JBL Live Buds 3 vs JBL Live Beam 3: Streamlined Versatility Clashes with Advanced Audio
By Elisabeth Christ
Updated July 2024
Surrounded by a whirlwind of audio breakthroughs, JBL keeps pushing the boundaries of wireless earbuds. Set to hit the stage later this summer, the Live Buds 3 and Live Beam 3 showcase JBL's knack for mixing style, substance, and cutting-edge tech. As these powerhouses face off, let’s get to know their world of design, features, and prowess to unveil the true champion of earbud excellence.
Key Takeaways
The JBL Live Buds 3 are designed for those seeking portability and comfort, featuring a lightweight build of just 9.2 grams per earbud and offering up to 10 hours of playtime, while the charging case extends that to 30 hours. In contrast, the JBL Live Beam 3 boasts superior battery life, providing up to 12 hours of use per charge and a total of 48 hours with the case. Both models come equipped with 10mm drivers, delivering a frequency response from 20 Hz to 40 kHz, ensuring a rich audio experience. Additionally, both earbuds are rated IP55 for water and dust resistance, making them suitable for active lifestyles.
JBL Live Buds 3
Stronger in Design Aesthetics
✓ IP55-rated water resistance
✓ 10mm dynamic drivers
✓ Wide range customization
✓ 1.45-inch LED touch display
JBL Live Beam 3
Stronger in Battery Life
✓ IP55-rated water resistance
✓ Clear highs, well-defined mids, and balanced bass
✓ True Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC) and JBL Spatial Sound support
✓ Up to 48 hours of battery life
#1 Price & Design
JBL Live Buds 3
Priced at a sweet $200, the JBL Live Buds 3 and JBL Live Beam 3 make quite the duo for music lovers. The Live Buds 3, rocking classy black or silver shades, give off that modern chic vibe. Designed for comfort and toughness, they sport a slick 1.45-inch LED touch display on the charging case, bringing a touch of the future to adjusting volume, ANC, calls, texts, and more. The snug fit, noise isolation, and IP55 rating mean the Live Buds 3 are ready for any escapade.
On the other hand, we've got the Live Beam 3, making its debut in January 2024 and weighing a feather-light 5 grams per earbud. It also boasts a 1.45-inch LED touch display on the case. The lollipop-like design with stems offers easy controls on each earbud's back, blending style and usability seamlessly. With an IP55 rating and three ear tip sizes, the Live Beam 3 is tailored for those who crave both style and substance.
#2 Touchscreeen Display on the Charging Case
JBL Live Beam 3
Both the JBL Live Buds 3 and Live Beam 3 elevate user interaction with their 1.45-inch LED touch displays on the charging cases. This feature transforms the way users interact with their earbuds, offering seamless control over volume adjustments, ANC toggling, and even social media notifications. The ability to retrieve calls and view text messages directly from the case adds a layer of convenience, making these earbuds a perfect blend of technology and practicality.
The touchscreen display is not just a superficial addition; it enhances the overall user experience by providing real-time updates and notifications. Whether you are adjusting your music or checking a notification, the display offers a quick and intuitive interface. The inclusion of a lanyard loop on the case of the Live Buds 3 further enhances portability, ensuring that your earbuds are always within reach.
#3 Noise Cancellation
JBL Live Buds 3
When it comes to noise cancellation, the JBL Live Buds 3 and JBL Live Beam 3 take slightly different routes. The Live Buds 3 rock a mix of passive noise isolation and active noise cancellation (ANC) for a double whammy against background noise. This combo makes them a solid pick for daily use in all sorts of settings, whether you're commuting or navigating a noisy office. Their in-ear design naturally seals off ambient noise, while the ANC kicks in to amp up the immersive vibes. However, the Live Beam 3 might edge ahead in the noise cancellation game with its fancy features.
On the flip side, the JBL Live Beam 3 rolls with True Adaptive Noise Cancelling tech that adapts to the noise levels around you. This means the Live Beam 3 can fine-tune its noise cancellation on the fly, serving up a tailor-made listening experience. Plus, with six mics per earbud, call quality gets a boost, and the ANC gets a leg up by zeroing in on ambient sounds. This high-tech setup lets the Live Beam 3 shine in noisy spots, making it a top pick for folks craving top-tier noise cancellation. While both models hold their own in the noise-canceling arena, the Live Beam 3 steals the show with its adaptive tech and killer mic setup, perfect for those after primo noise isolation.
