The JBL Live Beam 3 Wireless Stereo (TWS) headphones arrived in India last month. The company’s flagship also marked the first time he launched a headset with an integrated screen in the country. While the JBL Tour Pro 2, the first JBL TWS with an exhibition, was introduced into several international markets in 2023, did not debut in India.
But the design is not the only innovation area that these torque of headphones have witnessed. JBL has also introduced the digital audio codec support (LDAC) in its TWS line for the first time. The flagship headphones also have the cancellation of active noise (ANC), the true cancellation of adaptive noise and the space audio support. In addition, it also comes with an IP55 classification for dust resistance and splashes. The official price of JBL Live Beam 3 is RS. 24,999, but the JBL website has listed it in RS. 13,999.
Interestingly, the design has also received mixed reactions, and some call it a trick and others that find that it is functional. But that is not the only aspect where JBL has to excel. The TWS has also managed to get the attention of audiophiles with the inclusion of LDAC. So do these characteristics really use? Let’s see brass studs.
JBL Live Beam 3 Design and Characteristics: Type of one blow
- Load box weight – 72g
- Colors: Black, Blue and Silver
- Protection – IP55 (headphones)
The JBL Live Beam 3 comes with an interim factor and a curved stem. The headphones have a matt finish that looks and feels premium. The back of the stem is the only part of the headphones that has a brilliant finish around the JBL brand. The box comes with four silicone ear tips, and I could find those that fit me. The headphones are quite light at 5 g per headphones and I did not feel the weight even after a prolonged use of several hours in the section.
JBL Live Beam 3 Design
Upon reaching the case, you get a soapbox -style front case with a bright finish. However, despite that, it does not attract any digital footprint stain, to my surprise. My review unit reached the blue option, however, there are also options for black and silver. With 72 g, the case is quite heavy and will need some time to get used. It is also thicker than the conventional TWS at 30.25 mm, and will excel slightly when saved in your pocket. This is something that I am still very comfortable after three weeks of use.
The headphones come with gesture controls and you just have to touch the stem to activate the command. There are single touch controls, double touch and touch and retention, which can be configured using the complementary application. In particular, you can only choose controls in groups that include ambient sound control, volume control and reproduction control. There are no options to choose specific functions with specific actions.
When heading to the elephant in the room, the JBL Live Beam 3 comes with a 1.45 -inch touch screen. The screen has several headphones configurations, such as reproduction controls, volume configuration, ANC, space sound, equalizer and more. The sliding gesture is not very sensitive to touch, and sometimes a couple of attempts are needed to get where you want. This can be slightly frustrating since all configuration options are organized in a horizontal displacement view.
Now, the configuration options you get on the screen are the same as you get within the complementary application, so there is a case to double the characteristics instead of offering a unique use case. However, in my experience, the screen is quite useful. The most common use for me was to use the case to play with equalizer and ANC since I had another open application on my smartphone. I kept those beautiful blows to come and go between the two applications.
But it goes far beyond that. I have the habit of connecting my TWS with my smart TV when I am watching a show late at night. The case allowed me to use the equalizer and space audio without worrying. Even when combined with my laptop of work, I never had to worry about installing the Portable JBL application for PC to use the full range of functions, which could have required that I first get the administrator permit. In summary, if you are someone who prefers a remote control for your headphones who is not connected to any other device, you will find it useful in the long term. It is definitely not a party trick for me.
JBL Live Beam 3: Application and specifications
- Driver: 10 mm dynamic controllers
- Complementary application – JBL headphones
- Gesture controls – Yes
The JBL Live Beam 3 headphones are compatible with the application of JBL headphones on both Android and in smartphones iOS. It is the main center for all customization configurations of the sound mode. After combining the TWS, you will see the percentage of individual headphones battery, as well as the smart load box. Below, there are three sections: general, audio and others.
JBL headphones application
The general section contains an environmental sound control that allows you to activate and change between ANC, Ambient Consudi (transparency mode) and the ways of speaking. Talk Thru mode is an improved transparency mode that can detect when the user speaks and automatically pauses any means of media reproduction. You will also find the Personalization Configuration option for the load case screen. This allows you to change the wallpapers, select the feature shortcuts to show and even change the brightness.
A couple of interesting features are to verify my best adjustment and smart talk. The first verifies any audio filtration and suggests in case the user needs a different silicone tip for a better auditory experience. The latter is part of the talk characteristic that allows you to establish the sensitivity of speech detection. The options are five seconds, 15 seconds and 20 seconds. The user will have to speak that many seconds continuously so that the mode is activated. In addition, this section also allows you to choose the gestures for the headphones.
