
Limited Noise Isolation
Build Quality Concerns
Not Secure for Active Use
You are here
31Mid
JBL Live 660NC
Great value on saleRich, bass-heavy soundComfortable fit for manyANC weaker than premium rivalsUncomfortable ear pressureAnnoying touch controls and auto-pause
JBL Live 660NC
Great value on sale
Rich, bass-heavy sound
Comfortable fit for many
ANC weaker than premium rivals
Uncomfortable ear pressure
Annoying touch controls and auto-pause

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound is big on bass but inconsistent in quality control. Commenters repeatedly describe the Live 660NC as very bass-heavy, which works well for pop, techno and house but disappoints listeners of jazz, rock or classical who want neutral, detailed sound. Several users experienced bass saturation, crackling or muddy vocals when noise cancelling was active, prompting returns. Others, however, call the sound rich, full and comparable to much pricier headphones in blind tests.

Comfort and fit vary widely between users. Many wearers say the headphones fit perfectly, are soft enough to fall asleep in, and suit larger heads well thanks to their clamping design. Just as many report the opposite: hard earcups causing pressure pain, headaches in the first weeks of ANC use, and poor fit for smaller heads. Foam padding has also caused ear discomfort for some new owners.

Noise cancelling and app features are useful but flawed. ANC is praised for blocking airport and plane noise and is called a good value proposition at this price, though several commenters note it clearly trails Sony's XM3/XM4 performance and struggles with wind noise. Software issues are common complaints: the JBL app sometimes fails entirely, auto-pause triggers unwantedly, touch controls interrupt music accidentally, and PC/Android pairing and mic-quality problems frustrate a meaningful share of users.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?