The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you're looking for wireless convenience and features like active noise cancelling, the JBL Live Beam 3 is suitable, especially during exercise or air travel, and they have a longer battery life. They also offer app customizations, optimized for both Android and Apple, and touch controls via the smart charging case. However, for critical listening and a more balanced audio experience, the Moondrop Blessing 2 may be the better choice, though they are wired and lack modern features such as sweatproof certification, app equalization, and wireless functionality. The Moondrop's excellent build quality and detachable cable suggest a focus on sound and durability over convenience features. 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
Very good for exercise
Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Moondrop Blessing 2
Very good for music
Very good for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.8/10
8.7/10
The Moondrop Blessing 2 is very good for music, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is good.
Gaming
5.4/10
6.7/10
The Moondrop Blessing 2 is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9/10
7.8/10
The Moondrop Blessing 2 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6/10
8.2/10
The Moondrop Blessing 2 is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3/10
6.0/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Moondrop Blessing 2 is only fair.
Battery
12.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life. The Moondrop Blessing 2 does not have a battery.
Cost
$216
$313
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The JBL Live Beam 3 has a price of $216 and the Moondrop Blessing 2 costs $313.
Build Quality
8.5/10
9.0/10
The Moondrop Blessing 2 has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Beam 3 has very good build quality.
"After having the opportunity to finally listen to them myself, I think I can kind of begin to understand why this set in particular has garnered so much hype and praise over the past year, since its release. It’s a truly delightful IEM to listen to, with an outstanding tonal balance that I think most listeners will enjoy, and solid all-around technical performance at a great price."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Beam 3 or the Moondrop Blessing 2
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.
About Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
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
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,200
Recommendations made
18,480
Consumer hours saved
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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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.
Luis Torres
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.