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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If noise cancellation is a priority, the JBL Live Beam 3 with its active noise cancelling (ANC) and LDAC codec support might appeal to you, although they come at a premium price. They also have a Smart Charging Case with an LED touch display for convenient control. Conversely, the Sony WF1000XM3, priced in the midrange, offers excellent build quality, great mic quality, and Sony's 360 Reality Audio for an immersive experience in supported apps. If wireless charging is important to you, the JBL has that feature, whereas the Sony does not. The JBL is optimized for exercise with sweat and dustproof certifications, making it a good fit for active users, but lacks low latency, making it less ideal for gaming and TV. Sony, on the other hand, with slightly better overall sound quality and a reputation for good soundstage and imaging, may be better suited for general music listening and calls. 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
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
5.2
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Battery
12.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$180
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Beam 3 has a price of $216 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM3 has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Beam 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.8
7.5
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Sony WF1000XM3 are both good for music.
Gaming
5.4
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM3 and JBL Live Beam 3 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 and JBL Live Beam 3 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.3
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Sony WF1000XM3 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the JBL Live Beam 3 and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Beam 3 | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 12 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sony WF1000XM3
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Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Beam 3 or the Sony WF1000XM3
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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
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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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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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