IP ratings refer to the rating of protection offered by a casing, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value refers to protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).
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 better because lighter devices are easier to carry.
The JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g
weigh more than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by of 1.24g
True wireless devices have no wires linking 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 distinction since wireless earbuds have wires connecting the pair of earbuds .
JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless since it has no cables connecting the two earbuds .
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, training in workout bodysuits, etc
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, what this means is that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s speakers deliver sound from independent 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 more advanced kind of tech to actively counter noise.
How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) and producing -1 (inverted noise) giving 0 resulting in a reduced level of noise.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue since you don't need to crank up the device volume to overcome background sounds.
The JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC making both earbuds ideal for flights and rush hour travels. Each operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the mode that suits your travel or that suites your relaxation time. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) stay tightly in place, this creates a sound seal that tones down background noise and also prevents the device music from leaking out at the same.
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that they tone down ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, its size dictates the sound made by the earbuds.
JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter,
making both JBL Live Free 2, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) similar in how loud their sound gets
, a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component produces low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.
JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) make sound with a juicier bass than the JBL Live Free 2
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well a particular audio device produces high human frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal on its way through. 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 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 have to charge the device less often.
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 playing time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time. The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case is said to have a full charge of 30 hours.
A charging case with more battery hours 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 fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you simply place down on a supported charging pad. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery.
The battery indicator lights indicate the charging status of your earbuds and case. JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data movement 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. 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 the same bit rate.
Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work well with your iPad.
If you intend on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones. While the 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 earbuds to filter out noise.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out background sounds from the desired sound. The JBL Live Free 2 too use a noise-canceling microphone. This is useful in noisy environments.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears .
If misplaced in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a find earbuds feature. The 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.
JBL Live Free 2 support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in just thirty minutes.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you to link 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 support 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 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 support the mute function. The mute function means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device. The 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 via audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection. JBL Live Free 2 too have voice prompts meaning the earbuds notifies you when the battery is low, and you need to recharge the earbuds.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with their own special case. Carrying earphones openly, or putting them inside your bag without a cover can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. JBL Live Free 2 too have a case included, which offers safe transportation.
