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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize portability and use during exercise, the JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds may suit you better as they are sweatproof and offer excellent noise isolation for your workouts. They also support wireless charging, have a smart charging case with touch controls, and offer better battery life. However, if you're on a budget and looking for headphones that offer excellent overall sound quality, the Marshall Major IV might be preferable, especially for longer listening sessions due to their longer battery life. Keep in mind that the JBLs have active noise canceling for travel and exercise, while the Marshalls do not, but the Marshalls are more compact when folded. 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 JBL Live Beam 3
- Good for music
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Marshall Major IV
- The Marshall Major IV has no clear advantages over the JBL Live Beam 3.
Key differences
Music
7.8
6.6
The JBL Live Beam 3 is good for music, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.2
5.8
The Marshall Major IV and JBL Live Beam 3 are both poor for phone calls, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.6
The JBL Live Beam 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Battery
12.0 Hours
80.0 Hours
The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life. The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Beam 3 has a price of $216 and the Marshall Major IV costs $100.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.4
The Marshall Major IV and JBL Live Beam 3 are both poor for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
6.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Marshall Major IV to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
5.7
The Marshall Major IV and JBL Live Beam 3 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Marshall Major IV both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Beam 3 and the Marshall Major IV compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Beam 3 | Marshall Major IV |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Marshall | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 12 Hours | 80 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 165 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Marshall Major IV
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"The Marshall Major IV shares quite a bit in common with its predecessor, but a key upgrade appears to be softer ear cushions. They make upgrading worth it. As a set of basic wired or wireless headphones the Major IV ticks most boxes by remaining easy to use, and fairly comfortable (at least, as on-ear headphones go)."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Beam 3 or the Marshall Major IV
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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