Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
See price on AmazonOverall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
JBL Live Free 2
See price on AmazonOverall Score 6.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
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 | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
Ingress protection ratings refer to the rank of protection offered by an enclosure, against dust and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value refers to protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (water).
Scoring 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
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We prefer a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are easier to move with.
JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by of 1.24g For a device to be true wireless it must have no wires linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they don't have wires. This is an important difference as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the 2 earbuds . JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it has no wires linking the two earbuds together. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are resistant to sweat JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit 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 separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The JBL Live Free 2 also have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation utilises advanced kind of tech to actively cancel noise. How it works, it studies the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and after inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (noise) and adding -1 (inverted noise) giving 0 which results in a reduced level of 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 device volume to overcome background noise. The JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC making both devices ideal for plane rides and rush hour commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting that suits your commute or that suites your relaxation time.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) stay tightly in place, this creates a sound seal that reduces your environment noise and also prevents the device voice audio from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that both reduce ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass.
A driver unit is the component that makes sound in the earbuds, its size corellates with the sound produced by the device. JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter,
making both devices similar in how loud their sound gets
, as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so it's true that, 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 inidcates how well a particular audio device produces low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal while at it. JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) produce a juicier bass than the JBL Live Free 2 The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component generates high human frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through. JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that both devices produce equal treble The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge.
A device's battery life is usually given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, 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 . Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.
The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case is said to have a full charge of 30 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before recharging 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 recommended 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 device, you simply put down on a compatible charging pad.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights indicate the charging status of your earbuds and case. JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you tell the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data movement between devices placed in range, 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. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance to connect 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 can provide better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work well with your MacBook. If you are planning on using these with Android you need to pay even closer attention to codec support for if they only have AAC they won't provide the best audio quality possible, 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 noise. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to reduce noise from the desired sound. The JBL Live Free 2 too use a noise-canceling type of microphone.
This is useful in noisy environments. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused. If lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support the find earbuds feature.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to fully charge the earbuds. The JBL Live Free 2 too support fast charging.
This kind is similar to regular charging, only that the battery fills up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in thirty minutes. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them.
For example, you can switch calls from one device to another without having to 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 and not miss notifications from another device. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The JBL Live Free 2 too support the mute function. It means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk. With the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can 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. The 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.
With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection. The JBL Live Free 2 too have voice prompts .i.e the earbuds notifies you when the battery is low, and you need to recharge them. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special case.
Carrying earphones without a case, or putting them inside your bag without a cover can easily damage them. JBL Live Free 2 too have a case included, which offers safe transportation.