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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience, better noise isolation for travel, and features like a touch display on the case, active noise cancelling, and sweatproof certification, the JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds are a suitable premium option. However, if a tighter budget is a concern and you prefer headphones for a more natural soundstage and generally better sound quality for music at home, the Rode NTH-100 may be more appropriate, although they lack wireless capabilities, active noise cancelling, and are not optimized for exercise or travel. Choose based on whether wireless features and portability or sound quality and price are more important to you. 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 Rode NTH-100
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
5.4
6.5
The Rode NTH-100 is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
7.6
The Rode NTH-100 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.7
The Rode NTH-100 is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.3
The JBL Live Beam 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Battery
12.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$216
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Beam 3 has a price of $216 and the Rode NTH-100 costs $149.
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Key similarities
Music
7.8
8.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Rode NTH-100 to be very good for music, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is good.
Phone Calls
5.2
4.8
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Rode NTH-100 are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Rode NTH-100 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Beam 3 and the Rode NTH-100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Beam 3 | Rode NTH-100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | March 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 6.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 4.2/10 | |
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 | 5.3/10 | |
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 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Rode NTH-100
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Kizito Katawonga | March 2023
"The NTH-100M is a closed-back headset aimed at professional audiophiles—streamers, podcasters and content creators included—looking for masterful audio and a detachable 'broadcast-grade' microphone."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Beam 3 or the Rode NTH-100
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 Rode
Rode is an Australian audio equipment manufacturer. Rode was founded in 1967 as Freedman Electronics, transitioning into its modern brand in 1990, and it’s mainly known for their high-end microphones and audio production equipment. In 2022 they entered into the headphone market with their NTH-100 closed back headphone which was received with very good reviews from the community.
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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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