Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Ananda
76Great
$250
Full review dataHiFiMAN Ananda vs JBL Live 780NC: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN Ananda comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 76. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN Ananda - Great overall at around $249.
Over-Ear
JBL Live 780NC
70Good
$200
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
JBL Live 780NC leads on 5 of 7 measures.
- HiFiMAN Ananda
- JBL Live 780NC
HearWiki score
76
70
Sound
8.0
7.5
Noise cancelling
-
7.0
Battery
-
9.0
Calls
-
6.5
Value
7.0
7.5
Price (USD)
$250
$200
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the JBL Live 780NC adds USB-C.
- AnandaYear unknown
- Live 780NC2026
What differsAnandaLive 780NC
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
Everyday features
Specifications
AnandaLive 780NC
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $250
- $200
- HearWiki score
- 76
- 70
- Released
- -
- 2026
- Availability
- Availability unknown
- Sold new
- Driver
- planar magnetic
- 40 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- -
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 55 kHz
- 10 Hz - 40 kHz
- Sound signature
- neutral
- -
- Impedance
- 26 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 93 dB/mW
- 98 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- -
- 6.0
- Codecs
- -
- SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- -
- Yes
- Battery life
- -
- 80 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- -
- 50 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 120 min
- Wireless charging
- -
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- Yes
- ANC type
- -
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- -
- Yes
- Companion app
- -
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Controls
- -
- touch
- Voice assistant
- -
- Yes
- Weight
- 399 g
- 260 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Foldable
- No
- Yes
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- -
- Microphones
- -
- 4
What reviewers said
HiFiMAN Ananda
The HiFiMAN Ananda is an open-back planar headphone that offers a neutral, highly detailed sound with a wide, airy soundstage. It is notably easier to drive than many other planars, making it a practical choice for use with lighter or portable gear, while also providing long-lasting comfort for extended listening. Its balanced tuning and technical refinement make it a strong contender for critical listening, though its basic cable and mediocre gaming performance hold it back slightly.
- Pro:Easy to drive for a planar design
- Pro:Spacious and well-defined soundstage
- Pro:Comfortable for long listening sessions
- Con:Stock cable feels cheap and basic
- Con:Not ideal for gaming use
- Con:Slightly bright treble can be fatiguing at high volumes
JBL Live 780NC
The JBL Live 780NC is a wireless over-ear headphone with active noise cancellation, delivering an impressively long battery life of up to 80 hours and a wide frequency range up to 40 kHz. It supports modern Bluetooth 6 with multipoint pairing and high-resolution audio codecs like LDAC and LDHC, all in a lightweight 260-gram frame. This model is a solid choice for travelers and daily commuters who prioritize battery stamina and wireless versatility over water resistance.
- Pro:Exceptional battery life of 80 hours
- Pro:Supports high-quality LDAC and LDHC codecs
- Pro:Lightweight design at 260 grams for comfort
- Con:No water resistance rating
- Con:Lacks a wired connection option
- Con:Sensitivity of 98 dB may require moderate volume for some listeners
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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