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What we think
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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a very immersive listening experience and often listen at home, particularly for music and TV, the AKG K712 Pro headphones with their open design and excellent soundstage would be suitable; however, they lack wireless capability, active noise cancellation, and are not ideal for exercise or travel. On the other hand, JBL Live Buds 3 are versatile wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling, which makes them great for travel, exercise, and busy environments, though they may not match the AKG in soundstage for critical listening. The JBLs also have a unique Smart Charging Case with LED touch display for controls, adding convenience. 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 Buds 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 Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
5.9
The AKG K712 Pro is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 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 Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the AKG K712 Pro is poor.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The AKG K712 Pro does not have a battery. The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 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 Buds 3 costs $216.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
7.8
The JBL Live Buds 3 and AKG K712 Pro are both good for music.
Phone Calls
4.9
5.2
The JBL Live Buds 3 and AKG K712 Pro are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The AKG K712 Pro and JBL Live Buds 3 both have very good build quality.
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How the AKG K712 Pro and the JBL Live Buds 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K712 Pro | JBL Live Buds 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 | 10 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 | 30 | |
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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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 Buds 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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