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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If premium build and sound quality are top priorities, and you don't mind spending more, the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX are a great choice; they offer excellent overall sound, active noise cancelling, and aptX Adaptive codec for high-quality audio over Bluetooth. However, if you're looking for value and still desire very good sound quality with features like smart touch controls on the case and all the benefits of modern earbuds such as wireless charging and dustproof certification, the JBL Live Buds 3 are a compelling, more affordable alternative. Keep in mind that the JBL earbuds may not match the Beoplay EX in terms of sound performance for music and TV, nor do they offer aptX codec support. If you prioritize unique features like the Smart Charging Case with touch display and longer battery life, JBL might be more suitable. If calls and meetings are a frequent use case for you, both pairs only have a good mic quality, so neither would be ideal for that purpose. 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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the JBL Live Buds 3
- The JBL Live Buds 3 has no clear advantages over the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX.
Key differences
Gaming
9.3
5.4
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is excellent for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
TV and Video
8.9
5.6
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has 6.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has a price of $399 and the JBL Live Buds 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has best in class build quality, while the JBL Live Buds 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.9
7.8
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and JBL Live Buds 3 are both good for music.
Phone Calls
5.3
5.2
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and JBL Live Buds 3 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
5.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and JBL Live Buds 3 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and the JBL Live Buds 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX | JBL Live Buds 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 22 | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Dig into reviews and images
Leaf and Core
Danielle | January 2023
"If you’ve wanted truly wireless headphones, but couldn’t pick them up because they sound terrible, these will be the headphones that win you over. If you’re the kind of person who would consider spending $400 on headphones, these are the right truly wireless headphones for you."
Get a great deal on the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX or the JBL Live Buds 3
About Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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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Why trust us
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
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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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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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