Active noise cancellation is built into the JBL Live 460NC Wireless on-ear headphones (ANC). Out of the box, they have a neutral sound profile with a bit more bass and thump, which makes them good for a wide range of music. If you want a different sound, you can use the parametric EQ and presets on their companion app.
They can also connect to up to two devices at once and can run on a single charge for less than 30 hours. But while their ANC does a good job of blocking out background noise, it has a harder time reducing low-frequency sounds like bus or plane engine noise. Some users may also find that wearing them on their ears for long periods of time is uncomfortable.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]The JR 460 NC headphones come in white with grey and orange accents. They have large earpads on the circumaural earcups. The underside of the headband is also well padded, and the fit should be secure and comfortable even for long listening sessions. The 32mm drivers inside the headphones have a frequency range of 20Hz–20kHz and a maximum volume of 85dB. That’s louder than some of the headphones we test with volume limits, but it’s still within the limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Also, you can’t turn off the volume limit, which isn’t always the case with headphones made for kids. The right earcup’s side panel has buttons for power and pairing, ANC (this button is marked with a winking smiley face), and a multifunction button that controls playback, track navigation, and call management.
This button can also call up the voice assistant on your paired device. You can use the included audio cable to listen to music passively, and the USB-C port at the top can be used to charge the speaker. JBL includes a USB-A-to-USB-C charging cable. The hinges on the headphones let them fold down, but you don’t get a pouch or case to carry them in.
Bluetooth pairing can be a pain, but JBL took care of that by putting Bluetooth V5.0 in the Live 460NC. It works easily with phones, tablets, and laptops up to 10 feet away. It also has a feature that lets you connect it to more than one device. You can easily switch between your devices to watch something or answer the phone.
You can listen to music for up to 40 hours without stopping. It comes with a USB-C charging cable and can be fully charged in about an hour and a half. It says you can play for four (4) hours after only ten (10) minutes of charging, so you can do it quickly before going out.