Both the JBL Live Beam 3 and the Tour Pro 3 come with advanced JBL features and signature sound performance, but differ in certain respects. The JBL Tour Pro 3 features a unique Smart Charging Case with a 1.57-inch touchscreen, allowing for on-the-go control of playback, volume, and sound modes without needing your phone. This case also functions as a Bluetooth wireless audio transmitter, enabling connections to devices without native Bluetooth support, such as older TVs or airplane entertainment systems. Additionally, the Tour Pro 3 supports Auracast, facilitating audio sharing between compatible devices.
On the other hand, the JBL Live Beam 3 emphasizes spatial audio capabilities delivering an immersive listening experience, and features a sleek, ergonomic design for extended comfort. While both models provide effective noise cancellation, the Tour Pro 3’s additional functionalities, like the smart case and Auracast support, offer enhanced versatility for users seeking a more connected experience.
Specs Comparison
The JBL Live Beam 3 gives you full control over playback and settings through a 1.45-inch touchscreen on the case, which is great for convenience when you’re not near your phone. The Tour Pro 3 takes that even further with a larger 1.57-inch screen and a few extra tricks—it can actually act as a wireless dongle to transmit audio from a TV or treadmill using AUX or USB-C, which adds a lot of flexibility for travel or gym use. Both support adaptive noise cancelling and multi-point connection, but the Tour Pro 3 includes a hybrid dual-driver system in each earbud (a dynamic driver for bass and a balanced armature for treble), while the Live Beam 3 uses a single 10mm dynamic driver. That difference alone makes the Tour Pro 3 feel a little more refined in terms of sound architecture, especially for listeners who want a bit more detail in the highs and mids.
Battery life is slightly better on the JBL Live Beam 3, offering up to 12 hours in the earbuds and 36 more from the case, while the Tour Pro 3 offers 10 plus 30. Both are IP55 rated for water and dust resistance, so they’re equally built for active use. When it comes to sound, the Live Beam 3 delivers strong bass and clear vocals, but the Tour Pro 3 has more depth and detail, thanks to the dual-driver setup and support for LDAC. I also found that the Tour Pro 3’s smart case has a bit more functionality, especially with the ability to share audio to other devices using Auracast. Personally, I think if you care about audio quality and want that extra layer of control and connectivity, the Tour Pro 3 edges ahead. But if you want something slightly more streamlined with a bit more battery life and a great core experience, the Live Beam 3 still delivers.
Table Comparison
| Specification | JBL Live Beam 3 | JBL Tour Pro 3 |
| Driver Configuration | 10mm Dynamic Driver | Hybrid Dual-Driver (10.2mm Dynamic + Balanced Armature) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 40kHz | 20Hz – 40kHz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB SPL @ 1 kHz | 103 dB SPL @ 1 kHz |
| Maximum SPL | 96 dB | 97 dB |
| Microphone Sensitivity | -38 dBV/Pa @ 1 kHz | -38 dBV/Pa @ 1 kHz |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 (Earbuds), 5.1 (Case) | 5.3 (Earbuds), 5.1 (Case) |
| Battery Life (Earbuds) | Up to 12 hours | Up to 10 hours (ANC off) |
| Battery Life (Total with Case) | Up to 48 hours | Up to 40 hours (ANC off) |
| Fast Charging | 10 minutes for 4 hours playback | 10 minutes for 4 hours playback |
| Charging Interface | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Noise Cancellation | Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation | Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation |
| Ambient Sound Mode | Yes (Ambient Aware & TalkThru) | Yes (Ambient Aware & TalkThru) |
| Water & Dust Resistance | IP55 | IP55 |
| Smart Charging Case | 1.45-inch Touchscreen Display | 1.57-inch Touchscreen Display; Functions as an Audio Transmitter (AUX/USB-C) |
| Auracast Support | No | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes, with Head Tracking |
| Weight (Earbuds) | Approximately 5g per earbud | 5.6g per earbud |
| Dimensions (Earbuds) | Not specified | 30 x 25 x 18 mm |
| Dimensions (Case) | Not specified | 30 x 61 x 57 mm |
| Audio Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multi-Point Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistant Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Companion App | JBL Headphones App | JBL Headphones App |
Sound Comparison
The sound performance between the JBL Live Beam 3 and the Tour Pro 3 was more different than I expected, even though both deliver JBL’s signature sound. The Live Beam 3 uses a single 10mm dynamic driver, which gave me a bass-forward and warm listening experience. When I played “Snooze” by SZA, the low-end was full and gave the track a soft cushion beneath her vocals. The mids came through with some richness, though I felt the highs were dialed back a little, especially in more detailed moments like string flourishes. It’s a sound profile that felt comfortable—nothing too sharp or fatiguing. I switched to “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee, and the Live Beam 3 handled the vocals smoothly while keeping the beat lively. Overall, the experience was clean and satisfying but leaned more toward casual listening than critical detail.
