JBL has launched the Live Beam 4, a refined pair of true wireless earbuds featuring a high-tech touchscreen case, improved sound quality, and longer battery life, targeting users seeking a blend of high fidelity and intuitive control.
JBL’s Live Beam 4 arrive as a refined take on the company’s screen-equipped earbuds, with the clearest gains coming in sound, design and the charging case. The model keeps the range’s unusual touchscreen case but adds higher-spec drivers, improved noise cancellation and better call-processing hardware, according to TechRadar’s review and JBL’s wider Live 4 launch details. The result is a pair of true wireless earbuds aimed at buyers who want more than the usual app-only control scheme.
The case remains the standout feature. TechRadar found the revised display responsive and useful for adjusting ANC, equaliser settings, spatial audio and playback, while also offering extras such as a timer, a torch and a Find My Buds tool. JBL’s broader Live 4 line also brings a larger screen, swipe navigation and quick access to favourite settings without reaching for a phone, as outlined in the launch coverage by TechRadar, What Hi-Fi? and Digital Trends.
Sound quality is the main reason the Live Beam 4 are being taken seriously. TechRadar said the buds deliver punchy but controlled bass, clean mids and lively treble, with LDAC support improving detail further. The site also noted that spatial audio is not a strength here, describing it as compressed and unnatural. That is consistent with the wider positioning of the series, which JBL says uses new fidelity drivers and updated processing for clearer playback and stronger low-end response.
There are still trade-offs. TechRadar judged the active noise cancellation to be solid rather than class-leading, and call quality to be less convincing than JBL’s marketing would suggest, with sibilance and background noise still noticeable in use. The same review said the earbuds are extremely comfortable, secure in the ear and rated IP55 for dust and water resistance, while French review site Les Numériques similarly praised the build quality and the sturdier, more readable case design.
At £179.99, or about $240, the Live Beam 4 sit in competitive territory against premium rivals from Apple and Bose, but JBL’s battery claims are strong: 12 hours from the buds alone and up to 48 hours with the case. Taken together, the package looks less like a niche gadget and more like a well-judged attempt to blend high-quality audio with a genuinely useful control surface. For buyers who value comfort, battery life and sound first, and can live with merely adequate ANC, JBL has made a persuasive case.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
