Our Verdict
Above-average for mixed-usage. The JBL Everest Elite 700 have a great set of active features and a sleek yet solid build quality that's great for everyday use. They isolate well enough for noisy environments and they have an above average sound quality that will satisfy most listeners. They won't be the ideal headphones for critical listening or sports but overall they perform well enough for most use cases.
- Sleek and sturdy wireless design.
- High isolation and Low leakage.
- Great active features.
- A bit tight on the head.
- Bulky build quality.
Better than average for neutral listening. The JBL Everest are tuned to sound as close to the Harman curve. This gives them a great bass that's not overwhelming and a well-balanced mid-range that caters well to instruments and vocals. However, their treble range is not as good and makes the headphones sound a bit sibilant with some tracks. They don't output at high enough volumes which may be an issue for some older or quieter music. Their soundstage is also subpar, but due to their closed-back, noise canceling design, it's to be expected.
Above-average for commuting. They isolate enough for public transit, and they have a decently durable build quality with easy to use controls. However, they're still a bit bulky so they won't be the easiest headphones to carry on you at all times.
Decent for sports. The JBL Everest Elite 700 are tight enough to stay on your head when jogging and their wireless design makes them less likely to fall because the audio cable got hooked on something. However, they're still a bit bulky for intense exercises and they get fairly warm during physical activity which is not ideal.
Above-average for office use. They do not leak too much and they block enough ambient noise for lively offices. They also have a good set of features that make them practical to use while at your desk.
Mediocre-at-best for gaming. The JBL Everest Elite 700 have a bit too much latency and a mediocre microphone. Also, they're not the most comfortable headphones to use for long gaming sessions but at least, they come with an audio cable so that you can use them with your console controller. However, if you get the iOS variant, the in-line microphone will only work with PS4.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Sep 28, 2017: The microphone has been tested with our new methodology, as explained here
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The JBL Everest Elite 700 are good mixed usage headphones. They're versatile enough for most environments, thanks to their strong noise cancellation and the great customization options available through the app. This makes them good for commuting and traveling. Thanks to their low leakage, they're also a good option for the office. Unfortunately, they're a bit tight on the head and a little bulky. They also do not have quite an as balanced sound as the AKG N700NC which is a similarly designed headset under the Harman umbrella however the Everest do isolate better in noisy conditions. See our recommendations for the best travel headphones, the best noise cancelling headphones and the best wireless headphones.
The Bose QuietComfort 35/QC35 Wireless 2016 are better noise cancelling headphones than the JBL Everest Elite 700 Wireless. The Bose are better more comfortable over-ear fit and isolate a lot more in noisy conditions than the JBL. They also have a longer battery life and a better default sound that works with most genres but that you can't EQ like the JBL. This makes the JBL a bit more customizable than the Bose. They also have a slightly better latency performance and wireless range, but their tight fit may not be for everyone.
The Sony MDR-1000X have a similar performance to the JBL Everest Elite 700 overall. The Sony are not as tight on the head as the JBL, which makes them a bit more comfortable to wear for longer listening sessions. They also have a longer battery life, more customization options, and they support more codec options than the Everest Elite 700. On the other hand, the JBL have a unique noise cancelling feature since you can control the amount of cancellation in each ear cup. They also have a slightly better wireless range and lower latency, although both headphones will not be ideal for watching a lot of movies.
The JBL Everest Elite 700 Wireless are not directly comparable to the Beats Solo3 2018 since they are over-ear and noise cancelling when the Beats are on-ears and isolate passively. This means if you prefer a pair of headphones for noisy environments, then go for the JBL. They block and cancel more noise on your commute. They also have a lot more features than the Beats since they have an app that gives them access to an EQ and noise cancelling settings. The JBL also have a better more durable build quality and a sturdier design overall. On the other hand, the Beats are a lot more portable and deliver a much longer battery life that you won't have to charge for a couple of days. They also charge a lot faster, have a greater wireless range, and have a slightly lower latency on iOS devices.
The JBL Everest Elite 700 Wireless are a better, more customizable headphone overall when compared to the JBL E55BT Wireless. The Everest Elite 700 support the JBL Headphones app, and the E55BT don't. This gives them access to an EQ and more customization options, including noise cancelling settings for each ear cup. Also, since the Everest are noise cancelling headphones, they do much better in noisy conditions. They also have a better build quality and a more durable design overall. The JBL E55BT are more compact and slightly more comfortable, thanks to their lightweight build and the better fit that does not clamp your head as much.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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