The audio section presents the high -resolution audio mode that essentially turns on the LDAC support, the equalizer, the space audio modes and the person. The latter is an intelligent feature that performs a complete sound profile test to find its optimal hearing levels and adjust the sound output to match that. In my experience, the bass and the media felt stronger after turning on this function.
In addition to this, you will also find options for the left and right sound balance, a maximum volume limiter and a private call mode that allows you to remove a headset and use it as a microphone. Finally, the other section has options to find headphones, energy saving mode and allows you to reproduce relaxing sounds.
Upon reaching the specifications, the Live Beam 3 JBL presents 10 mm dynamic controllers, comes with JBL space sound technology and admits Codecs AAC, SBC and LDAC. The headphones admit Bluetooth 5.3, while the load case admits Bluetooth 5.1. It is also compatible with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and has an IP55 classification for dust resistance and splashes. Each headset is backed by a 68 mAh battery, while the load box has a 680 mAh battery.
JBL Live Beam 3: Performance and battery life
- AUDIO CODES – AAC, SBC and LDAC
- Connectivity – Bluetooth 5.3 (headphones); Bluetooth 5.1 (load case)
- Battery – 68 mAh (headphones); 680MAH (load case)
The JBL Live Beam 3 comes with three ANC modes. In my experience, noise reduction is above average, but it is not the best. If you are indoors, you can close the sound of the air conditioning, the ceiling fan or the TV in the next room for most a little doubtful. The headphones will block most of the noises of strong vehicles and the sound of people in the vicinity, but still hear some noise with straw. If you are looking for more powerful ANC headphones, you can search the Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless (review).
JBL Live Beam 3 headphones design
Upon reaching sound quality, it is difficult not to be impressed with what JBL Live Beam offers 3. Harman’s adjustment is evident and, as most JBL products, leaning down. Whether he was listening to blunt rhythms in Kendrick Lamar, he is not like us or enjoying the guitar by shaking at the California hotel for the Eagles, the auditory experience was sublime. I also explored vocal voice songs like Bust Your Windows by Jazmine Sullivan E Houdini by Eminem. While I would have preferred the highest releases to leave a little more, there was not much to complain.
However, this was the performance on the transmission of standard music in Spotify and YouTube Music. I also explored the LDAC codec with tidal losses and experience is really remarkable. A good example are the pools (drinks) of Kendrick Lamar. You can listen to the separation of the instrument between the minimums and the ups and downs, as well as the iconic voice of the voice between the ears that allows you to feel the entire sound scenario.
But, I would add that despite the impressive performance, these are TWS at the end and they will not be able to match the capacities of a cable headset in the same price segment. But if you are not a serious audiophile, this does not apply to you anyway.
I am generally not a fan of microphone quality on TWS. The voice often sounds artificial and there is always fear that environmental noises be collected on their voice. JBL comes with a party trick where it allows you to use one of the headphones as a microphone (essentially the audio outlet stops in that headset) disconnecting it from the ear and holding it in front of its face. That works, but the performance is not worth writing at home. In the interior configuration, it will be audible when it is in a call or in a meeting, but the performance is poor in the outdoor configuration.
Finally, I found that JBL Live Beam 3 battery performance is impressive. The company claims 12 hours of reproduction time with ANC and 10 hours with Anc On. In my experience, I could constantly get between seven and eight hours of play with ANC and more than nine hours without Anc. The sound level constantly remained between 50 and 60 percent. The load time from zero to 100 in the case takes approximately two hours. In particular, the load case also admits fast charging and wireless load.
JBL BEAM LIVE 3: VERDICT
After using the Live Beam 3 JBL for almost a month, I think the unique sales proposal (USP) of the device is the options. For the price of RS. 14,999, is not obtaining the most powerful ANC in the market or the most balanced audio profile.
JBL BEAM LIVE 3
However, what you get is versatility. With the load box screen, you can use and customize the audio experience of the headphones, even when it reaches the mobile application it could be difficult. You can also optimize it for space audio, FI personal audio, or configure it for the LDAC codec. You can also use the six presets of the equalizer to find the optimal audio zone or create your own.
JBL has thrown everything at the headphones of the kitchen. What you have done is to create a versatile device that allows a large subset of consumers to create your own way of customizing the audio experience and the use of the device.
However, if you are someone who has a strong preference for the ANC, the sound profile or the thickness of the load case, this may not be the best option for you.
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