Home Headphones Creative Zen Hybrid 2 Vs. Jbl Live 660Nc

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 Vs. Jbl Live 660Nc Review

Last updated on Apr 7, 2024   9 minute read
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JBL Live 660NC

JBL Live 660NC

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Reasons why you might like the JBL Live 660NC

Overall Score 5.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Weight of 265 g
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Anc)
  • Battery Life of 50 hours
  • Can Be Used Wirelessly
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode
VS
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Creative Zen Hybrid 2

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Reasons why you might like the Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Overall Score 5.1 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Weight of 287 g
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Anc)
  • Battery Life of 67 hours
  • Can Be Used Wirelessly
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 Vs. Jbl Live 660Nc Review In Summary

Category Features JBL Live 660NC Creative Zen Hybrid 2
DESIGN weight 265g 287g
has a detachable cable
can be folded
has a tangle free cable
cable length 1.2meters
has an over-the-ear foam
has stereo speakers
SOUND QUALITY has active noise cancellation (anc)
has passive noise reduction
lowest frequency 16Hz 20Hz
highest frequency 20,000Hz 20,000Hz
sound pressure level 97dB/mW
driver unit size 40mm 40mm
impedance 32Ohms
has a neodymium magnet
POWER battery life 50hours 67hours
charge time 2hours
has a battery level indicator
battery power 600mAh
has a rechargeable battery
CONNECTIVITY can be used wirelessly
uses 2.4ghz wireless
bluetooth version v5 v5.2
has usb type-c
has aac
maximum bluetooth range 10meters 10meters
has a 3.5mm male connector
MICROPHONE number of microphones 5only
has a noise-canceling microphone
EXTRAS has ambient sound mode
has a mute function
multipoint count 2only 2only
control panel placed on a device
can be used as a headset
warranty period 1years
travel bag is included
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Creative Zen Hybrid 2 Vs. Jbl Live 660Nc Review In Detail

Design

Weight

JBL Live 660NC 265g
Creative Zen Hybrid 2 287g

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 have a weight of 287g, these weigh below 320g, which we consider as the highest average a headphone should weigh for comfort during long use. We take in account a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.

The JBL Live 660NC, at 265g weigh less than the Creative Zen Hybrid 2 by -22g

Has A Detachable Cable

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Detachable cables are cables that have connectors on both ends. One end goes into your headphone earpieces, while the other end is inserted into an audio source. Some new headphones, and not just the expensive ones, are coming with detachable cables, JBL Live 660NC are one of those.

Can Be Folded

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 are foldable, which makes them more portable. Foldable headphones are easier to transport and take up less storage space.

The JBL Live 660NC too can fold up, foldable headphones can reduce their size by 60% to 70% when folded.

Has A Tangle Free Cable

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Twisted headphone cables can be a great source of annoyance and inconvenience, JBL Live 660NC's cable is designed to minimize tangling. Constant twisting of the cables can also lead to bends in the copper wires, affecting sound quality, or completely damaging your headphones.

Cable Length

JBL Live 660NC 1.2meters
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

A long cable ensures more freedom of movement, but remember that every cable based on the conducting material used has a certain amount of parasitic resistance, inductance, and capacitance. How much depends on the length and construction. JBL Live 660NC comes with a 1.2meters cable.

Has An Over-The-Ear Foam

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Over-ear headphones have larger earpads that fit around your entire ear Creative Zen Hybrid 2 have a comfortable full-size form with earcups that fully enclose your ears. This design is loved for its increased sound isolation and the fact that it won't leak sound to your neighbors.

JBL Live 660NC with this design offer potential for maximum bass and loudness levels.

Has Stereo Speakers

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

The JBL Live 660NC also have stereo speakers

JBL Live 660NC
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Anc)

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Active noise cancellation uses more advanced technology to actively counter noise. How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 outside (noise from your surrounding) and adding -1 inside (counter sound within the device) to make 0 resulting in a reduced level of noise.

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 allow you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the volume to overcome background noise.

JBL Live 660NC too have active noise cancellation making both devices ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. Each may work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting, mode, or noise cancellation type that suits your commute or that enhances your relaxation time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Passive Noise Cancellation uses well-designed ear cups to seal out unwanted noise. This is used for both in-ear earphones and over-ear headphones where the headphone itself will keep surrounding noise out. The Creative Zen Hybrid 2 sits tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that reduces background noise and prevents your music from leaking out.

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that also the JBL Live 660NC isolates you from ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

Lowest Frequency

JBL Live 660NC 16Hz
Creative Zen Hybrid 2 20Hz

Low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device reproduces low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on the way through. Creative Zen Hybrid 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, the lower the low-frequency response, the stronger and juicier the bass.

JBL Live 660NC's lowest frequency is at 16Hz, this implies that Creative Zen Hybrid 2 got a juicier bass than the JBL Live 660NC

Highest Frequency

JBL Live 660NC 20,000Hz
Creative Zen Hybrid 2 20,000Hz

High frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device reproduces high audible frequencies and if it changes to the signal while at it. Creative Zen Hybrid 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, the higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble.

JBL Live 660NC's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that both devices produce equal treble

Sound Pressure Level

JBL Live 660NC 97dB/mW
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Sound pressure is the average variation in atmospheric pressure caused by the sound, the sound level .i.e how loud something is can be perceived differently by different people so we need to have a way of getting an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.

The sound pressure level, SPL, is the pressure level of a sound, measured in decibels, dB, JBL Live 660NC's measurement is 97dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.

