JBL is well-regarded for its reliable, budget-friendly audio gear, particularly its portable speakers. Building on the success of their Live Buds and Live Beam lines, JBL introduces the Live Buds 3 and Live Beam 3, packed with enhanced features. These new earbuds come with a smart charging case that eliminates the need for app downloads, offering a one-stop hub for music customization. Let’s dive into what they offer.
What Comes In The Box
| JBL Live Buds 3 | JBL Live Beam 3 |
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JBL ensures consistency in their packaging, so you can focus on choosing the style you prefer.
Aesthetics and Functionality
The Live Buds 3 and Live Beam 3 feature sleek black designs with metallic accents. The Live Buds 3 are lightweight and nearly invisible in-ear, delivering a natural sound. The Live Beam 3, similar in style to AirPods, is even lighter, making it more comfortable than its competitors. Both models automatically pair when you open the charging case, indicated by blue LED lights. The touch controls are easier to navigate on the Live Buds 3 due to their simpler design, though the Live Beam 3’s stem-style sensors are still functional. Pairing is quick, and connectivity remains stable without dropouts.
The standout feature is the smart charging case, reminiscent of JBL’s Tour series. It offers volume control, EQ adjustment, noise cancellation settings, and playback controls, making it a handy alternative to using a phone app.
Tech Specs
| JBL Live Buds 3 | JBL Live Beam 3 |
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You can see that the two models are fairly consistent, thus our choosing to look at them side by side. There isn’t much difference between the Live Beam 3 and the Live Buds 3, aside from shape and weight in the earbuds themselves a few other points. The Live Buds 3 are slightly more sensitive, while the Live Beam 3 offers longer battery life. Ultimately, the choice comes down to style preference.
Listening Review
Soundstage & ANC
Both the JBL Live Buds 3 and Live Beam 3 deliver a sound profile that’s consistent and engaging. The soundstage, while narrower than some competitors, is impressively precise. It offers accurate imaging, allowing you to pinpoint instrument placement within a track. This is particularly enjoyable for acoustic or live recordings where spatial details matter.
The advertised active noise cancelation effectively minimizes ambient noise, immersing you in your music. While some background noise may occasionally bleed through, the robust sound performance compensates, providing a listening experience that feels intimate and uninterrupted. The pass-through (ambient) mode works well, giving you instant awareness of your surroundings without needing to remove the earbuds.
Low Frequencies
The low-end response is one of the standout features of both models. Bass tones are full-bodied and punchy, with excellent separation that avoids muddiness. Kick drums deliver a satisfying thump, and basslines maintain clarity and texture. Whether you’re listening to hip-hop, EDM, or rock, the bass feels powerful yet controlled, striking the right balance between energy and precision. These earbuds are particularly suited for workouts or high-energy activities, where a driving low end can boost motivation.
Mid-Range Frequencies
The midrange is where the Live Buds 3 and Live Beam 3 truly shine. Vocals are rendered with exceptional clarity and sit prominently in the mix, giving tracks a natural and lifelike feel. Complex instrumental layers, like those found in orchestral or heavily layered pop tracks, are well-defined, allowing individual instruments to stand out without overpowering the vocals. Harmonies and intricate details in the midrange elevate the listening experience, making it a favorite range for audiophiles who value texture and balance.
High Frequencies
The treble frequencies add brightness and sparkle to the overall sound profile. High-end instruments like acoustic guitars, violins, and brass have a lively and crisp presence without veering into harshness. The extended frequency response, reaching up to 40kHz, ensures that subtle nuances—such as the trailing reverberation of cymbals or the airy quality of flutes—are preserved. This attention to detail brings a sense of space and openness to tracks, even when the soundstage is more intimate.
Summary
The JBL Live Buds 3 and Live Beam 3 are excellent additions to JBL’s lineup, offering vibrant sound, strong battery life, and user-friendly features. At $199.95, they’re a solid choice for anyone seeking reliable, high-quality earbuds with customizable features. The smart charging case is certainly a wonderful feature and one that I don’t see JBL getting rid of anytime soon, and with sound quality leveling up with each new model, they’ll soon be able to compete against the best of the best.
The JBL Live Buds 3 and the JBL Live Beam 3 are both available at Audio46.
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