REVIEW: JBL Live 780NC Headphones – Long Life, Loud Bass, Plenty Of Smarts
Joe Gallop
01 Jun 2026
JBL’s Live 780NC headphones arrive as a serious mid-range noise-cancelling option, with big battery life, big bass and a price below flagship ANC rivals.
Priced at A$249, they sit below JBL’s more premium models but still pack in a generous feature list: adaptive noise cancellation, Hi-Res Audio support, Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint pairing, Auracast, JBL Spatial Sound, app-based EQ and a claimed 80 hours of battery life with ANC off.
Design-wise, the Live 780NC are clean and modern rather than flashy. The champagne finish, which my pair came in, gives them a more lifestyle-focused look, while the foldable over-ear design makes them easy enough to throw into a bag.
JBL includes a soft pouch rather than a hard case, which is disappointing at this price, though the headphones themselves feel sturdy thanks to a metal hinge and soft ear cushioning. Personally, I’m not a massive fan of the design, with the smaller outer circular panel looking a little undersized against the much larger ear pad.
Comfort is one of the headphone’s stronger points. The over-ear fit is secure without being too clampy and the lightweight build makes them suitable for long commutes, office use or extended listening sessions.
Sound is where the JBL personality comes through most clearly. These are not neutral headphones, the Live 780NC deliver a big, bass-forward sound. There is good clarity through the mids and highs, and the soundstage is pleasingly wide for the price. I did find the bass can dominate some tracks, but thankfully the JBL Headphones app offers strong EQ controls and a quick tweak can make them sound more balanced.
Noise cancellation is solid rather than class-leading. The six-microphone True Adaptive ANC 2.0 system does a good job reducing constant low-end sounds like traffic, air conditioning and train rumble, though voices and sharper background noise can still cut through. Transparency and ambient modes are useful, and JBL’s app gives plenty of control over how much of the outside world you want to hear.
Call quality is more mixed. JBL’s AI-assisted microphone system does a decent job suppressing background noise, but voice quality can sound processed depending on conditions. It is fine for everyday calls, but not best-in-class.
Battery life is excellent. Up to 50 hours with ANC on, or 80 hours with ANC off, puts the Live 780NC ahead of many rivals. A five-minute fast charge delivering around four hours of playback is also handy.
The JBL Live 780NC are not perfect and those chasing the most refined ANC or neutral sound may want to compare alternatives. But for $249, they offer comfort, strong battery life, big sound and a very complete feature set.
Rating: 7/10
Pros
- Excellent battery life
- Comfortable over-ear fit
- Strong feature set for the price
- Good app with EQ and personalisation
- Solid adaptive noise cancellation
Cons
- Soft pouch instead of hard case
- Bass can be overpowering without EQ
- ANC is good but not class-leading
