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JBL leans into tech as fashion with new SXSX headphone launches

JBL leans into tech as fashion with new SXSX headphone launches

JBL announced two new pairs of Live noise-cancelling headphones at SXSW 2026, with a stylish design and five color options.

orange jbl live headphones on a roman statue bust New from JBL: JBL Live 780NC Wireless Headphones $249.95 at JBL JBL Live 780NC Wireless Headphones Shop Now JBL 680NC Wireless On-Ear Headphones $159.95 at JBL JBL 680NC Wireless On-Ear Headphones Get Deal JBL Soundgear Clips Open-Ear Headphones $149.95 JBL Soundgear Clips Shop Now

Bold colors. Transparent casing. A splashy event at SXSW. JBL is working hard to give stylish music lovers something to get excited about this year.

And at a music event at SXSW 2026 over the weekend, the audio brand announced two new pairs of noise-cancelling headphones: The JBL Live 780NC Over-Ear Headphones and the Live 680NC On-Ear Headphones.

The brand definitely seems to be leaning into wearing your tech as a fashion statement, and the new Live 780NC and 680NC headphones feature stylish color options.

man wearing green jbl headphones Credit: JBL

The release follows the launch of the brand's new party speaker, the JBL PartyBox On-the-Go 2 Plus. In addition, the JBL open-ear earbuds previously announced at CES 2026 are now available for sale.

We've got all the details on the new products, plus a first look from our colleagues at CNET.

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Introducing two new JBL Live headphones

The headphones made their official debut at JBL's SXSW activation, the JBL Livebrary, which featured live performances from Steve Aoki and others. Like Apple's AirPods Pro Max, the headphones feature cool color options.

JBL Live 780NC over-ear headphones in blue and green Credit: JBL JBL Live 780NC over-ear headphones in black and champagne Credit: JBL

The headphones come in black, green, blue, champagne, and white, giving shoppers more color options than usual. (Unfortunately, not all colors are available at launch.)

The JBL Live 780NC over-ear headphones have premium specs, including 80 hours of battery life (50 hours without ANC). They're priced at $249.95 and are available for order at JBL's online store now.

  • Active noise-cancellation supported by 6 microphones

  • 40mm dynamic driver with compound diaphragm 

  • JBL Spatial Sound 3.0

  • LDAC support for high-resolution wireless audio on compatible devices

  • 80 hours battery life (50 hours without ANC)

  • Quick charge provides 4 hours with 5 minutes of Speed Charge

  • 2 beamforming mics with an enhanced AI-trained noise-cancellation algorithm for phone calls

JBL Live 780NC Wireless Headphones JBL Live 780NC Wireless Headphones $249.95 at JBL
  See It at JBL See It at Amazon

The JBL 680NC on-ear headphones are more affordable at $159.95, but they have most of the same features and come in the same colors. Instead of the six microphones for ANC, they only feature four. In addition, they lack some premium EQ settings. Otherwise, the specs are very similar.

JBL 680NC Wireless On-Ear Headphones JBL 680NC Wireless On-Ear Headphones $159.95 at JBL
  See It at JBL See It at Amazon

In addition, JBL announced the launch of a new party speaker and some karaoke accessories, which you can read about on the JBL and Harmon websites (JBL is owned by Harman).

Finally, the open-ear line announced at CES 2026 are now available for sale.

We're also very happy to report that although the initial pictures of the transparent JBL Soundgear Clips didn't look all that great, they do look much cooler in person. You can order them at the JBL website or via Amazon for $149.95.

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If you purchase any of the new products through Amazon, you'll get 90 days of Amazon Music for free.

JBL Soundgear Clips Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Soundgear Clips Open Earbuds $149.95 at Amazon
  Shop Now