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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Audeze Maxwell offers excellent build and sound quality, with a removable boom mic that's ideal for gaming and calls. Their over-ear form and planar drivers provide an immersive experience, but they're not as portable and have limited use during exercise. The JBL Live Beam 3 is more suited for active lifestyles, with sweat and dust resistance, and a smart charging case with a touch display. However, they have lower performance in calls, meetings, gaming and TV. If budget allows and you want premium sound with versatility for different uses including gaming, Audeze Maxwell is superior. For an active lifestyle and portability with smart features at a lower cost, consider the JBL Live Beam 3. 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 Maxwell
- Very good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Beam 3
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
8.4
7.8
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is good.
Gaming
9.0
5.4
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.7
5.2
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
5.9
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
TV and Video
8.9
5.6
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The JBL Live Beam 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audeze Maxwell is only fair.
Battery
78.0 Hours
12.0 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the JBL Live Beam 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Beam 3 has very good build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the JBL Live Beam 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | JBL Live Beam 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 12 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 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 | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audeze Maxwell
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | August 2023
"Despite a few caveats, the Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-performing gaming headsets on the market and should top the ranks for a few buyers — provided the budget (and neck strength) is there. Gaming headsets have their work cut out for them, and their audience is historically unkind to performance flaws. If you’re an older gamer with some cash to blow, you should be pleased with the Audeze Maxwell."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell 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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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