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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality for calls and do a lot of air travel, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 offers superior mic quality and active noise cancelling, which can be worth the extra cost. However, if you're looking for better value and longer battery life, the JBL Live Buds 3 are less expensive and have a longer battery life, including a smart charging case with additional features like an LED touch display. The PI7 supports AptX Adaptive and low latency, making them suitable for TV and video, while the JBL offers LDAC codec which can be a plus for high-quality audio streaming. Both are stemless earbuds with active noise cancelling and are sweat and dustproof certified, but if app customization and wireless charging are important to you, consider the JBL Live Buds 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 Bowers and Wilkins PI7
- Very good for gaming
Advantages of the JBL Live Buds 3
- Good for music
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
6.8
7.8
The JBL Live Buds 3 is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
8.1
5.4
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
5.9
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Bowers and Wilkins PI7 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Live Buds 3 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
6.8
5.6
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 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 Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the JBL Live Buds 3 costs $216.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.2
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Bowers and Wilkins PI7 are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.3
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and JBL Live Buds 3 are both very good for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and JBL Live Buds 3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the JBL Live Buds 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | JBL Live Buds 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.7 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins PI7
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | April 2022
"The primary selling point of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is the charging case that can transmit audio from any analog source to the earbuds. If you have a very specific and clear need for that feature, then the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is for you."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 or the JBL Live Buds 3
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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