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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The AKG K712 Pro is better for a premium sound experience, particularly for music and TV due to its open design and very good soundstage. However, it has no microphone and lacks portability. It's best used at home with an amplifier for optimal performance. The JBL Live Beam 3 is a more versatile, portable choice suitable for exercise, travel, and casual use with features like active noise cancelling, a touch display on the case for controls, and a better battery life. While the JBL's sound quality is strong, it may not match the AKG’s soundstage for critical listening. If you need a mic and often use earbuds on the go, the JBL is likely a fit; for dedicated home listening, consider the AKG. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the AKG K712 Pro
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Beam 3
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
5.4
The AKG K712 Pro is good for gaming, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
5.9
The AKG K712 Pro is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
TV and Video
8.4
5.6
The AKG K712 Pro is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The JBL Live Beam 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the AKG K712 Pro is poor.
Battery
N/A
12.0 Hours
The AKG K712 Pro does not have a battery. The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life.
Cost
$659
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The AKG K712 Pro has a price of $659 and the JBL Live Beam 3 costs $216.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
7.8
The JBL Live Beam 3 and AKG K712 Pro are both good for music.
Phone Calls
4.9
5.2
The JBL Live Beam 3 and AKG K712 Pro are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The AKG K712 Pro and JBL Live Beam 3 both have very good build quality.
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How the AKG K712 Pro and the JBL Live Beam 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K712 Pro | JBL Live Beam 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$659 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2013 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.5/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 12 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 36 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 235 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
AKG K712 Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Headfonics
Michael | October 2013
"AKG has created a mini-masterpiece in my opinion. I enjoy this headphone a great deal and it will become my go-to reference headphone for the time being. She is slick, sexy, well-balanced, and crazy comfortable."
Get a great deal on the AKG K712 Pro or the JBL Live Beam 3
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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