#4 Sound Quality
JBL Live Beam 3
The JBL Live Buds 3 and JBL Live Beam 3 are both in-ear earbuds that offer high-quality sound, but they differ in their sound profiles and technologies. The Live Buds 3, equipped with 10mm dynamic drivers, offer high-resolution audio wireless with LDAC support, ensuring a rich and detailed soundscape. JBL Spatial Sound further enhances this experience, providing a sense of depth and immersion that transforms everyday listening into a concert-like event. The Buds 3 features a more balanced sound with a frequency response that ranges from 20 Hz to 40 kHz. This wide range allows for clear and detailed audio reproduction, making it suitable for various types of music and content. The earbuds also have a sensitivity of 97 dB/mW, which ensures that the sound is loud and clear even at lower volumes.
In contrast, The Live Beam 3, powered by JBL Signature Sound and featuring 10mm dynamic drivers, offers a balanced and powerful audio performance and the a more focused and punchy sound profile, with a similar frequency response range. This design is particularly beneficial for genres like hip-hop and electronic music, where bass and midrange frequencies are emphasized. The earbuds also have a sensitivity of 98 dB/mW, which provides a more powerful sound output. The Beam 3 also supports LDAC high-resolution audio, which enhances the overall sound quality and provides a more immersive listening experience.
In terms of sound quality, the JBL Live Beam 3 might be preferred by those who enjoy a more dynamic and energetic sound, while the JBL Live Buds 3 could appeal to those who prefer a more balanced and detailed sound. Ultimately, the choice between these two earbuds depends on personal preferences and the type of music or content one typically listens to.
#5 Mics and Calls
JBL Live Buds 3
Communication is seamless with the JBL Live Buds 3 and Live Beam 3, both of which are engineered to provide superior call quality. Each model features six beamforming microphones, strategically positioned to capture the user's voice with precision while minimizing background noise. This ensures that calls are clear and intelligible, even in noisy environments. The combination of beamforming technology and noise-sensing microphones creates an optimal environment for uninterrupted communication.
The advanced microphone systems in both models not only enhance call quality but also contribute to superior noise cancellation. By reducing ambient noise, the mics allow for focused voice pickup, ensuring that conversations are natural and lifelike. Whether for professional meetings or casual chats, the JBL Live Buds 3 and Live Beam 3 provide reliable and high-quality voice transmission, making them ideal for any scenario.
#6 Battery Life and Connectivity
JBL Live Beam 3
Battery performance is a critical aspect of wireless earbuds, and both the JBL Live Buds 3 and Live Beam 3 deliver impressive endurance. The Live Buds 3 offer up to 10 hours of playtime with ANC off and 8 hours with ANC on, with an additional 30 hours provided by the charging case. Fast charging capabilities ensure that 10 minutes of charging can deliver 4 hours of playback, and a full charge is achieved in just 2 hours, minimizing downtime.
The Live Beam 3, on the other hand, offers even more extended battery life with up to 12 hours of playtime with ANC off and 10 hours with ANC on. The charging case provides an additional 36 hours, making it an ideal choice for long journeys or extended use. Like the Live Buds 3, the Live Beam 3 also supports fast charging, providing 4 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge and a full charge in 2 hours. This extended battery life ensures that users can enjoy their music without interruption, no matter how long their day may be.
JBL Live Buds 3
Connectivity is seamless and robust with both the JBL Live Buds 3 and Live Beam 3. Featuring Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio support, these earbuds offer a stable and efficient wireless connection. Multipoint connectivity allows users to switch effortlessly between devices, enhancing convenience for those who juggle multiple gadgets. Google Audio Switch further streamlines this process, enabling flexible connection changes without hassle.
Charging options are versatile, with both models supporting USB-C and wireless charging. This flexibility ensures that users can keep their earbuds powered up in a variety of situations. The integration of Personi-Fi 3.0 in the Live Buds 3 and Personi-Fi 3.1 in the Live Beam 3 allows for personalized sound profiles, tailoring the audio experience to individual preferences. This level of customization, combined with advanced connectivity features, makes both models a top choice for tech-savvy users seeking high-performance earbuds.
JBL Live Buds 3 vs JBL Live Beam 3
Final Thoughts
JBL Live Buds 3 vs JBL Live Beam 3
As we wrap up, the JBL Live Buds 3 and Live Beam 3 cater to diverse tastes while delivering top-notch performance. If you're all about comfort and personalized sound, the Live Buds 3 are your go-to with their cozy fit and nifty customization. On the flip side, the Live Beam 3 steps in with long-lasting power and next-level noise-canceling chops, ideal for those who crave endurance and top-of-the-line audio isolation. Whether you're into cutting-edge tech or lasting performance, JBL's latest gems promise a listening adventure tailored just for you.
If you like to read more about Wireless Earbuds, check out our other relevant guides here:
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