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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 an amplifier, the HifiMan Sundara offers very good sound with an open-back design for an immersive soundstage but lacks features like a microphone and wireless connectivity, making it less flexible for calls or exercise. The Sundara is also larger and less portable. In contrast, the JBL Live Buds 3 are better for active lifestyles and commuting, with excellent noise isolation, wireless connectivity, and features like a smart charging case with touch controls, sweatproof certification, and active noise canceling, but they may not match the Sundara in sound quality for music. Choose Sundara for a high-fidelity home listening experience or Live Buds 3 for versatility and on-the-go convenience. 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 Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very 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
9.3
7.8
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is good.
Gaming
7.2
5.4
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
5.9
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
TV and Video
8.8
5.6
The HifiMan Sundara is very good 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 Sundara is poor.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery. The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$279
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the JBL Live Buds 3 costs $216.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.2
The JBL Live Buds 3 and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The JBL Live Buds 3 and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the JBL Live Buds 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | JBL Live Buds 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | 8.2/10 | 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) | 394.6 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
HifiMan Sundara
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Sundara 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
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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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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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