Driver Unit Size

JBL Live 660NC 40mm
Creative Zen Hybrid 2 40mm

The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, its size dictates the loudness of the headphone. Creative Zen Hybrid 2 driver unit is 40mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful and can produce better bass.

JBL Live 660NC driver unit is 40mm in diameter, making both devices similar in how loud their sound gets , as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.

However, large drivers usually have difficulty reproducing high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better sound.

Impedance

JBL Live 660NC 32Ohms
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Impedance is the device's resistance to the electromagnetic current, as electricity flows through a wire, it faces electrical resistance that counters the flow of current. The resistance of a conductor is measured in ohms. JBL Live 660NC's impedance is 32Ohms, the lower the impedance, the easier it is to get higher volume and requires less power.

Has A Neodymium Magnet

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Neodymium magnets if used in audio devices produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output while using less power. They can help produce music at quite a high sound pressure level, SPL, with the use of high magnetic flux. The Creative Zen Hybrid 2 have this type of magnet.

Power

Battery Life

JBL Live 660NC 50hours
Creative Zen Hybrid 2 67hours

If your headphones play wirelessly, cancel ambient noise, or enhance your listening experience with active features, their battery life will reduce over time. The device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. Creative Zen Hybrid 2's battery life is 67 hours

JBL Live 660NC's battery life is 50 hours. Each time you recharge your headphones, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first. But over a few years, you may find that your device, no longer plays for long like it used to.

Charge Time

JBL Live 660NC 2hours
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

It takes 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Live 660NC's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the headphones for the first time or when they have been unused for extended periods.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your headphones.

JBL Live 660NC too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to determine the charging state of your headphones, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low.

Battery Power

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2 600mAh

Battery power, or battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store. Creative Zen Hybrid 2's battery power is 600mAh, more battery power can be an indication of longer battery life.

Has A Rechargeable Battery

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

A rechargeable battery is a type of electrical battery that can be charged, discharged into a load, and recharged many times, as opposed to a disposable or primary battery, which is supplied fully charged and discarded after use. Creative Zen Hybrid 2's battery can be recharged and used over again.

The JBL Live 660NC too have a rechargeable battery.

JBL Live 660NC
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Connectivity

Can Be Used Wirelessly

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 can be used wirelessly, wireless devices allow you more freedom of movement.

The JBL Live 660NC also can be used wirelessly

Uses 2.4Ghz Wireless

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

2.4GHz wireless is used for devices such as headsets such as the Creative Zen Hybrid 2, keyboards, and mice similar to Bluetooth but with a proprietary radio frequency. It typically offers better performance than Bluetooth, with low latency and good stability.

Bluetooth Version

JBL Live 660NC v5
Creative Zen Hybrid 2 v5.2

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Creative Zen Hybrid 2 has a v5.2

JBL Live 660NC has a Bluetooth version of v5. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Has Usb Type-C

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power on a single cable. The USB-C plug is now part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets, it features reversible plug orientation and cable direction.

JBL Live 660NC too have USB TYPE-C

Has Aac

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.

The JBL Live 660NC support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

JBL Live 660NC 10meters
Creative Zen Hybrid 2 10meters

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances. The Creative Zen Hybrid 2 can connect at a 10meters distance via Bluetooth or infrared to another device.

The JBL Live 660NC can connect at a 10meters distance via Bluetooth

Has A 3.5Mm Male Connector

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Being an industry standard audio plug, a standard 3.5mm male connector is suitable for use with all MP3 players and computer sound cards. This means that it is commonly used in stereo headphones to your phone or connecting your phone to an external amplifier, sound bars, your car radio, etc. Creative Zen Hybrid 2 has this connector giving it a wider range of connectivity with most of the sound devices out there. All plugs have at least a tip and sleeve with the number of rings that stand as a differentiating factor.

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2 5only

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 have only 5 microphones, more microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out background noise from the desired sound. Especially useful in noisy environments.

The JBL Live 660NC too use a noise-canceling type of microphone.

JBL Live 660NC
See price on Amazon

Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises so that they can still be heard. It’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a jog but would still want to be able to hear traffic.

The JBL Live 660NC support ambient sound mode as well allowing you to hear the ambient sound even while wearing them.

Has A Mute Function

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

JBL Live 660NC have a mute function, they have an option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice.

Multipoint Count

JBL Live 660NC 2only
Creative Zen Hybrid 2 2only

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 support multipoint, which allows you to link to more Bluetooth devices and switch between them. For example, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.

The JBL Live 660NC support multipoint count. Bluetooth multipoint would come in handy because you can be on one call without missing notifications coming from another device.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

There is a control panel on the Creative Zen Hybrid 2 body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to.

The JBL Live 660NC too have a control panel on them.

Can Be Used As A Headset

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Creative Zen Hybrid 2 can be used as a headset. A headset is one headphone or pair with a built-in microphone. Headsets can be used for apps that require communication i.e. Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, games with voice chat, mobile phones, etc.

JBL Live 660NC can be used as a headset. since they have a built-in microphone

Warranty Period

JBL Live 660NC 1years
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

The period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals. When covered under the manufacturer’s warranty it is possible to get a replacement in the case of a malfunction. JBL Live 660NC have a warranty period of 1 years

Travel Bag Is Included

JBL Live 660NC
Creative Zen Hybrid 2

Carrying headphones without a case, or putting them in bags without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. The JBL Live 660NC come with their own special case or pouch, which is useful for safe transportation.