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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and have a dedicated amplifier, the HifiMan Arya Stealth headphones offer a top-tier listening experience suited for music and TV, but they are open-back, so they leak sound and don't isolate noise well, making them poor choices for noisier environments or exercising. Conversely, JBL Live Buds 3 are more versatile, with good sound quality, active noise canceling, and sweatproof certification, ideal for exercise and travel, and they support wireless features like a charging case and touch controls, making them a convenient choice for on-the-go use and phone calls despite lower performance for music and TV. 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 HifiMan Arya Stealth
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Buds 3
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
10.0
7.8
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is good.
Gaming
7.1
5.4
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is good for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
5.9
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
TV and Video
9.4
5.6
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery. The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$599
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $599 and the JBL Live Buds 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Buds 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.2
The JBL Live Buds 3 and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both poor for phone calls.
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How the HifiMan Arya Stealth and the JBL Live Buds 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Arya Stealth | JBL Live Buds 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 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 | 2.5/10 | 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 | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 408.2 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
HifiMan Arya Stealth
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | October 2022
"The Arya can easily be end-game headphones for 99% of consumers, satisfying most audio desires. Priced well above USD$1000, the Arya are obviously and gloriously not for the mass market consumer; they are designed and built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts – especially those who view their expenses on this level of gear as investments."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Arya Stealth or the JBL Live Buds 3
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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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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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