A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The AKG K361 headphones provide a higher overall sound quality and are particularly good for critical listening with a better soundstage. These wired over-ear headphones are more suited for use where portability is not a priority, like at home or in a studio. However, they are not ideal for exercise or travel due to their size and lack of active noise cancelling. On the other hand, the JBL Live Free NC+ earbuds are wireless, much more portable, and feature active noise cancelling, making them better for use on the go, during exercise, or while traveling. The JBL earbuds also support AAC codec and offer better call quality, built-in controls, and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. If you need versatility and mobility along with good noise isolation, the JBL might be the better choice, despite a slightly lower overall sound quality compared to the AKG. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the AKG K361
- Good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.5
5.8
The AKG K361 is good for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
6.3
5.0
The AKG K361 is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
3.2
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the AKG K361 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the AKG K361 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.6
The AKG K361 is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
7.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the AKG K361 is only fair.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The AKG K361 does not have a battery. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$98
$60
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The AKG K361 has a price of $98 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The AKG K361 and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the AKG K361 and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$98 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 219 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
AKG K361
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Medium
Alex Rowe | November 2019
"The K361 retains much of what makes the K371 such a winner, though it has a leaner sound, and the build changes made to trim the price down are immediately apparent. Still, it’s another excellent offering from AKG, and other companies in this fight should either be very worried or quickly designing updates to their old models."
JBL Live Free NC+
See more
Dig into reviews and images
HeadphoneCheck
Maike Paeßens | 2020
"JBL has added great-sounding, rock-solid all-rounders with a pleasant, warm sound character to their range. They are equipped with a high level of functionality that can be customised via the app. Some compromises have to be made with the active noise cancellation, which has a discreet effect, while the ambient mode and the Talkthru function proved to be powerful despite a perceptible background noise."
Get a great deal on the AKG K361 or the JBL Live Free NC+
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
78,200
Recommendations made
11,730
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
Featured in
