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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality for music and excellent noise isolation, the Etymotic ER4XR would be a better choice for you; however, they are wired and may not be as comfortable for all users, lacking features like a microphone and controls. On the other hand, the JBL Live Buds 3 offer very good sound and are wireless with a robust feature set that includes active noise cancelling, a smart charging case with a touch display, and a longer battery life. They are suitable for exercise and air travel as they are sweatproof and provide better portability. The JBL Live Buds 3 are more expensive, but they come with modern conveniences such as app equalizer customization and wireless charging, which the Etymotic earbuds lack. 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 ER4XR
- 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
Gaming
6.2
5.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.7
5.2
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live Buds 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
5.9
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.4
5.6
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is very good.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the JBL Live Buds 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Buds 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
7.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to be very good for music, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is good.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the JBL Live Buds 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | JBL Live Buds 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 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 ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR 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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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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones evaluated
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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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
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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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