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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize high sound quality at a more affordable price and don't mind using a wired connection, the Etymotic ER2SE would be a great choice; they offer excellent noise isolation and sound quality, but lack features like wireless connectivity and a microphone. On the other hand, JBL Live Buds 3 are more expensive but come with modern features like wireless charging, active noise cancelling, and a smart charging case with a touch display. They are also more versatile for activities like exercise and air travel, and have better battery life, but their sound quality in calls and meetings may not be as good. If you often use your earbuds wirelessly and value convenience and tech features, the JBL Live Buds 3 might be the better option for you. 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 Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Buds 3
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is good.
Gaming
6.2
5.4
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
5.9
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is very good.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$216
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the JBL Live Buds 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Buds 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.2
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the JBL Live Buds 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | JBL Live Buds 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER2SE
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the JBL Live Buds 3
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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
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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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