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Headphones comparison

Sony WH-1000XM4 vs JBL Live 780NC

Compare sound, battery life, fit, controls and connections.

Compared products
01Selected
Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony WH-1000XM4

  • Over-ear design surrounds your ears.
  • 254 g.
  • Uses USB-C for charging.
  • Noise cancellation for listening.
  • Bluetooth 5.0.
KSh 25,000In Stock
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02
JBL Live 780NC

JBL Live 780NC

  • Over-ear design surrounds your ears.
  • 260 g.
  • Uses USB-C for charging.
  • Can stay connected to two devices.
  • Noise cancellation for listening.
KSh 21,500In Stock
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2 spaces available

JBL Quantum 650KSh 28,000
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Razer Barracuda X PUBG BattleGrounds EditionKSh 29,000
Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4KSh 20,800
Sony ULT WEARKSh 24,000
Nothing Headphone 1KSh 29,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

Choose the JBL Live 780NC if you want faster recharging (2 hours), longer battery life (up to 80 hours) and Bluetooth 6.0. Choose the Sony WH-1000XM4 if you prefer Bluetooth + Stereo Mini Jack.

Weight

Sony WH-1000XM4
254 g
JBL Live 780NC
260 g

Connections

Sony WH-1000XM4
Bluetooth connection
JBL Live 780NC
Bluetooth and wired connection

Fit

Sony WH-1000XM4
Cushioned earcups
JBL Live 780NC
Cushioned ear cups

Battery life

Sony WH-1000XM4
30 hours (ANC on), 38 hours (ANC off)
JBL Live 780NC
Up to 80 hours

Two devices

Sony WH-1000XM4
Connects to two devices at once
JBL Live 780NC
Stays connected to two devices

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Sony WH-1000XM4

  • Connection: Bluetooth + Stereo Mini Jack.
  • Active noise cancellation.
  • Connects to two devices at once.
  • LDAC hi-res Bluetooth codec support.

JBL Live 780NC

  • Recharges faster: 2 hours (vs 3 hours).
  • Longer rated battery life: up to 80 hours (vs 30 hours).
  • Newer Bluetooth 6.0 (vs 5.0).
  • Newer model: released in 2025 (vs 2020).
  • Lower price: KSh 21,500 (vs KSh 25,000).
  • Connection: Bluetooth and wired audio.

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PrioritySony WH-1000XM4JBL Live 780NC
FitCushioned earcupsCushioned ear cups
Weight254 g260 g
Battery life30 hours (ANC on), 38 hours (ANC off)Up to 80 hours
ConnectionsBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 6.0
Charging10 minutes provides up to 5 hours of playback5 minutes provides up to 4 hours of playback
SoftwareSony / Sound ConnectWorks with the JBL Headphones app

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4JBL Live 780NC
BrandSonyJBL
ModelWH-1000XM4Live 780NC
Announced20202025
TypeOver-Ear Wireless HeadphonesOver-Ear Wireless Headphones
ColorBlack, Silver—

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4JBL Live 780NC
Weight254g (headphones only)260 g
DimensionsHeadphones: 9.94 x 8.03 x 2.85 inches (252 x 204 x 72 mm); Folded: 7.87 x 6.69 x 2.85 inchesEar cushions: 98.6 × 80 × 23 mm; inner opening 60.4 × 41.5 mm

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4JBL Live 780NC
Battery Life30 hours (ANC on), 38 hours (ANC off); talk time up to 30 hoursUp to 80 hours; up to 50 hours with ANC on; up to 80 hours with ANC off
Charging TimeApprox. 3 Hours (Full charge)2 hours from empty
Fast Charging10 minutes provides up to 5 hours of playback5 minutes provides up to 4 hours of playback
Charging PortUSB-CUSB-C
Wireless ChargingNoNo

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4JBL Live 780NC
ConnectionBluetooth + Stereo Mini JackBluetooth and wired audio via USB-C to 3.5 mm cable
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 6.0
Bluetooth RangeLine of sight approx. 30 ft (10 m)—
Multipoint ConnectionTwo devicesYes
ConnectorGold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plugUSB-C wired audio cable with 3.5 mm source plug
Cable LengthHeadphone cable (approx. 3.94 ft, OFC strands, gold-plated stereo mini plug)1.2 m audio cable
App SupportSony | Sound ConnectJBL Headphones app

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4JBL Live 780NC
Voice AssistantConnected-device voice assistant via touch controls—
SensorsWear detection, touch controls, proximity/acceleration sensors—
Special FeaturesAtmospheric Pressure Optimizing; Personal Nc Optimizer; Passive OperationAmbient Aware | TalkThru | VoiceAware

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4JBL Live 780NC
Drivers1.57 ", dome type (CCAW Voice coil)40 mm dynamic drivers
Frequency Response4 Hz-40,000 Hz10 Hz - 40 kHz
Audio CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC—
Active Noise CancellationYesTrue Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0
Transparency / Ambient ModeAmbient Sound, Quick AttentionAmbient Aware, TalkThru
MicrophonesBuilt-in microphones4 microphones
Audio FeaturesDsee Extreme; Passive Operation; Magnet: NeodymiumJBL Signature Sound, Voice Aware
Impedance—32Ω
Spatial Audio—Spatial Sound

Charging Case

Charging Case specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4JBL Live 780NC
Case TypeNo charging caseNo charging case
Case Battery Life——
Case Charging——
Case Charging Port——
Case Wireless Charging——
Case Dimensions——
Case Weight——
Case Water & Dust Resistance——
Case Features——

Design & Controls

Design & Controls specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4JBL Live 780NC
ControlsQuick AttentionTouch Control
Ear Tips / Ear CushionsCushioned earcupsCushioned ear cups

What's in the Box

What's in the Box specifications comparison
SpecificationSony WH-1000XM4JBL Live 780NC
Headphones / EarbudsWH-1000XM4 headphonesJBL Live 780NC headphones
Charging CaseNo charging caseNo charging case
Charging CableUSB Cable: Type-C TM (approx. 7.87")Charging cable not supplied
Audio CableApprox. 1.2 m headphone cableUSB Type-C to analog 3.5mm cable
Ear Tips / AccessoriesCarrying case; in-flight plug adapterCarrying pouch
DocumentationQuick start and safety documentationWarranty/Warning

Similarities

  • Both charge over USB-C.
  • Both have built-in microphones for calls.
  • Both connect over Bluetooth.
  • Both are 1.2 m long.

In summary

Choose JBL Live 780NC for longer rated battery life and faster recharging.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

Sony ULT WEARFor Sony WH-1000XM4Sony ULT WEARView product ↗Sony ULT Wear (WH-ULT900N)For Sony WH-1000XM4Sony ULT Wear (WH-ULT900N)View product ↗Pulse Elite Wireless HeadsetFor JBL Live 780NCPulse Elite Wireless HeadsetView product ↗

Related comparisons

Sony WH-1000XM4JBL Quantum 650Sony WH-1000XM4SkullCandy Crusher ANC 2Sony WH-1000XM4Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC Wireless HeadphonesSony WH-1000XM4Razer Barracuda X PUBG BattleGrounds EditionSony WH-1000XM4Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo 4Sony WH-1000XM4Sony ULT WEARSony WH-1000XM4Nothing Headphone 1Sony WH-1000XM4Sony ULT Wear (WH-ULT900N)
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