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  1. Home
  2. Headphones
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style
    2. Comfort
    3. Controls
    4. Breathability
    5. Portability
    6. Case
    7. Build Quality
    8. Stability
    9. Headshots 1
    10. Headshots 2
    11. Top
    12. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Sound Profile
    2. Frequency Response Consistency
    3. Raw Frequency Response
    4. Bass Accuracy
    5. Mid Accuracy
    6. Treble Accuracy
    7. Peaks/Dips
    8. Imaging
    9. Passive Soundstage
    10. Virtual Soundstage
    11. Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    12. Test Settings
  6. Isolation
    1. Noise Isolation
    2. Leakage
  7. Microphone
    1. Microphone Style
    2. Recording Quality
    3. Noise Handling
  8. Active Features
    1. Battery
    2. App Support
  9. Connectivity
    1. Bluetooth
    2. Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    3. Wired
    4. PC Compatibility
    5. PlayStation Compatibility
    6. Xbox Compatibility
    7. Base/Dock
  10. Comments

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless vs Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Jan 15, 2024 08:01 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Jun 03, 2024 03:44 PM

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JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Picture
TypeIn-ear
EnclosureClosed-Back
WirelessTruly Wireless
TransducerDynamic
Noise CancellingYes
MicYes
TypeEarbuds
EnclosureClosed-Back
WirelessTruly Wireless
TransducerDynamic
Noise CancellingYes
MicYes

Variants

  • Live Free NC+ TWS (Black)
  • Live Free NC+ TWS (Blue)
  • Live Free NC+ TWS (Pink)
  • Live Free NC+ TWS (White)
  • QuietComfort Earbuds (Sandstone)
  • QuietComfort Earbuds (Soapstone)
  • QuietComfort Earbuds (Stone Blue)
  • QuietComfort Earbuds (Triple Black)

Review

See JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Review
See Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Review
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0 

Our Verdict

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless. The Bose are better-built, have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and have longer continuous battery life. Their ANC also does a better job of blocking background noise around you. However, the JBL are more comfortable, and their companion app offers a parametric EQ and presets, which some users may prefer compared to the Bose's graphic EQ and presets.

0 

Check Price

Black
Live Free NC+ TWS
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Sandstone
QuietComfort Earbuds
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Blue
Live Free NC+ TWS
Searching
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Soapstone
QuietComfort Earbuds
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Pink
Live Free NC+ TWS
Searching
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Stone Blue
QuietComfort Earbuds
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White
Live Free NC+ TWS
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Triple Black
QuietComfort Earbuds
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Main Differences for
Neutral Sound

Threshold 

0.10

Neutral Sound 

7.6
7.6
No major differences between these headphones for neutral sound. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture 2  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Design Picture 2
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Design Picture 2

Type  

In-ear
Earbuds

Enclosure  

Closed-Back
Closed-Back

Wireless  

Truly Wireless
Truly Wireless

Transducer  

Dynamic
Dynamic
Show Text 

Comfort 
 

7.5
7.0

Comfort Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Comfort Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Comfort Picture

Weight  

0.03 lbs
0.03 lbs

Clamping Force 
 

0 lbs
0 lbs
Show Text 

Controls 
 

6.7
7.2

Controls Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Controls Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Controls Picture

OS Compatibility 
 

Not OS specific
Not OS specific

Ease Of Use  

Good
Okay

Feedback  

Good
Okay

Call/Music Control  

Yes
Yes

Volume Control  

No
Yes

Microphone Control  

Mute/Unmute
No

Channel Mixing 
 

No
No

Noise Cancelling Control  

On/Off
Presets

Talk-Through 
 

On/Off
On/Off

Additional Controls  

Voice Assistant
Voice Assistant
Show Text 

Breathability 
 

9.2
9.2

Breathability After Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Breathability After Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Breathability After Picture

Avg.Temp.Difference  

0.8 °C
0.8 °C
Show Text 

Portability 
 

9.5
9.2

Portability Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Portability Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Portability Picture

L  

1.1" (2.8 cm)
2.0" (5.1 cm)

W  

1.3" (3.3 cm)
1.5" (3.8 cm)

H  

1.0" (2.5 cm)
1.0" (2.5 cm)

Volume  

1.30 in³ (21.30 cm³)
2.90 in³ (47.52 cm³)

