True wireless earbuds have become as essential as our phones, transforming from luxury items to daily necessities. Let's compare two popular options - the Beats Studio Buds Plus ($129.99) and the JBL Live Beam 3 ($179.99) - to help you make an informed choice.
Before diving into specifics, let's understand what matters in modern earbuds. The technology has evolved significantly since the first AirPods launched in 2016. Today's wireless earbuds pack impressive features into tiny packages: active noise cancellation (which uses microphones to detect and cancel out external sounds), spatial audio (creating a 3D sound experience), and smart features like automatic device switching.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus hit the market in mid-2023, bringing noticeable improvements over their predecessor. They feature a custom dual-layer driver design that delivers clean, balanced audio. In testing, they show particular strength in vocal clarity and mid-range frequencies - think acoustic guitars and piano notes. The bass is present but not overwhelming, which might surprise those expecting the traditional Beats bass-heavy signature.
In contrast, the newer JBL Live Beam 3, released in early 2024, brings JBL's latest audio technology to the table. Their 10mm drivers (the tiny speakers inside each earbud) support Hi-Res Audio, which means they can reproduce higher quality sound than standard Bluetooth audio. The sound signature is more dynamic, with deeper bass and crisper highs. For movie watching, this fuller range really brings action scenes to life.
Battery life has become increasingly important as we rely more on our wireless devices. The Beats offer 6 hours of listening with noise cancellation enabled, and the case provides an additional 18 hours. This is decent but not class-leading.
The JBL Live Beam 3 pushes ahead with 12 hours per charge and an impressive 36 additional hours from the case. Both support fast charging, but JBL adds wireless charging support - a convenient feature when you're already juggling multiple charging cables.
Here's where we see the biggest differences between these models. The Beats take a straightforward approach with reliable touch controls and voice assistant support. They handle the basics well: play/pause, skip tracks, and activate noise cancellation.
The JBL brings more innovative features to the table. The charging case includes a touchscreen display - something we haven't seen often in earbuds. This allows you to adjust settings without using your phone, which is particularly useful when switching between devices or adjusting noise cancellation levels.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) has become a must-have feature, but not all implementations are equal. The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer decent noise cancellation that handles constant background noise like airplane engines or air conditioners reasonably well. However, it struggles somewhat with irregular noises like office chatter.
The JBL Live Beam 3 implements what they call "True Adaptive Noise Cancelling," which actively adjusts to your environment. In testing, it proves more effective at blocking both constant and variable noise sources. For home theater use, this superior noise cancellation helps create a more immersive viewing experience by better isolating you from household sounds.
Both models approach fit differently. The Beats are more compact, sitting nearly flush with your ears. They include four sizes of ear tips (XS, S, M, L), which helps achieve a secure fit for most ear shapes.
The JBL adopts a stem design similar to AirPods Pro, which some find helps with stability during movement. They come with three tip sizes and feel secure during exercise, though the stems make them slightly more noticeable when worn.
When considering value, we need to look beyond the $50 price difference. The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer solid performance at a more accessible price point. They're an excellent choice for users who prioritize straightforward functionality and good sound quality.
The JBL Live Beam 3 justify their higher price through superior battery life, better noise cancellation, and additional features like the touchscreen case. For movie watchers, gamers, or anyone spending long hours with their earbuds, these advantages could well be worth the extra investment.
Consider your primary use cases:
For home theater enthusiasts:
For commuters and office workers:
For budget-conscious buyers:
For feature enthusiasts:
Both the Beats Studio Buds Plus and JBL Live Beam 3 represent solid choices in today's wireless earbud market. The Beats excel at providing core features at a competitive price, while the JBL push technology forward with innovative features and superior performance.
For most users, the decision will come down to how much they value the extra features and performance improvements the JBL offers versus the more budget-friendly approach of the Beats. Either way, both represent significant improvements over their predecessors and demonstrate how quickly wireless earbud technology continues to evolve.
| Beats Studio Buds Plus ($129.99) | JBL Live Beam 3 ($179.99) |
|---|---|
| Battery Life - Critical for daily use without frequent charging | |
| 6 hours (buds) + 18 hours (case) | 12 hours (buds) + 36 hours (case) |
| Active Noise Cancellation - Important for commuting and office work | |
| Basic ANC, struggles with variable noise | Advanced Adaptive ANC, superior performance |
| Water/Dust Rating - Matters for durability and workout use | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IP55 (water/dust resistant) |
| Driver Size - Impacts sound quality and bass response | |
| Custom dual-layer driver | 10mm dynamic driver |
| Smart Features - Convenience for daily operation | |
| Basic touch controls, voice assistant | Touchscreen case, EQ control, spatial audio |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects connection stability and range | |
| 5.3 | 5.3 with LE Audio support |
| Charging Options - Flexibility in charging methods | |
| USB-C only | USB-C and Qi wireless charging |
| Ear Tip Sizes - Critical for comfort and noise isolation | |
| 4 sizes (XS, S, M, L) | 3 sizes (S, M, L) |
| Multi-Device Support - Important for switching between devices | |
| Basic multi-point connection | Advanced multi-point with smart switching |
The JBL Live Beam 3 ($179.99) offers superior performance for movie watching due to its better spatial audio, longer battery life, and more effective noise cancellation. While the Beats Studio Buds Plus ($129.99) work fine for movies, they lack the immersive sound stage and deep bass response that make the JBL ideal for home theater use.
Yes, the Beats Studio Buds Plus offer good value at $129.99, providing solid sound quality and basic features. They're an excellent choice for users who want reliable performance without premium features.
Yes, the JBL Live Beam 3 work excellently with Netflix, especially supporting spatial audio content. The longer battery life also means you can binge-watch without frequent charging.
The JBL Live Beam 3 features significantly better noise cancellation with its True Adaptive ANC technology. The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer basic ANC that works adequately but isn't as effective at blocking variable sounds.
Both models work with Bluetooth-enabled TVs, but the JBL Live Beam 3 offers better connectivity with its advanced Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio support, resulting in lower latency and better synchronization for video content.
The JBL Live Beam 3 significantly outperforms with 12 hours per charge plus 36 hours from the case, compared to the Beats Studio Buds Plus offering 6 hours plus 18 hours from the case.
For gaming, the JBL Live Beam 3 is the better choice due to its lower latency and better spatial audio support. The Beats Studio Buds Plus work but may have slightly more audio delay.
Both are comfortable, but the Beats Studio Buds Plus offer more fit options with four ear tip sizes compared to three from the JBL Live Beam 3. However, comfort is highly personal.
Both models provide excellent isolation for late-night viewing. The JBL Live Beam 3 edges out with better noise isolation, while the Beats Studio Buds Plus still perform adequately.
The JBL Live Beam 3 provides clearer dialogue reproduction with better frequency separation. The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer good vocal clarity but can't match the JBL's overall audio performance.
The JBL Live Beam 3 offers more advanced spatial audio processing for a more immersive surround experience. The Beats Studio Buds Plus support basic spatial audio but with less sophisticated processing.
Both represent significant upgrades from previous generations. The JBL Live Beam 3 offers more substantial improvements with its touchscreen case and advanced features, while the Beats Studio Buds Plus provides modest but meaningful improvements in sound and ANC performance.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: techradar.com - soundguys.com - t3.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - cdw.com - beatsbydre.com - target.com - beatsbydre.com - marketplace.uvation.com - abt.com - beatsbydre.com - beatsbydre.com - audio46.com - target.com - walmart.com - crutchfield.com - whathifi.com - in.jbl.com - rcwilley.com - youtube.com - jbl.com - soundguys.com - jbl.com - store.utah.edu
