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1 / 7The JBL Live 660NC is a straightforward pair of ANC headphones. It's not terribly exciting, but it's plenty reliable.
At 7.6, its noise cancelling beats 25% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 64 of the 243 we've cataloged.
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above average for over-ear headphones — based on 160 of 243 we've cataloged.
5.0 is the most common — on 27% of the 153 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 243).
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 201 of 243 we've cataloged.
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
JBL Live 660NC Frequency Response (measured on a B&K 5128)
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Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 13.0 |
| 25 | 11.8 |
| 32 | 10.0 |
| 40 | 8.2 |
| 50 | 7.3 |
| 63 | 6.2 |
| 80 | 4.6 |
| 100 | 2.8 |
| 125 | 0.4 |
| 160 | -3.9 |
| 200 | -3.3 |
| 250 | -1.5 |
| 315 | -1.0 |
| 400 | -0.7 |
| 500 | -0.4 |
| 630 | -0.7 |
| 800 | -0.1 |
| 1000 | 0.6 |
| 1250 | -0.3 |
| 1600 | 2.0 |
| 2000 | 3.5 |
| 2500 | 5.3 |
| 3150 | 7.0 |
| 4000 | 8.2 |
| 5000 | 3.6 |
| 6300 | 11.6 |
| 8000 | 6.6 |
| 10000 | -1.1 |
| 12500 | -3.6 |
| 16000 | -8.9 |
| 20000 | -20.5 |
JBL Live 660NC Attenuation (measured on a B&K 5128)
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Solid lines: passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Dashed lines: total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -0.2 |
| 26 | 0.7 |
| 33 | 1.0 |
| 41 | 0.6 |
| 52 | 0.8 |
| 65 | 0.8 |
| 82 | -0.7 |
| 103 | 1.0 |
| 130 | -2.7 |
| 163 | 1.7 |
| 205 | 0.9 |
| 259 | 4.5 |
| 325 | 8.9 |
| 410 | 10.2 |
| 516 | 11.8 |
| 613 | 14.4 |
| 772 | 15.0 |
| 972 | 19.3 |
| 1220 | 22.5 |
| 1540 | 24.3 |
| 1940 | 27.4 |
| 2440 | 37.0 |
| 3070 | 39.8 |
| 3870 | 30.1 |
| 4870 | 30.3 |
| 6130 | 34.1 |
| 7720 | 40.0 |
| 9720 | 31.9 |
| 12200 | 24.3 |
| 15400 | 31.6 |
| 19400 | 37.4 |
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -1.5 |
| 26 | 5.4 |
| 33 | 8.6 |
| 41 | 13.3 |
| 52 | 16.3 |
| 65 | 16.9 |
| 82 | 16.9 |
| 103 | 22.4 |
| 130 | 11.9 |
| 163 | 15.1 |
| 205 | 17.5 |
| 259 | 23.0 |
| 325 | 29.5 |
| 410 | 30.1 |
| 516 | 22.6 |
| 613 | 21.4 |
| 772 | 20.1 |
| 972 | 27.0 |
| 1220 | 27.0 |
| 1540 | 23.6 |
| 1940 | 28.4 |
| 2440 | 41.2 |
| 3070 | 44.0 |
| 3870 | 29.8 |
| 4870 | 28.9 |
| 6130 | 36.3 |
| 7720 | 38.3 |
| 9720 | 33.6 |
| 12200 | 24.6 |
| 15400 | 35.0 |
| 19400 | 43.4 |
The verdict
The JBL Live 660NC is a reliable, if a little lacklustre pair of noise canceling headphones. There's not a lot flash here, but the fundamentals are mostly handled well. Just don't expect the microphone to be your next remote-work lifeline.
✓Liked: Lightweight, Decent ANC, Easy app, Battery life
✕Could be better: Bass response, Microphone, Narrow ear cups
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What readers ask about the JBL Live 660NC, answered by the people who own it.
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3 of 6 would buy again
6 owners · owners report ~40 h per charge vs 40 h claimed
Expected more from the fit and build
Comfort beat their expectations
Expected more from the fit and build
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Nothing surprising about comfort
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner · 1 photo-verified
Expected more from comfort
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Comfort beat their expectations
0 of 2 would buy again
2 owners · 2 photo-verified
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
The battery beat their expectations