Transmitter Required  

No
No
Show Text 

Case 
 

7.5
7.5

Case Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Case Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Case Picture

Type  

Hard case
Hard case

L  

2.4" (6.1 cm)
3.5" (8.9 cm)

W  

1.2" (3.0 cm)
2.0" (5.1 cm)

H  

1.4" (3.6 cm)
1.4" (3.6 cm)

Volume  

3.90 in³ (63.91 cm³)
9.40 in³ (154.04 cm³)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

7.5
8.0

Build Quality Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Build Quality Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Build Quality Picture
Show Text 

Stability 
 

8.0
8.0

Stability Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Stability Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Stability Picture
Show Text 

Headshots 1  

Angled Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Angled Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Angled Picture

Side Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Side Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Side Picture

Headshots 2  

Front Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Front Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Front Picture

Rear Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Rear Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Rear Picture

Top  

Top Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Top Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Top Picture

In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless In The Box Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless In The Box Picture
Show Text 
Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Bass Amount 
 

-0.32 dB
0.33 dB

Treble Amount 
 

-1.16 dB
-1.28 dB
Show Text 

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

9.3
9.4

Consistency L  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Consistency R  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Avg. Std. Deviation 
 

0.15 dB
0.13 dB
Show Text 

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Raw FR R  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Bass Accuracy 
 

9.1
9.1

Bass  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Std. Err. 
 

1.13 dB
1.36 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

29.54 Hz
11.23 Hz

Low-Bass 
 

-1.99 dB
1.88 dB

Mid-Bass 
 

0.45 dB
1.66 dB

High-Bass 
 

-0.47 dB
0.3 dB
Show Text 

Mid Accuracy 
 

8.8
9.1

Mid  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Std. Err. 
 

1.56 dB
1.22 dB

Low-Mid 
 

0.02 dB
0.01 dB

Mid-Mid 
 

-1.96 dB
-0.36 dB

High-Mid 
 

-1.14 dB
1.49 dB
Show Text 

Treble Accuracy 
 

7.9
8.1

Treble  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Std. Err. 
 

3.23 dB
2.91 dB

Low-Treble 
 

-2.32 dB
1.69 dB

Mid-Treble 
 

-2.62 dB
-0.87 dB

High-Treble 
 

-3.31 dB
-6.21 dB
Show Text 

Peaks/Dips 
 

8.6
8.1

Peaks/Dips Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Peaks 
 

0.96 dB
1.24 dB

Dips 
 

0.83 dB
0.78 dB
Show Text 

Imaging 
 

9.2
8.6

Group Delay  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Phase Response Mismatch  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted Group Delay 
 

0.2
0.17

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

1.94
11.15

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

0.25
0.53

Weighted Frequency Mismatch 
 

1.19
1.2
Show Text 

Passive Soundstage 
 

1.0
0.9

PRTF  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless PRTF
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless PRTF

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.) 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF Distance 
 

N/A
N/A

Openness 
 

4.0
1.6

Acoustic Space Excitation 
 

0.8
1.8
Show Text 

Virtual Soundstage 
 

0.0
0.0

Virtual Soundstage  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Virtual Soundstage
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Virtual Soundstage

Head Modeling 
 

No
No

Speaker Modeling 
 

No
No

Room Ambience 
 

No
No

Head Tracking 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

No
No

Weighted Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.2
8.2

Weighted Harmonic Distortion  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

WHD @ 90 
 

0.211
0.167

WHD @ 100 
 

0.078
0.092
Show Text 

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

v2.2.0
1.0.7-9846+620b71c

Power 
 

On
On

Connection 
 

Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0

Codec 
 

SBC, 16-bit, 48kHz
SBC, 16-bit, 48kHz

EQ 
 

Off
No EQ

ANC 
 

On
High

Tip/Pad 
 

Silicone (small)
Silicone (small)

Microphone 
 

Integrated
Integrated
Show Text 
Isolation

Noise Isolation 
 

5.5
8.4

Noise Isolation  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Isolation Audio 
 

Overall Attenuation 
 

-14.84 dB
-23.09 dB

Noise Cancelling  

Yes
Yes

Bass 
 

-2.76 dB
-17.22 dB

Mid 
 

-13.85 dB
-22.51 dB

Treble 
 

-28.95 dB
-30.02 dB
Show Text 

Leakage 
 

9.3
8.4

Leakage  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Leakage Audio 
 

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

25.45 dB
30.95 dB
Show Text 
Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

Yes
Yes

In-Line 
 

No
No

Boom 
 

No
No

Detachable Boom 
 

No
No

Mic  

Yes
Yes

Recording Quality 
 

5.9
6.5

Microphone Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Recorded Speech 
 

LFE 
 

604.08 Hz
184.86 Hz

FR Std. Dev. 
 

