Home Wireless Earbuds Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Jbl Live Free 2 Review

Last updated on Aug 18, 2024   14 minute read
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Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

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Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 6 hours
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
VS
JBL Live Free 2

JBL Live Free 2

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Reasons why you might like the JBL Live Free 2

Overall Score 6.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX5
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 7 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Jbl Live Free 2 Review In Summary

Category Features Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) JBL Live Free 2
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating IPX4 IPX5
weight 8.56g 9.8g
has no wires or cables
sweat resistance
has stereo speakers
SOUND QUALITY has active noise cancellation (noise control)
has passive noise reduction
driver unit size 11mm 11mm
lowest frequency 10Hz 20Hz
highest frequency 20,000Hz 20,000Hz
sound pressure level 102dB/mW
POWER battery life 6hours 7hours
battery life of charging case 30hours 28hours
charge time 0.3hours
has wireless charging
has a battery level indicator
CONNECTIVITY has usb type-c
bluetooth version v5 v5.2
maximum bluetooth range 10meters 10meters
has aac
MICROPHONE number of microphones 6only 6only
has a noise-canceling microphone
EXTRAS has ambient sound mode
has in/on-ear detection
has find earbuds feature
supports fast charging
multipoint count 2only 2only
has a mute function
control panel placed on a device
warranty period 1Years
has voice prompts
travel bag is included
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Ingress protection ratings refer to the rank of protection given by an enclosure, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating is read as, the first value of X denotes that no data available to specify a protection rating, and of liquids that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. Compared to the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), JBL Live Free 2 have a rating of IPX5 meaning that we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust) and that of liquids is that, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) has a lower liquid rating than JBL Live Free 2 Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We prefer a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.

The JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference of 1.24g For a device to be true wireless it must have no wires connecting any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they don't have wires. This is a key difference as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the pair of earbuds . JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it has no wires connecting the two earbuds together. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are resistant to sweat JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

Both JBL Live Free 2 and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers ANC utilises advanced kind of tech to actively counter noise. ANC works when, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) then adding -1 (inverted noise) giving zero therefore "diluting" the noise.



The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue since you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise. JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC making either of the earbuds ideal for flights and morning commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the mode that suits your travel or that suites your relaxation time.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) sit well in place, this creates an acoustic seal that reduces your environment sounds while preventing the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same. Both JBL Live Free 2, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have passive noise reduction this means that they tone down ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass.

The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, its size corellates with the sound made by the earbuds. JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making both devices similar in how loud their sound can get , many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.

However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not imply that they produce better quality sound.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device generates low recognizable frequencies and if it alters the signal on its way through. JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can produce a juicier bass than the JBL Live Free 2 Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well a particular audio component generates high audible frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it. JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices can produce equal treble Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge.

A device's battery life is usually given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings. JBL Live Free 2's battery life is more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 1 hours . Every time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.

This is given by the manufacturer, and the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case has a full charge of 30 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before having to recharge the case itself. JBL Live Free 2's charging case has a battery life of 28 hours, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 2 hours It takes 0.3 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery.

It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for long periods. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you just place down on a compatible charging pad.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging state of your earbuds and charging case. JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. JBL Live Free 2 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, newer than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.

JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.



Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work fine with your MacBook. If you are planning on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones.

JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . More microphones record better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background sounds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to filter out noise from the desired sound. The JBL Live Free 2 too use a noise-canceling type of microphone.

Especially useful in noisy environments. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears . When lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a find earbuds feature. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging.

Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to fully charge the earbuds. The JBL Live Free 2 too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster.

For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in thirty minutes. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.

The JBL Live Free 2 have a multipoint count of 2, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Bluetooth multipoint is useful because you can be on one call without missing notifications from another connected device. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The JBL Live Free 2 also have the mute function.

It means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice. With the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the device. JBL Live Free 2 too have a control panel on them.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a warranty period of 1 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection.

The JBL Live Free 2 too support voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you when the battery is low, and you need to recharge the earbuds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds without a case, or placing them in your bag without a casing may easily put them at risk of getting damaged.

JBL Live Free 2 too have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.

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