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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize overall sound quality, comfort, and features like active noise cancelling and wireless charging, the JBL Live Beam 3 is a premium choice despite the higher cost. However, for affordability and the highest portability, the Skullcandy Dime 2 would suit those needs better, but compromises must be made in soundstage, mic quality, and noise isolation. The Live Beam 3 has better battery life and is optimized for both Android and Apple devices. If you need earbuds for exercise, both are sweatproof, but the JBL has better use during exercise and air travel scores. 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 Skullcandy Dime 2
The Skullcandy Dime 2 has no clear advantages over the JBL Live Beam 3.
Key differences
Music
7.8/10
6.0/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 is good for music, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is only fair.
Gaming
5.4/10
4.7/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both poor for gaming, though the JBL Live Beam 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9/10
5.2/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Live Beam 3 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6/10
5.1/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both poor for TV and video, though the JBL Live Beam 3 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
8.3/10
6.5/10
The JBL Live Beam 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is only fair.
Battery
12.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life. The Skullcandy Dime 2 has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Beam 3 has a price of $216 and the Skullcandy Dime 2 costs $30.
"With the low price, it’s a low-risk investment. The Dime 2 is a decent set of backup buds for those times when you don’t want to risk your more upscale buds. If it weren’t for the lackluster battery life, I’d say everyone should have a pair as a spare for music."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Beam 3 or the Skullcandy Dime 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 Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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.
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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.