The JBL Live 460NC Wireless are on-ear headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC). The headphones have a neutral sound profile suitable for a variety of audio content. If you prefer a different sound, parametric EQ and presets are available in the companion app. It also supports multi-device pairing with up to two devices simultaneously and has a continuous battery life of up to 30 hours. However, while ANC is good for blocking out background noise, it struggles to cut low frequency sounds such as bus and aircraft engine noise. The on-ear design may also make some users uncomfortable for long periods of listening.
The JBL Live 460NC are decent for commuting and travelling. They are well built, have a long-life continuous battery life of less than 30 hours and have a breathable fit. However, they are a bit bulky, so it can be difficult to take them on the go, and their ANC struggles to cut through low frequency noise like the sound of bus and plane engines. It also struggles to cut low frequency noises like the sound of bus or plane engines. Although comfortable, some users may find it cramped and fatiguing.
Inside, all other items in the Live 460NC are neatly and tidily packed; JBL has ensured that everything is securely packed to avoid accidental damage in transit. In addition to the Live Pro+ TWS, other items in the package include. Audio cable, Type-C charging cable, warranty/warning card and QSG/safety sheet. The headphones have a nondescript style, similar to the Live 660NC Wireless. They consist of a mesh fabric headband and plastic earcups, and are emblazoned with the brand’s logo.
It has volume up/down controls and can skip forward and backward through songs. These can be performed by pressing and holding the buttons. The central button plays and pauses audio, and answers and ends calls. If you want to reject a call, simply press and hold this button. Touching the JBL logo on the left ear cup or the centre button for two seconds activates the voice assistant. Additionally, you can switch ANC or Ambient Aware on and off by clicking the ANC button. For Talk, though, you can press this button twice to chat without having to remove the headphones you are wearing.
Adaptive Noise Cancelling is another great feature that minimises external noise. However, bear in mind that not everything can be muted completely – with ANC turned on, incoming sound is muffled and low-pitched. Also, small earpads do not seal as well as larger headphones or earphones. Once you start playing some tunes, they definitely mask outside noise anyway, and the good thing is that turning ANC on and off does not affect the sound quality. Comprehensive button layout controls power, volume, play/pause, BT pairing and Ambient Aware; the JBL Headphones App lets you personalise the way you listen.