JBL Live 3 review – Bang for your buck outstanding sound and noise cancelling

JBL’s latest in-ear headphone range is topped by the Live 3 series of headphones which are designed to feature a model to fit anyone, and with top quality sound, noise-cancelling and a smart case like no other.

Continuing JBL’s commitment to making an in-ear headphone purchasing a breeze, the new Live 3 series headphones come in three versions, the Flex, Beam and Buds. Buds are great for people who don’t want that “stalk” coming out of their ear. Beak are great for those who want the stalk, plus the in ear silicon tip, and the Flex are a similar look with the stalk but no silicon tip – very similar to the original AirPods design.

Those options mean everyone can have confidence in their headphone choice, before they open the packaging. Given you can’t “try on” headphones, this is a critical part of the buying experience.

Having tried these out, I would suggest the only group or user sector that’s left out of those three choices are those who are ultra-active, and need the hoop over the ear to really secure the in-ear headphone when on the go.

Smart Case on the JBL Live 3

Coming down from the JBL Tour series headphones this Smart Screen is a gimmick to some, innovative for sure, and useful for many.

In many ways this is the same case you’d normally expect, charging your headphones and keeping them safe and ready for your next use.

But when you want them, throw them in your ears and that case normally just goes back in your pocket.

With the JBL Live 3 series headphones, that case is far more useful. Out for a walk, I didn’t use it. Mowing the lawns, I didn’t use it.

Sitting on a plane, it was all I used. Put the phone away, and when I wanted to move to a different level of noise cancelling, just tap the case and change that setting.

Flick through tracks, a whole lot easier to tap the screen than tap twice on the earbud. Now, for one track forward tap the earphones – no drama. But you know when you’re kinda searching through a playlist – that’s when the case comes in.

This may be an overwhelming gallery, but check out all the things you can do on your Smart Case screen!

Frankly, just seeing the battery level when I open them up for the moment of using them is a huge deal.

Given the price of $249 (But you’ll find them at $199 regularly It seems) – even if you think it’s a gimmick – ignore it. But many will find decent use for the case – even if it’s a now and then thing.

Sound Quality of the JBL Live 3

Man, JBL just keeps knocking it out of the park. I’ve been a massive fan of the Live series for several years. The sound you get for the price is amazing.

I know you can’t test these before buying them. Trust me, you’ll never return these because they don’t sound good.

The sound is solid at all levels – crisp and clear, but Bass powered if you want it. There’s a real clarity across the range and sound spectrum.

While I love Farnham, I do listen to a vast variety of music, and these outperform their price category, and challenge at every level headphones that cost twice the price.

You’d have to push up to Sennheiser or B&W at more than double the price to get a similar or maybe better audio quality.

The Live 3 headphones are typical JBL sound stage, no matter your volume.

No matter your sound preference, you’ll find a suitable EQ setting here – something you can do on the Smart Case screen or in the JBL Headphone app.

Noise Cancelling quality from JBL

Active Noise Cancelling is another area the Live series have excelled at. In the “series” of JBL Live 3 there’s no doubt the Buds and Beam would offer the best level of noise cancelling, thanks to the passive noise cancelling of the additional silicon tip on the end.

So my tests were done using the JBL Live Beam 3 – I travelled to the US and back wearing these on the plane.

Outstanding performance.

I think again – pay double, and you’ll get a better Noise Cancelling. AirPods Pro, Perhaps Sony, but let’s be real – if we’re talking about a scale of 0-100 for Noise Cancelling, if the AirPods are at 90, these JBL’s are at 80 or more. Nothing else at or around the $200 price point comes near a 70 on that scale, perhaps even 60. You will not be disappointed.

Zero regrets about these as a choice for travelling, and I will make these my primary airline headphones all the way!

The JBL App for managing your headphones.

I think this might be the one area that JBL is most under-rated. The JBL Headphone app is utterly incredible.

Just so many features. The general settings allow you to ensure you have the right silicon tip size on them as well as customising your tap gesture controls on each bud.

Audio settings include preset Equalisers, an Adaptive EQ, Spatial Sound settings, Personalised settings, balance and a maximum volume limiter. I can’t recall another brand with so many features.

The Smart Case can be customised too. Change the brightness, wallpaper and notification settings all within the JBL App.

Honestly, if you’ve got JBL headphones, for crying out loud get the JBL app.

Overall – how good are the JBL Live 3 headphones?

These are outstanding.

$249 – sold.

$199 – get a pair for your partner.

Your biggest decision is to pick the Flex, Beam or Buds.

Bang for your buck, these are hard to beat.

Web: JBL