- Great sound with deep bass
- Smart display adds useful functionality
- Strong ANC and transparency mode
- Fantastic battery life
- Comfortable fit with soft ear tips
- Case is bulky compared to competitors
- Highs could be more refined
- Magnets in the case could be stronger
The JBL Live Beam 3 packs impressive sound, strong ANC, and an innovative smart display in its charging case. With LDAC support, customizable EQ, and excellent battery life, it’s a solid option for those who want both high-quality audio and extra convenience.
Price, Availability, and Specs
The JBL Live Beam 3 is available now and competes with flagship earbuds from Sony, Samsung, and Bose.
It is priced at $199.95 and is available in black, blue, silver, and purple. You can purchase it from major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and JBL’s official store.
While its pricing sits in the premium segment, it brings some unique features that set it apart—most notably, the smart display on the case.
Specifications
- Battery Life: 9 hours with ANC (Case extends to 40 hours)
- Noise Cancellation: True Adaptive ANC
- Microphones: 6 total (including beamforming mics)
- IP Rating: IP55 (buds), IPX4 (case)
- Charging: USB-C, wireless charging
- Driver Size: 11mm dynamic drivers
- Spatial Audio: Yes
- Multipoint Support: Yes
Smart Display: More Than Just a Gimmick?
When I first saw the JBL Live Beam 3, my immediate reaction was: Why does my earbuds case need a display? But after using it, I quickly realized how convenient it actually is.
The smart touchscreen on the case lets you control music playback, adjust volume, switch between ANC, talk-through, and ambient aware modes, cycle through EQ settings, and even use Find My Buds. You can set a sleep timer for your music, toggle auto-play, and even customize the lock screen wallpaper for a personal touch.
One of the most useful features? Mirroring notifications from your phone. You can even answer calls directly from the case, which is a rare and genuinely helpful addition. The display is bright, colorful, and fairly responsive, making it easy to navigate.
However, the case itself is a bit bulkier and heavier than most flagship earbuds. That’s the tradeoff for the bigger battery and smart features. JBL also included a lanyard loop, a metal hinge for durability, and a power button to turn the display on/off. The magnets inside the case could be stronger, though—the earbuds can fall out if dropped.
Comfortable Fit and Premium Build
JBL nailed the design of the Live Beam 3 earbuds. The short stem design makes them discreet, and the soft silicone ear tips provide a secure, comfortable fit. I could wear them for hours without discomfort, and the IP55 rating means they’re resistant to dust and water—perfect for workouts.
Touch controls are well-tuned, with just the right sensitivity. You can remap them through the JBL app, and they register taps and swipes instantly. The fit test in the app helps ensure you get the best seal for optimal ANC and sound quality.
How to Set Up JBL Live Beam 3
Charge the Earbuds – Place them in the case and charge via USB-C.
Power On & Enter Pairing Mode – Open the case; if not in pairing mode, press and hold both earbuds.
Enable Bluetooth – Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and make it discoverable.
Pair with Your Device – Select “JBL Live Beam 3” from the available devices.
Install JBL Headphones App – Download it for customization and firmware updates.
Customize Settings – Adjust ANC, EQ, and touch controls via the app.
Packed with Smart Features
JBL’s companion app unlocks even more customization. Here’s what you can do:
- Fit test: Ensures a proper seal for the best sound and ANC.
- Smart Talk: Lowers volume when you start talking, so you don’t have to pause manually.
- Personal Sound Amplification: Enhances ambient sounds in Transparency Mode, great for city commutes.
- Private Call Mode: One earbud handles audio, while the other dedicates its mic for calls.
- Mic EQ settings: Adjust call quality between natural, treble boost, or bass boost.
Sound Quality: JBL’s Best Yet?
The JBL Live Beam 3 delivers the signature JBL sound, which means powerful bass right out of the box. However, I found the Studio EQ mode to be more balanced, pulling back the bass slightly for clearer mids and highs.
With LDAC support and Hi-Res certification, the detail retrieval is much better than previous JBL earbuds. The mid-bass is punchy, making rock, pop, and hip-hop tracks sound lively. Tracks like Hysteria by Muse had thick, heavy bass that felt immersive, but it never overpowered the vocals.
JBL did a great job maintaining midrange clarity—vocals sound natural and don’t get lost in the mix. I was pleasantly surprised that even when listening at higher volumes, the bass didn’t bleed into the mids, avoiding any muddy sound.
However, treble could use a bit more refinement. The highs sometimes feel thin and slightly rolled off, making classical and acoustic tracks lack the sparkle you’d expect. Still, the overall sound profile is rich, balanced, and customizable through the app.
The instrument separation and imaging are impressive, making it easy to distinguish different elements in a track. Soundstage is decent but not particularly wide, which is something JBL could improve in future models.
ANC and Transparency Mode
JBL’s True Adaptive ANC does a great job of blocking out background noise, whether you’re in an office or on a busy street. It automatically adjusts based on your surroundings, and while it’s not as strong as Bose or Sony’s flagship ANC, it’s still very effective.
The transparency mode (Ambient Aware) is one of the best I’ve tested—voices come through naturally without sounding robotic. This makes it easy to stay aware of your surroundings without removing the earbuds.
Microphone Test: Surprisingly Good Call Quality
With six microphones, including two beamforming mics, the JBL Live Beam 3 delivers clear call quality. When testing calls in a noisy environment, voices remained crisp, and background noise was minimal.
The Private Call Mode is a standout feature—it separates the mic and audio between the two earbuds, ensuring clearer conversations. You can also tweak call quality with different mic EQ settings for a more personalized experience.
Battery Life: A Flagship-Level Endurance
JBL absolutely nailed battery life on the Live Beam 3. With ANC and LDAC enabled, I got 9 hours of playback on a single charge, which beats most flagship earbuds like the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and OnePlus Buds Pro 2.
The case extends total battery life to 40 hours, and fast charging is a bonus—a 15-minute charge gives you up to 4 hours of playback. The case also supports wireless charging, making it easy to top up on the go.
Final Verdict: A Feature-Packed Powerhouse
The JBL Live Beam 3 is one of the best-sounding JBL earbuds yet, and the smart display actually adds useful functionality rather than feeling like a gimmick. The sound quality is fantastic, with punchy bass, clear mids, and highly customizable EQ settings. The call quality is excellent, and battery life outshines many competitors.
While the case is a bit bulky, and the highs could use some refinement, these are small tradeoffs considering the strong ANC, great transparency mode, and innovative features packed inside.
If you want a premium pair of earbuds that balance sound quality, smart features, and battery life, the JBL Live Beam 3 is a top-tier option.
You might like:
- OnePlus Buds 3 Review: High-End Sound, Low-End Price!
- Huawei FreeBuds SE 3 Review – Quality on a Budget!
- Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6 Pro Review: Affordable King is Back!
Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
