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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The JBL Live Buds 3 are wireless with active noise cancelling, making them ideal for exercise and travel, and they have a very good comfort and built-in controls. They're also optimized for both Android and Apple devices, and feature a Smart Charging Case with a touch display. However, their sound quality isn't suited for critical listening and they're poor for gaming and calls. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II earbuds offer best-in-class sound, suited for music enthusiasts, and they come with a detachable cable, but lack wireless capability, noise cancelling, and smartphone optimization. They're not suitable for exercise or travel, and they don't support calls well. If budget allows and high-fidelity audio is a priority, go for the Monarch Mk II; otherwise, for convenience and active usage, the JBL Live Buds 3 are more versatile. 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 Buds 3
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.8
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is good.
Gaming
5.4
6.7
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Buds 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.0
The JBL Live Buds 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Battery
10.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Buds 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$216
$999
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The JBL Live Buds 3 has a price of $216 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Buds 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
5.1
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both poor for phone calls.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the JBL Live Buds 3 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Buds 3 | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 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 | 30 | 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 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
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Dig into reviews and images
Audiophile On
Audiophile On | August 2021
"No other earphone I have listened to in the past 12 months has given me as much joy as the Thieaduio Monarch MKII. One of those IEMs will make you question where we can go from here. The sound is jaw-dropping, leaving you wanting more and more. It makes you want to run through your entire music library and reevaluate. It makes you not feel bad about paying full price for them, especially in a hobby where buyers' remorse is genuine. For me, it's top tier, rivaled by a few but not surpassed."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Buds 3 or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
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 Thieaudio
Thieaudio is the in-house brand of Linsoul Audio, a Chinese earbud and headphone retailer specializing in what the community lovingly calls Chi-fi, that is high fidelity brands out of China. Thieaudio was established in 2019 as the creative engineering branch of Linsoul. As of today, they market three different lines of earbuds, Voyager, Legacy and the extremely well-received Monarch.
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