Skip to content
HearWiki

JBL Live 780NC vs Nothing Headphone (a): which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Nothing Headphone (a) comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 80. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Nothing Headphone (a) - Great overall at around $162.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Nothing Headphone (a) leads on 5 of 7 measures.

  • JBL Live 780NC
  • Nothing Headphone (a)
HearWiki score
70
80
Sound
7.5
7.4
Noise cancelling
7.0
7.9
Battery
9.0
10.0
Calls
6.5
6.5
Value
7.5
9.1
Price (USD)
$200
$160

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?

Half a step newer

Both shipped in 2026. The JBL Live 780NC edges ahead on platform, but only just: Bluetooth 6.0 against 5.4. The Nothing Headphone (a) answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance (IP52).

  • Live 780NC2026
  • Headphone (a)2026
What differsLive 780NCHeadphone (a)

Platform

Bluetooth
6.0
5.4

Everyday features

Water resistance
Not rated
IP52

Level on: Top codec, ANC type, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

Live 780NCHeadphone (a)
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$200
$160
HearWiki score
70
80
Released
2026
2026
Availability
Sold new
Sold new
Driver
40 mm dynamic
40 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
40 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
10 Hz - 40 kHz
20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
32 Ω
-
Sensitivity
98 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
6.0
5.4
Codecs
SBC, AAC, LDAC
SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Battery life
80 h
135 h
Battery life (ANC on)
50 h
75 h
Full charge time
120 min
-
Quick charge
-
5 min → 8 h
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
-
No
Controls
touch
buttons
Voice assistant
Yes
ChatGPT
Weight
260 g
310 g
Water resistance
none
IP52
Foldable
Yes
-
Detachable cable
Yes
-
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
4
4
Call noise reduction
-
Yes
Call NR technology
-
AI ENC

What reviewers said

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

Nothing Headphone (a)

The Nothing Headphone (a) is a budget-friendly wireless over-ear option that brings strong core features like adaptive ANC, LDAC support, and excellent battery life for the price. It delivers solid sound quality and everyday usability, though it makes some sacrifices in comfort and premium refinement compared to pricier rivals.

  • Pro:Outstanding battery life of up to 137 hours without ANC
  • Pro:Supports high-res audio codecs like LDAC and LDHC
  • Pro:Adaptive noise cancellation and transparency mode included
  • Con:Slightly heavy at 310 grams, affecting comfort over long sessions
  • Con:Sound detail is not as refined as top competitors
  • Con:No wear detection feature

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparisonJBL Live 780NCNothing Headphone (a)