The Tour Pro 3, on the other hand, gave me a more layered feel right away. These earbuds use a hybrid dual-driver setup—a 10.2mm dynamic driver paired with a balanced armature—which created a wider soundstage and more clarity in complex arrangements. With “Karma Police” by Radiohead, I immediately noticed more air in the mix and a clearer separation between vocals, guitar, and synth textures. The bass was still present but didn’t dominate, and the highs had a crispness that the Live Beam 3 didn’t quite capture. Listening to “Love Again” by Dua Lipa, the beat had weight without bloating the low end, and her voice sat perfectly in the mix without being pushed too far forward. It felt more dynamic, especially at higher volumes where the dual-driver design really started to shine. The Tour Pro 3 felt more tuned for balance and nuance.
Design
The JBL Live Beam 3 have a sleek stem design that feels light in the ear and sits securely without much adjustment. They’re IP55 rated, so I didn’t worry about a bit of sweat or walking through light rain. The build feels good for daily use, though the plastic casing leans more toward functional than premium. The 1.45-inch touchscreen on the case gave me quick access to controls like ANC and playback without needing to take out my phone, and it responded well to swipes and taps. I liked how the design stayed true to a more minimalist look but added some visual interest with subtle metallic accents. Wearing them over long sessions was comfortable enough, although I did feel a bit of ear pressure after about two hours.
The Tour Pro 3 felt a little more polished from the moment I opened the case. The earbuds are a bit heavier than the Live Beam 3, but the weight worked in their favor because they felt solid without being bulky. The stem is shorter and more refined, and the matte finish gave it a premium touch. The case is larger due to the 1.57-inch touchscreen, but in return, I could control not only basic functions like ANC and EQ but also connect to non-Bluetooth devices using the AUX or USB-C ports—something I found genuinely useful on a flight. Like the Live Beam 3, these are also IP55 rated, so they’re just as ready for outdoor or gym use. The comfort level was slightly better for me with the Tour Pro 3. I wore them for a full work session and didn’t feel the need to take them off or adjust them once. Between the two, I think the Live Beam 3 offers a more compact design with decent comfort, but the Tour Pro 3 gives a more premium build with extra functionality that I actually used.
The Verdict?
On the whole, the JBL Live Beam 3 gave me solid battery life (up to 48 hours total), a strong bass-forward sound with good vocal clarity, and a touchscreen case that’s practical if you want easy access to your settings without reaching for your phone. Its 10mm dynamic driver delivered warm, energetic audio that felt great for pop, hip-hop and casual listening. The earbuds were light and comfortable, and the IP55 rating gave me confidence using them outside or at the gym. I liked that the design was compact and familiar, and the sound signature leaned toward a more relaxed and enjoyable tone.
That said, personally, I would go with the JBL Tour Pro 3 earbuds. The sound was more refined and detailed, thanks to the hybrid dual-driver setup which gave me clearer mids and a wider soundstage. The case added more than just convenience—it let me connect to AUX and USB-C sources like airplane screens and older devices, which felt genuinely useful rather than just a novelty. The case touchscreen is also a bit larger and gave me more control. I think the Tour Pro 3 is better overall if you’re looking for higher-end sound, a broader range of use cases and something that feels a little more future-proof. The Live Beam 3 is still a great choice if you want something that’s sleek, straightforward and bass-friendly, but for everything the Tour Pro 3 can do, I think it offers the better experience overall.