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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for portability and use during exercise, the JBL Live Flex 3 earbuds may suit you better as they are sweatproof and offer a secure fit. They also provide superior noise isolation, which is great for air travel. They feature wireless charging and a unique LED touch display on their charging case for convenient controls. However, their sound quality for calls, meetings, TV, and video isn't as strong. On the other hand, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones, at a lower price point, offer excellent comfort, a very good microphone for calls, and are well-optimized for gaming and TV viewing due to better sound performance in those areas. They boast a longer battery life for extended use but aren't as suited for exercise or travel due to their larger over-ear design and lack of sweat and dustproof 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 Flex 3
- Very good for music
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
5.5
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.2
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
4.6
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
52.0 Hours
The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$216
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The JBL Live Flex 3 has a price of $216 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.5
7.0
The JBL Live Flex 3 has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Live Flex 3 to be very good for music, while the Sony WH-CH520 is good.
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How the JBL Live Flex 3 and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Flex 3 | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 40 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sony WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Flex 3 or the Sony WH-CH520
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
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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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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