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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize high-quality sound for music and an immersive soundstage, the Audeze LCD 2 Classic's exceptional audio performance is likely the better choice, especially if you can pair them with a dedicated amplifier for the best experience; however, they are not suitable for calls, gaming, or exercise. The JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds, on the other hand, offer very good portability and are geared towards those looking for wireless convenience, active usage, and features like active noise cancelling and LED touch display on the charging case. They are also optimized for both Android and Apple devices, and have a feature set that includes sweatproof and dustproof certifications, making them more versatile for everyday activities and travel, but they won't match the audio fidelity or soundstage of the Audeze. 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 Audeze LCD 2 Classic
Excellent for music
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
Music
9.2/10
7.8/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is excellent for music, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is good.
Gaming
7.3/10
5.4/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for gaming, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7/10
5.9/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
TV and Video
8.6/10
5.6/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
8.3/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is poor.
Battery
N/A
12.0 Hours
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic does not have a battery. The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life.
Cost
$799
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the JBL Live Beam 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
10.0/10
8.5/10
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the JBL Live Beam 3 has very good build quality.
"These headphones outdo rival planar magnetic headphones, especially in terms of dynamics. Compared to the Hifiman Ananda or the Hifiman Edition XS there is noticeably more slam in the sound, particularly in the bass. The LCD-2C gives you a fantastic sense of quiet dynamics with crystalline precision. This is evident also in our clinical tests, where it’s just easier to understand spoken text at very low volumes."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the JBL Live Beam 3
About Audeze
Audeze is an, award-winning, American premium headphone manufacturer based in California. Founded in 2008, their products are developed around aerospace materials technology first used by NASA and are widely used by enthusiasts and professionals alike, not only in the fields of music and sound engineering but also in e-sports and the health industry.
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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