Wireless Earbuds
Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4
8.5/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$179.95at Amazon
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JBL
JBL Live Beam 3
JBL Live Beam 3 true wireless noise-cancelling stick-closed earbuds
noise cancelling & sound
7.5/ 10
ANCNoise cancelling7.5
0.010.0
At 7.5, its noise cancelling beats 31% of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 94 of the 267 we've cataloged.
4.9/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall4.9
1.05.0
A 4.9 puts its audio quality in the top quarter of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 63 of the 267 we've cataloged.
See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Noise cancelling · Audio quality
Key specs
Battery Life Earbuds
8.23 hAbove average8.23 h
3 h15 h
above average for wireless earbuds — based on 249 of 267 we've cataloged.
Battery Life With Case
48 hAbove average48 h
7 h60 h
above average for wireless earbuds — based on 247 of 267 we've cataloged.
IP Rating
IP55IPX436%IP5516%IP5415%IPX511%
IP55 appears on 16% of the 245 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 267).
Noise Cancellation Type
ActiveMost commonActive62%Passive14%Hybrid9%None8%
Active is the most common — on 62% of the 182 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 267).
Battery
- Battery Life Earbuds
- 8.23 h
- Battery Life With Case
- 48 h
- Charging Method
- USB-C, wireless
- Full Charge Minutes
- 10 min
- Battery Life Anc On
- 10 h
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Build
- IP Rating
- IP55
- Sweat Resistance
- Yes
- Water Resistance
- Yes
Sound
- Noise Cancellation Type
- Active
- Ambient Levels
- Variable
- Ambient Mode
- Yes
- Anc Modes
- Off, ANC on, transparency
- Driver Count
- 1
- Driver Size
- 10 mm
- Driver Type
- Dynamic
- Frequency Response
- 20-40000 Hz
- Frequency Response High Hz
- 40000 Hz
- Frequency Response Low Hz
- 20 Hz
- Adaptive Anc
- Yes
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 98 dB/mW
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Version
- 5.3
- Bluetooth Codec
- SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth
- Headphone Jack
- No
- Multipoint Devices
- Yes - 2 devices
Design
- Earbud Form Factor
- In-ear
- Color Options
- Black, blue, purple, silver
- Ear Tip Material
- Silicone
- Ear Tip Sizes Included
- S, M, L, and 3 additional sizes
- Wearing Time Max
- 10 h
- Weight Per Earbud
- 5 g
Features
- Companion App
- Yes
- Control Type
- Touch controls
- Eq Customization
- Yes
- Find My Device
- Yes
- Auto Pause
- Yes
- Mono Mode
- Yes
- Spatial Audio
- Yes
- Voice Assistant Support
- Voice assistant
Microphone
- Count
- 6
- Wind Noise Reduction
- Yes
- Mute Function
- Touch
- Noise Reduction Type
- Active
- Type
- Multiple microphones
Release
- Date
- January 8, 2024
- Msrp Usd
- 229.95 USD
- Year
- 2024
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
JBL Live Beam 3SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 9.9 |
| 25 | 10.1 |
| 32 | 10.0 |
| 40 | 9.7 |
| 50 | 9.1 |
| 63 | 8.3 |
| 80 | 6.8 |
| 100 | 4.3 |
| 125 | 1.6 |
| 160 | -0.6 |
| 200 | -2.1 |
| 250 | -3.2 |
| 315 | -4.0 |
| 400 | -4.2 |
| 500 | -2.1 |
| 630 | 0.0 |
| 800 | 0.1 |
| 1000 | 0.0 |
| 1250 | 0.9 |
| 1600 | 3.0 |
| 2000 | 4.8 |
| 2500 | 7.7 |
| 3150 | 10.2 |
| 4000 | 9.8 |
| 5000 | 8.3 |
| 6300 | 7.6 |
| 8000 | 4.7 |
| 10000 | -3.4 |
| 12500 | 2.5 |
| 16000 | -1.3 |
| 20000 | -17.4 |
JBL Live Beam 3
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 0.3 |
| 26 | 3.0 |
| 33 | 1.2 |
| 41 | 1.6 |
| 52 | 1.3 |
| 65 | 1.9 |
| 82 | 2.2 |
| 103 | 2.7 |
