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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience, touch control features, and active noise cancelling for commuting or flights, the JBL Live Beam 3, despite being more expensive, would be better suited for you. However, if you're looking for very good wired sound quality on a budget, mainly for music and calls, and don't mind the lack of advanced wireless features like noise cancelling or battery case, the Moondrop Chu could be a more cost-effective choice; just remember they may not be ideal for exercise due to their lack of sweatproofing and are not as travel-friendly without wireless and ANC 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 Chu
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
5.4
8.0
The Moondrop Chu is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
8.8
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
7.6
The Moondrop Chu is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.5
The Moondrop Chu is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.0
The JBL Live Beam 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Moondrop Chu is only fair.
Battery
12.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life. The Moondrop Chu does not have a battery.
Cost
$216
$21
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Beam 3 has a price of $216 and the Moondrop Chu costs $21.
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Key similarities
Music
7.8
7.9
The Moondrop Chu and JBL Live Beam 3 are both good for music.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Moondrop Chu both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Beam 3 and the Moondrop Chu compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Beam 3 | Moondrop Chu |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $21 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | April 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 8.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 12 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
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 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | In-Line | |
Shopping
Moondrop Chu
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2022
"These budget buds put the pressure on those premium priced in-ear monitors to really justify the cost disparity. Offering excellent sound quality at any price, the Moondrop Chu is both a perfect entry into the audio enthusiast hobby, and an all around good pick for music fans."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Beam 3 or the Moondrop Chu
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).
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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.
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.
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