70

AirPods 4 Earbuds

Open-fit TWS · 5h/30h · H2 chip · BT 5.3

$130

MSRP

74

Live 770NC Headphones

Over-ear · ANC · 65h · AAC · BT 5.3

$150

MSRP

Our verdict

The Live 770NC Headphones takes the performance lead with a 6% higher overall score, driven by its more shader cores, more of memory, and higher TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 0% more frames per second across demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2.

However, the Live 770NC Headphones tells a compelling value story. At $150 versus the AirPods 4 Earbuds's $130 price tag, it costs $20 less while delivering performance that's only 6% behind. Its of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.

Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the Live 770NC Headphones is the smarter purchase. The AirPods 4 Earbuds only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.

Performance winner

Live 770NC Headphones

6% faster overall

Best value for money

Live 770NC Headphones

2% better value per dollar

AirPods 4 Earbuds best for

Value for money

2% better value per dollar

Audio

Driver Size
11mm
40mm
Frequency Response
20Hz - 20kHz
20Hz - 20kHz
Form Factor
Open-fit TWS
Over-ear

Battery

Battery Life (ANC On)
5h
65h
Total with Case
30h
N/A
Fast Charge
5min → 1h
5min → 4h

Comfort

Weight
4.3g
252g
IP Rating
IP54
None
Wireless Charging
Yes (MagSafe + Qi)
No

Connectivity

Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
AAC
AAC, SBC
Multipoint
No
Yes (2 devices)

Noise Cancellation

Active Noise Cancellation
No
Yes (Adaptive)
Transparency Mode
No
Yes

Frequently asked questions

Is the Live 770NC Headphones worth $20 more than the AirPods 4 Earbuds?

It depends on your needs. The Live 770NC Headphones scores 74 overall vs 70 for the AirPods 4 Earbuds. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the AirPods 4 Earbuds offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the AirPods 4 Earbuds or Live 770NC Headphones?

The Live 770NC Headphones delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The Live 770NC Headphones provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the AirPods 4 Earbuds still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the AirPods 4 Earbuds handle 4K gaming?

The AirPods 4 Earbuds can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the Live 770NC Headphones is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the AirPods 4 Earbuds or Live 770NC Headphones?

Choose the AirPods 4 Earbuds if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the Live 770NC Headphones if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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