Beats Solo 4 vs JBL Live 770NC
The Verdict
Both headphones deliver solid performance at $199, but they cater to different priorities. Beats Solo 4 emphasizes portability with its lightweight on-ear design (217g) and exceptional 50-hour battery life, plus seamless Apple ecosystem integration through Find My and spatial audio. JBL Live 770NC counters with over-ear comfort, active noise cancellation, and superior multipoint connectivity for switching between two devices simultaneously. Battery life edges toward JBL when ANC is enabled (50 hours) versus Beats' consistent 50 hours. JBL's foldable design and Alexa/Google integration offer practical versatility, while Beats prioritizes minimalist design and lossless wired audio capability. Choose Beats Solo 4 if you value extreme portability and Apple ecosystem synergy; select JBL Live 770NC if ANC, over-ear comfort, and multidevice switching matter more. For most users seeking balanced features at this price, JBL provides stronger value.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Beats Solo 4 if…
- →50-hour battery life is the longest in any Beats product
- →Works equally well with both iOS and Android — no ecosystem lock-in
- →Lossless audio via USB-C is a first for Beats on-ear headphones
Buy the JBL Live 770NC if…
- →Extraordinary 65-hour battery life (ANC off) leaves all rivals behind
- →Bluetooth multipoint for two-device pairing at $199
- →Bluetooth LE Audio and LC3 codec future-proofs the headphones
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Beats Solo 4
Pros
- 50-hour battery life is the longest in any Beats product
- Works equally well with both iOS and Android — no ecosystem lock-in
- Lossless audio via USB-C is a first for Beats on-ear headphones
- Lighter and more comfortable than Solo 3 at 217 g
- Spatial Audio with head tracking for immersive music
Cons
- No active noise cancellation — odd for $199 in 2024
- On-ear design causes pressure fatigue after extended wear
- AAC/SBC only via Bluetooth — no LDAC or aptX
- Sound leans bass-heavy, which won't suit all genres
JBL Live 770NC
Pros
- Extraordinary 65-hour battery life (ANC off) leaves all rivals behind
- Bluetooth multipoint for two-device pairing at $199
- Bluetooth LE Audio and LC3 codec future-proofs the headphones
- Strong bass-forward JBL sound signature for casual listening
- Comfortable foldable design with good padding
Cons
- ANC is decent but not on par with Sony or Bose
- Bass-heavy tuning may not suit balanced or audiophile listeners
- No aptX HD or LDAC for hi-res wireless audio
- Build quality feels plasticky for the price
Full Specifications
| Spec | Beats Solo 4 | JBL Live 770NC |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | on-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 217 g | 268 g |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 50 hrs | 65 hrs (ANC off), 50 hrs (ANC on) |
| Charging | USB-C, 10-min Fast Fuel for 5 hrs | USB-C, 10-min quick charge for 4 hrs playback |
| Drivers | 40 mm transducer with custom acoustic platform | 40 mm |
| Features | Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking, Lossless audio via USB-C or 3.5mm cable, Apple and Android Find My support, One-touch pairing with both iOS and Android, Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range, Up to 50 hours of battery life | Adaptive ANC with Smart Ambient, JBL Spatial Sound, Multipoint Bluetooth for two devices, Bluetooth LE Audio with LC3 codec, Voice assistant built-in (Alexa, Google, Siri), Foldable design for travel |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | LC3, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | None | None |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in headphones, see all Beats products or all JBL products. View full details for the Beats Solo 4 or the JBL Live 770NC.