| 130 | 3.0 |
| 163 | 3.4 |
| 205 | 4.8 |
| 259 | 5.9 |
| 325 | 4.2 |
| 410 | 8.3 |
| 516 | 6.8 |
| 613 | 7.3 |
| 772 | 11.3 |
| 972 | 13.0 |
| 1220 | 13.7 |
| 1540 | 15.9 |
| 1940 | 19.2 |
| 2440 | 22.0 |
| 3070 | 25.0 |
| 3870 | 23.1 |
| 4870 | 21.1 |
| 6130 | 22.6 |
| 7720 | 32.1 |
| 9720 | 23.9 |
| 12200 | 21.1 |
| 15400 | 21.8 |
| 19400 | 29.9 |
JBL Live Beam 3
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -4.9 |
| 26 | -3.8 |
| 33 | 14.1 |
| 41 | 18.6 |
| 52 | 20.1 |
| 65 | 26.5 |
| 82 | 27.6 |
| 103 | 27.4 |
| 130 | 24.2 |
| 163 | 21.2 |
| 205 | 17.8 |
| 259 | 13.2 |
| 325 | 6.2 |
| 410 | 11.4 |
| 516 | 10.5 |
| 613 | 10.0 |
| 772 | 14.7 |
| 972 | 17.1 |
| 1220 | 18.5 |
| 1540 | 23.3 |
| 1940 | 25.4 |
| 2440 | 26.6 |
| 3070 | 27.9 |
| 3870 | 24.6 |
| 4870 | 24.0 |
| 6130 | 23.0 |
| 7720 | 33.6 |
| 9720 | 24.2 |
| 12200 | 19.2 |
| 15400 | 15.2 |
| 19400 | 27.5 |
JBL Live Beam 3
5.0
2.8
4.4
4.9
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
SoundGuys review
Read the full review ›Noise cancelling7.5
Isolation5.7
Battery life7.1
Comfort & fit8.8
Connectivity8.0
Design8.0
The verdict
If you want to get earbuds with all of the latest features and a few unique ones, the JBL Live Beam 3 are it.
✓What we like
✓Sound quality
✓Features
✓Comfort
✓Smart case
✓LDAC
✕What could be better
✕Somewhat weak ANC
✕Short nozzles can mean poor fit
Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
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Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterThe JBL Xtreme 4 does one thing the newer Xtreme 5 can’tThere’s still one very good reason I’d buy the older Xtreme 4, and it’s not the lower price.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterI built my own Dolby Atmos speaker system, but I still prefer headphones for musicInvesting in Dolby Atmos wasn't a waste, but listening through headphones is more than a gimmick.
Brady SnyderContributorWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.
Tom TriggsContributorDon't buy the JBL Charge 6. Buy these three speakers insteadThe JBL Charge 6 is a solid speaker, but these three alternatives may be worth buying instead.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterBest Bluetooth speakers to buy instead of JBLJBL speakers are popular, but they’re not your only option.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterHow long should your earbuds last? Our battery tests have the answerEarbuds don't last long, but how much is enough?
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterThe JBL Xtreme 4 does one thing the newer Xtreme 5 can’tThere’s still one very good reason I’d buy the older Xtreme 4, and it’s not the lower price.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterI built my own Dolby Atmos speaker system, but I still prefer headphones for musicInvesting in Dolby Atmos wasn't a waste, but listening through headphones is more than a gimmick.Brady SnyderContributorWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorDon't buy the JBL Charge 6. Buy these three speakers insteadThe JBL Charge 6 is a solid speaker, but these three alternatives may be worth buying instead.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterBest Bluetooth speakers to buy instead of JBLJBL speakers are popular, but they’re not your only option.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterHow long should your earbuds last? Our battery tests have the answerEarbuds don't last long, but how much is enough?Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeMore Wireless Earbuds
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