JBL has expanded its Live headphone range with two new wireless models designed to deliver long battery life and enhanced noise cancellation. The latest additions, called the Live 780NC and Live 680NC, enter an increasingly competitive market that includes major rivals such as Sony and Bose.
The two headphones share many of the same features but differ in design. The Live 780NC is an over-ear model, while the Live 680NC uses an on-ear format. Both versions rely on 40 mm dynamic drivers that are intended to provide balanced audio for music, movies and everyday listening.
JBL has updated the look of the Live series with a more streamlined design. The headphones feature smoother surfaces, metallic accents and a refined overall finish compared with earlier versions. Both models fold flat for easier storage and include soft-touch ear cushions designed to improve comfort during long listening sessions.
Users can control playback and other functions through a mix of physical buttons and touch controls. These controls can be customised through the JBL Headphone mobile application, allowing listeners to tailor settings to their preferences.
The new models also incorporate JBL’s True Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0 technology. This system adjusts noise filtering in real time in order to reduce background distractions more effectively. The updated processing system aims to improve the ability of the headphones to block external sounds compared with previous generations.
Call quality has also been addressed with the addition of two beam-forming microphones combined with an AI-based noise reduction system. The technology is designed to help isolate the user’s voice while minimising surrounding noise such as traffic or wind during phone calls or voice chats.
One of the most notable features of the new headphones is their battery performance. JBL says the Live 780NC and Live 680NC can operate for up to 50 hours with active noise cancellation enabled. When noise cancellation is turned off, playback time can extend to about 80 hours.
The headphones also include JBL Spatial Sound for a more immersive listening experience when watching films or listening to music. Support for LE Audio and LDAC Bluetooth codecs is included to improve wireless audio quality, while Bluetooth Multipoint allows the headphones to connect to two devices at the same time.
JBL is offering the new models in five colour options including Champagne, White and Black, alongside new Green and Blue finishes.
The JBL Live 780NC is available to order at a price of A$385, while the Live 680NC is priced at A$247. Availability in additional markets has not yet been confirmed.
