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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize longer battery life and an over-ear design for potentially better sound isolation and comfort, despite being at a higher price point, the Beats Solo 3 could be suitable for you. However, they have poor mic quality and may not be ideal for calls, gaming, or watching TV. On the other hand, the JBL Tune 660NC might be more budget-friendly and offers the convenience of active noise cancelling, something the Beats Solo 3 lacks, making it better for air travel and noisy environments. Note, though, that the JBL has an on-ear design which some find less comfortable for extended listening sessions compared to over-ear headphones. 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 Beats Solo 3
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the JBL Tune 660NC
- The JBL Tune 660NC has no clear advantages over the Beats Solo 3.
Key differences
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The JBL Tune 660NC is only fair for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Cost
$117
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the JBL Tune 660NC costs $50.
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Key similarities
Music
6.3
6.1
The Beats Solo 3 and JBL Tune 660NC are both only fair for music.
Gaming
5.3
5.4
The JBL Tune 660NC and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.7
5.1
The JBL Tune 660NC and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
5.7
The Beats Solo 3 and JBL Tune 660NC are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.6
5.6
The Beats Solo 3 and JBL Tune 660NC are both poor for TV and video.
Battery
41.5 Hours
42.0 Hours
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The JBL Tune 660NC has 42 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
The Beats Solo 3 and JBL Tune 660NC both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the JBL Tune 660NC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | JBL Tune 660NC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | February 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | 42 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 172 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
JBL Tune 660NC
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Chase Bernath | April 2023
"The JBL Tune 660NC is the best value you can get from a set of on-ear headphones. There's no companion app so you don't get many additional features, but everything the JBL Tune 660NC sets out to do, it does well. At this price, the JBL Tune 660NC is an easy recommendation for on-ear headphone lovers"
Get a great deal on the Beats Solo 3 or the JBL Tune 660NC
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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.
Luis Torres
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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