JBL Live Beam 3
JBL Live Beam 3
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MUSIC: Good—7.8/10
CALLS: Poor—5.2/10
GAMING: Poor—5.4/10
TV: Poor—5.6/10
PODCASTS & AUDIOBOOKS: Poor—5.9/10
EXERCISE: Very Good—8.4/10
AIR TRAVEL: Very Good—8.5/10
NOISE REDUCTION: Very Good—8.3/10
BUILD QUALITY: Very Good—8.5/10
BATTERY: Best in Class—10.0/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds feature a premium price point with a closed, stemmed design making them good for noise isolation but less ideal for a wide soundstage. They offer very good overall sound quality and comfort, with built-in controls that are user-friendly. While suitable for music and exercise due to their sweat and dustproof certification, they are not recommended for gaming or watching TV due to lower scores in these areas. The battery life is solid at 12 hours, extendable to 36 with the smart charging case that also facilitates wireless charging. Unique to these earbuds is the Smart Charging Case with an LED touch display for volume and ANC control. Active noise cancelling is included, enhancing their use during air travel. They come with LDAC and AAC codec support, though low latency performance is not highlighted. The earbuds are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, and offer features such as ear detection and a customizable app equalizer. They do not come with a cable as they are wireless, and they are not suitable for high-intensity workouts if you prioritize sound quality dedicated to gaming or TV. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- Very good overall sound quality
- Integrated Smart Charging Case with LED touch
- Active Noise Cancelling feature
- Wireless charging capability
- Optimized for Android and Apple
Cons
- Poor performance for calls, meetings, gaming, TV
- Short battery life of 12 hours
- Large earbud size might be uncomfortable
- No wired connection option
Ratings by Category
Battery Life:5.0
The Battery Life rating is based on hours of typical, actual usage.
Air Travel:4.6
This score evaluates the product for use on airplanes and other similar kinds of travel. It takes into account noise reduction and portability, including case shape, case size, and weight. It also incorporates the battery life of the product, long-haul comfort, noise reduction (both active and passive), and sound quality. We generally consider wireless products to be more suitable for air travel.
Exercise:4.5
This score evaluates the product when used for exercise and physical activity. It mainly takes into account comfort, whether or not the products are sweatproof and how secure are the earbuds or headphones while wearing them. We also consider products with wireless capabilities to be more suitable for this particular scenario
Music:4.4
This evaluates the product when used solely to listen to music. It takes into account the sound quality, whether or not they support high quality codecs, their ability to reproduce soundstage, and whether or not it has any virtual surround capabilities.
Portability:4.1
The Portability score is based on an overall assessment that includes volume and maximum dimension of the product (and case, if relevant), and its weight. Special features like foldability for headphones are also taken into account.
Podcasts & Audiobooks:3.0
This score evaluates the product when used solely to listen to podcasts or audiobooks. It takes into account sound quality and sound signature, to be able to keep voices clear and intelligible. It also considers battery life, when available, and comfort.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $216 | ||
Brand | JBL | ||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | ||
Form Factor | Earbuds | ||
Connectivity | Wireless | ||
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score  | 7.9/10 | ||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | ||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | ||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | ||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | ||
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | 12 Hours | ||
Wireless charging | Yes | ||
Charging time | 2 Hours | ||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | ||
Case Battery Life | 36 | ||
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | ||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | ||
Virtual Surround | Yes | ||
Android App | Yes | ||
iOS App | Yes | ||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | ||
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | ||
Comfort score | 7/10 | ||
Size | Large | ||
Weight of single earbud | 8.8 Grams | ||
Microphone style | Integrated | ||
Comparison charts
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