JBL Live Beam 3
Apple AirPods Pro 3
What Buyers Say
JBL Live Beam 3
The JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds receive largely positive feedback for their excellent sound quality, deep bass, and innovative charging case with a touchscreen that allows control without a phone. Users appreciate the customizable EQ, effective noise cancellation, and comfortable fit, though some note the ANC is not the best and the case battery life could be better. However, a significant minority report severe issues with firmware updates causing one earbud to stop working, poor customer support, and bugs like random reconnection or settings resetting, leading to a strong warning against purchase.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Deep and rich bass
- Innovative touchscreen charging case
- Customizable EQ via app
- Effective noise cancellation
Cons
- Firmware update failures causing earbud malfunction
- Poor customer support
- Case battery life subpar
- ANC not the best
- Bugs like random reconnection and settings reset
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 receive high praise for their exceptional active noise cancellation, improved sound quality with deep bass and clear vocals, and comfortable secure fit. Users highlight the new heart-rate sensor, adaptive audio, and live translation as valuable upgrades. However, a few reviewers report discomfort due to the hard plastic shape or fit issues, and some note the case battery could be stronger. Overall, they are seen as a premium but worthwhile upgrade for daily use.
Pros
- Exceptional active noise cancellation
- Improved sound quality with deep bass
- Comfortable and secure fit
- Useful heart-rate sensor
- Adaptive audio and transparency mode
Cons
- Uncomfortable hard plastic shape for some
- Fit issues causing earbuds to fall out
- Case battery could be stronger
- High price point
- Different fit compared to previous generations
Scores
Specifications
| JBL Live Beam 3 | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | XS, S, M, L | XXS, XS, S, M, L |
| Weight | 0.08 kg | 0.01 kg★ |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 10 mm★ | — |
| Drivers | 1 | 1 |
| Freq Min | 20 Hz★ | — |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz★ | — |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 140 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB★ | — |
| Max SPL | 96 dB★ | — |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | JBL Live Beam 3 - True Wireless Noise-Cancelling Closed-Stick Earbuds, 48Hrs Total Playback, Wireless Charging, 6 Mics for Perfect Calls, Multi-Point Connection, IP55 Waterproof and dustproof | AAC, SBC |
| Surround | — | Spatial Audio |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | Adaptive Audio |
| Transparency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Profiles | A2DP 1.4, AVRCP, HFP 1.8 | — |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wired Connector | — | USB-C |
| Range | 10.100000381469727 m★ | — |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 12 hrs★ | 8 hrs |
| Charge Time | 2 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 10min=4hrs | 5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 36 hrs★ | 24 hrs |
| Case Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | ✓ | ✓ |
| Capacity | 68 mAh★ | — |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6★ | 2 |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | Siri |
| Touch Controls | ✓ | ✓ |
| App | JBL Headphones | Android & iOS |
| Gaming Mode | ✗ | — |
| Bone Conduction | ✗ | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | IP57 |
Pros & Cons
JBL Live Beam 3
- Strong connectivity (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong anc (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong build (91st percentile)91st %ile
Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Strong connectivity (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong social proof (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong build (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong anc (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
Verdict
Scores 94 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 1 of 41 specs.