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Updated 7/21/17 with a correction to the "in-flight adapter."
Yeah, I know. The sugar from the box of Friday donuts and the morning cup of coffee (or two) is wearing off and you're starting to think that the end of the day is a long ways off. If you need a little something extra to shut out the world and power through, JBL has a new pair of Everest Elite headphones to help you out.
The Everest Elite 750NC are this year's model of JBL's top-end Bluetooth, noise-cancelling headphones. Not a lot has changed internally since I reviewed them last year; but depending on how you use your headphones, you might want to consider upgrading.
Externally, the 750NC headphones are brand new. There are attractive Steel Blue and Silver metallic finishes, replacing the 700's Black and White options (the "Platinum" version is now a slightly darker "Gun Metal"). The ear cup hinge is upgraded as well, allowing it to rotate so that the headphones fold flat. Though any space saving provided by the fold-flat feature is offset if you choose to use the new included hard case for transport. While it might be bulkier, it's a definite upgrade, providing better protection than the 700's soft case as well as a smaller zip case for all your cables. Speaking of, you get a nice selection, including a very welcome in-flight audio adapter. I do miss the separate toggles switches on each ear, the buttons having been consolidated on the right ear cup; but then I have a weird thing about symmetry.
Where the 750NC really shines is comfort. Even more so than the Elite 700, the 750NC is made for extended listening sessions. It's 28 grams lighter than its predecessor, the headband fits securely on your head without being too tight, and the ear cups are snug without squeezing. The pads are made from memory foam, providing a comfortable seal. Whereas with the 700s I would take them off and my ears would be hot and the lack of pressure instantly noticeable, the effect with the Elite 750NC is much less pronounced. I could see keeping these on all day long.
And the battery is made for all-day wear. With JBL's excellent ambient aware and noise cancellation on, you can expect around 15 hours of listening time, same as the 700s. You can get 20 with noise cancelling off, an hour up from the previous model - a nice trick for lighter headphones. You can charge them back up to full in "just" 3 hours...which doesn't seem fast to me, but JBL is saying it is fast so...insert shrug here.
The ambient aware in this model is a little more hissy; but I find myself using it more. That's because the noise cancellation is so good on the 750NC that I start to feel claustrophobic after a bit. Even going full out on my Razer Chroma mechanical keyboard, I can hear the faintest strings of a symphony. Plus, that ambient aware is vital for those times when you're typing away and people sidle up next to you (just because I'm at a standing desk doesn't mean I don't have personal space, Bob!). I'm looking forward to taking these on the plane to Philly later this month and drowning out the din.
The Everest Elite 750NC is also compatible with the My JBL Headphones app, allowing for equalizer customization, TruNote calibration, button assignments, and over-the-air firmware updates (so if JBL makes improvements to that hissy ambient aware, you can upgrade your headphones). They currently carry the same price tag as their predecessor, $299 on the JBL website. Between the improved ergonomics and better accessories, you're getting more for your money with this year's model. If you're in the market for something to help you survive till the whistle blows on the work week, check out the 750NC .