4.7 dB
6.89 dB

HFE 
 

4,974.24 Hz
7,782.91 Hz

Weighted THD 
 

0.029
1.863

Gain 
 

-12.45 dB
9.2 dB
Show Text 

Noise Handling 
 

6.2
4.3

SpNR  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SpNR 
 

10.58 dB
12.18 dB

Noise Gate 
 

Always On
Always On

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

7.0
4.5

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

5.0
4.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

Show Text 
Active Features

Battery 
 

6.9
7.1

Battery Type 
 

Rechargable
Rechargable

Continuous Battery Life 
 

5.4 hrs
7.3 hrs

Additional Charges 
 

2.0
2.0

Total Battery Life 
 

16.2 hrs
21.9 hrs

Charge Time 
 

1.3 hrs
1.5 hrs

Power-Saving Feature 
 

Auto-Off Timer
Standby mode

Audio While Charging 
 

Yes
Yes

Passive Playback 
 

No
No

Charging Port  

USB-C
USB-C
Show Text 

App Support 
 

8.0
8.0

App Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless App Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless App Picture

App Name  

JBL Headphones
Bose Music

iOS  

Yes
Yes

Android  

Yes
Yes

macOS  

No
No

Windows  

No
No

Equalizer 
 

Parametric + Presets
Graphic + Presets

ANC Control 
 

On/Off
Presets

Mic Control  

No
No

Room Effects 
 

No
No

Playback Control 
 

No
Yes

Button Mapping  

Yes
Yes

Surround Support 
 

No
No
Show Text 
Connectivity

Bluetooth 
 

6.9
7.1

Bluetooth Version 
 

5.1
5.1

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
No

NFC Pairing 
 

No
No

Line Of Sight Range 
 

197.00 ft (60.05 m)
219.00 ft (66.75 m)

PC Latency (SBC) 
 

179 ms
172 ms

PC Latency (aptX) 
 

N/A
N/A

PC Latency (aptX HD) 
 

N/A
N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL) 
 

N/A
N/A

iOS Latency 
 

81 ms
38 ms

Android Latency 
 

116 ms
81 ms
Show Text 

Non-Bluetooth Wireless 
 

0.0
0.0

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Non-BT Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Wired 
 

0.0
0.0

Cable Picture  

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless Cable Picture
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Cable Picture

Analog Audio 
 

No
No

USB Audio 
 

No
No

Detachable  

No
No

Length  

N/A
N/A

Connection 
 

No Wired Option
No Wired Option

Analog/USB Audio Latency 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

No
No

Wired USB 
 

No
No

Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS4 Analog 
 

No
No

PS4 Wired USB 
 

No
No

PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No

PS5 Analog 
 

No
No

PS5 Wired USB 
 

No
No

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

No
No

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

No
No

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

No
No

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

No
No

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Base/Dock 
 

2.2
2.2

Type 
 

Charging Case
Charging Case

USB Input 
 

No
No

Line In 
 

No
No

Line Out 
 

No
No

Optical Input 
 

No
No

RCA Input 
 

No
No

Dock Charging 
 

Yes
Yes

Power Supply 
 

USB-C
USB-C
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Live Free NC+ TWS
Searching
Finding store
Sandstone
QuietComfort Earbuds
Searching
Finding store
Blue
Live Free NC+ TWS
Searching
Finding store
Soapstone
QuietComfort Earbuds
Searching
Finding store
Pink
Live Free NC+ TWS
Searching
Finding store
Stone Blue
QuietComfort Earbuds
Searching
Finding store
White
Live Free NC+ TWS
Searching
Finding store
Triple Black
QuietComfort Earbuds
Searching
Finding store
Back to Top

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless vs Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless: Main Discussion

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