JBL Live 400BT Review

Detailed sound quality, wide bass design, long battery life and comfortable on-ear padding. Those are the best traits of the [amazon link=”B07N9C2PVK” title=” JBL Live 400BT” link_icon=”none” /] – one of the premium wireless headphones from the brand. It falls under the mid-range category of headphones and can be easily used by casuals and headphone enthusiasts alike. But, is the JBL Live 400BT worth the money? Let’s check out the details below.

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Features 

After researching quite a while on the 400BT, there does not seem anything new about it. However, its price tag is enough to entice anyone who wants a mid-range headphones with decent quality features. After all, not every headphone in its price have wireless capabilities and padded noise cancelling.

The feature of the 400BT is the battery life. Since it targets a particular demographic of people who love outdoor activities, the 400BT lasts up to 30 hours of battery life. For a price this low, it can compete against a high-end rival like the Sony WH-H1000XM3 which also has a battery life of 30 to 48 hours.

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Another good feature in this pair of headphones is the inclusion of Assistant. You may choose between Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa and it works as long as you speak clearly into the microphone. With just one touch on the control panel, you can activate her to let her do what you ask for. She can also read your messages out loud and even write down your message via its built-in microphone.

The headphones is also foldable and convenient to pack up and place in your bag, but it would have been better if they added a dedicated pouch for it (then again it is cheaper than its intended rivals). Another upside of the 400BT is its allowance to rotate the earcups for easier charging and placement around your neck.

What it does not have is a dedicated active noise cancelling mode. Then again, it is an affordable type of headphones, but there is some noise cancelling to an extent here. It comes within its breathable earpads; the cushioning is thick enough to supress outside noises but do expect sound leakage within.

Design 

The JBL Live 400BT has a nice detailed finish that looks quite casual; a design catered to a young audience. It comes with various options of different colors but most of them are dark. It is fashionable enough to sport and complement any outfit whether it’s a regular casual wear or something a bit formal or even for fitness.

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Speaking of fitness, the JBL Live 400BT is splashproof – meaning you should be able to workout with the headphones on you. Just keep in mind that it is not viable in every workout session since it does not have a tight grip like in-ear headphones. It is mostly good for light exercises such as jogging, ghost sparring, skipping rope or lifting. High-intensity workouts like suicides, pull-ups and kickboxing are a no go. It’s quite odd that they market it as exercise headphones yet it can only do so much for a select number of exercises.

Comfort 

One of the greatest strengths of the 400BT comes with its ergonomics. It is foldable, it is soft enough and it is flexible. The padding comfort is just right as the cups do not squeeze and surround your ears too much, the fabric is breathable by design and warmth within the cup tends to ventilate out.

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The headband itself is decently firm for it to press over you. The headphones don’t clamp at all, so you should be able to wear this for hours without irritation.

Sound Quality 

The bass and treble are fairly good but it may vary per person. Some may say the bass is too heavy or the treble is light and vice versa. We say it is well-balanced. It is als sub-par when it comes to its response frequency but is mostly consistent. Overall, sound quality is good but no beyond impressive.

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The best quality here is the wide variety of sound options to choose from. You may either use the presets or make one yourself.

Noise Cancelling 

It does not have any active noise cancelling at all, but the cups themselves offer muffled padding to minimize outside sounds. It does its job well but don’t expect it to do something grand like an ANC.

Battery Life 

Another good perk here is the battery life. You would barely find any headphone within its range that offers 30 hours. Its charging time is very quick too, making it convenient to pick up and use any day.

Overall 

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It may not be the best in a particular category but the JBL Live 400BT is definitely a convenient all-around pair of headphones anytime. With its long battery life and comfortable design, expect it to last long for outdoor usage.

MaxWalker
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