Hands-on review: JBL Live Flex 3 TWS in ear headphones

The JBL Live Flex 3 headphones promise an impressive audio experience with a range of features to enhance user experience, but does it live up to the hype? I recently had the pleasure (and occasional frustration) of testing these out. They're indeed packed with features, some of which are fantastic, while others... well, let's just say they left me wanting a bit more.

The sound quality of these headphones is fantastic, considering the price. I was genuinely impressed by the rich, balanced sound. The bass was punchy without being overwhelming, and the highs were crisp and clear. Whether listening to metal, indie, or folk, everything sounded like I was in front of the stage.

The Live Flex 3 also comes with a great suite of extended settings to tweak your listening experience. I particularly liked the the Personi-Fi setting. This feature thoroughly tests your hearing and then adjusts the sound profile to suit you.

And then there's the case. This isn't just any ordinary case; nope, it's almost like a mini smartwatch. Some might argue its a bit over designed but I liked it! You can upload a custom lock screen and monitor individual headphone battery life, among other things. It's a fun (and sometimes silly) addition that I found surprisingly useful.

Now, let's get to the not so great parts. Comfort. Or, should I say, the lack thereof. These headphones are not designed for extended listening sessions. After a few hours, my ears started to protest. The shape just doesn't lend itself to all-day use, which is a bummer because if sound quality was the only qualifier, these would be my daily go-to.

Another gripe: the touch and gesture-based controls. In theory, they sound super modern and convenient, but in practice? Not so much. I lost track of how many times I accidentally played my audiobook or turned off noise canceling while adjusting or removing the headphones. I might be a bit old shool here, but I just want buttons, is that too much to ask?

Speaking of noise canceling, these headphones don't quite hit the mark. Sure, they dull some background noise, but they're not going to drown out a crying baby on a flight. It's a bit disappointing considering this is supposedly one of the main selling points of these. I tuned and fiddled with settings for hours, and still, the best I accomplished was a mild drowning of noise, whereas my Jabra's could drown out a fire alarm. Plus, there's some noise leakage, so if you're listening to a book or music next to your partner as they're trying to sleep, they won't appreciate it.

Specs in a nutshell: 

• Battery life: 10 Hours (With a big asterisk) 
• Microphone: 6 mics at 38 dBV/Pa@1 kHz (It's decent)
• Audio: 12mm dynamic drivers + JBL Spatial Sound

My final opinion on the Live Flex 3 is a mixed bag. If sound quality is your top priority, these are a solid choice at this price point. They deliver excellent audio performance and some pretty neat features. But if you're looking for all-day comfort and flawless usability, you might want to keep shopping. They're good, but they're not perfect.