True Wireless
JBL Live Beam 3
72Good
$200
Full review dataJBL Live Beam 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM5 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM5 - Outstanding overall at around $249.
True Wireless
Sony WF-1000XM5
88Outstanding
$249
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
JBL Live Beam 3
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery8.0
Calls6.5
Value7.5
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | JBL Live Beam 3 | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $200 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2024 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 10 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20-40000 Hz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 12 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 9 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 48 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | 120 min | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 4 h | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant, Siri | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | 82 g | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IP55 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | 6 |
What reviewers said
JBL Live Beam 3
The JBL Live Beam 3 are true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive noise cancellation with a robust feature set, including LDAC support and multi-device connectivity. They offer a long-lasting battery, with up to 12 hours on a single charge, and are built to handle light splashes and dust thanks to their IP55 rating. Their 10mm dynamic drivers deliver a lively sound profile, while the companion app provides extensive customization options for tuning the audio to your liking.
- Pro:Adaptive ANC effectively reduces ambient noise
- Pro:Excellent battery life, especially with the charging case
- Pro:Supports high-resolution LDAC audio and multipoint pairing
- Con:Sound signature may be too bass-forward for purists
- Con:Charging case is somewhat bulky compared to rivals
- Con:Touch controls can be accidentally triggered
Sony WF-1000XM5
These are high-end true wireless earbuds that focus on adaptive noise cancellation and detailed audio, supporting LDAC for high-resolution streaming. They offer a solid battery life of up to 12 hours without ANC, plus a comfortable fit and IPX4 sweat resistance for daily use. The touch controls and companion app add convenience, though the price reflects their premium status.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Long battery life (12 hours without ANC)
- Pro:Supports LDAC and AAC codecs
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:No higher water resistance rating than IPX4
- Con:Touch controls may take time to master
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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