Home Wireless Earbuds Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Jbl Wave Buds

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Jbl Wave Buds Review

Last updated on Aug 18, 2024   15 minute read
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JBL Wave Buds

JBL Wave Buds

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Reasons why you might like the JBL Wave Buds

Overall Score 8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IP54
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 8 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 2 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode
VS
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

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Jbl Wave Buds Review In Summary

Category Features JBL Wave Buds Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating IP54 IPX4
weight 9g 8.56g
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 8mm 11mm
lowest frequency 20Hz 10Hz
highest frequency 20,000Hz 20,000Hz
sound pressure level 100dB/mW
POWER battery life 8hours 6hours
battery life of charging case 24hours 30hours
charge time 2hours 0.3hours
has wireless charging
has a battery level indicator
CONNECTIVITY has usb type-c
bluetooth version v5.2 v5
maximum bluetooth range 10meters 10meters
has aac
has aptx adaptive
MICROPHONE number of microphones 2only 6only
has a noise-canceling microphone
mic sensitivity -38dBV/Pa
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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IP ratings is the level of protection offered by a casing, against dust and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value means protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance 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. In comparison to the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), JBL Wave Buds have a rating of IP54 meaning that ingress of dust is not totally prevented but dust does not enter in harmful quantities to interfere with the correct operation or impair safety and that of liquids is that, they both have the same rating against liquids The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We take in account a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to carry.

The JBL Wave Buds, at 9g are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by of 0.44g For a device to be true wireless it should have no wires connecting any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they have no wires. This is a key difference as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the 2 earbuds . JBL Wave Buds also is true wireless because it has no wires linking the 2 earbuds . Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have sweat resistance JBL Wave Buds's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during 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 separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience. Both JBL Wave Buds and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers ANC utilises advanced kind of tech to actively counter noise.

ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (noise) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving 0 hence "diluting" the noise.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears since you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background sounds.

The JBL Wave Buds too have ANC making both earbuds ideal for plane rides and rush hour commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for commute or that enhances your relaxation time. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) stay well in place, this creates a sound seal that tones down background sounds well as preventing the earbuds music from leaking out at the same.

Both JBL Wave Buds, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have passive noise reduction which means that both tone down ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass. A driver unit is the component that makes sound in the device, its size corellates with the sound produced by the earbuds.

JBL Wave Buds driver unit is 8mm in diameter, which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 3mm , 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 yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not imply 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 device produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal while at it.

JBL Wave Buds's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can make sound with a juicier bass than the JBL Wave Buds The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well an audio device produces high recognizable frequencies and if it changes to the signal while at it. JBL Wave Buds's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices can 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 Wave Buds's battery life is more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 2 hours . Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time. The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case is said to have a full charge of 30 hours.

A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before having to recharge the case itself. JBL Wave Buds's charging case has a battery life of 24 hours, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 6 hours It requires 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 when they have been in storage for long periods.

JBL Wave Buds takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery, more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 1.7 hours The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you simply put down on a compatible charging pad. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery.

The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your device and case. JBL Wave Buds too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you tell the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.

JBL Wave Buds 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 Wave Buds 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. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide 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 MacBook.

If you intend on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. The JBL Wave Buds support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones. JBL Wave Buds microphones are 2, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 4 . More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background sounds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to filter out noise from the desired sound.

The JBL Wave Buds too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is useful in noisy areas. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears . The JBL Wave Buds support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears saving battery life.

If lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a find earbuds feature. JBL Wave Buds too have the find earbuds feature. Simply use the earbuds app on your phone to play a sound from your device to help you find them.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to charge a device. Also the JBL Wave Buds too support fast charging.

This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just 30 minutes. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you to link 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 Wave Buds 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 connected device. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.

The JBL Wave Buds also support this function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the device's 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 earbuds.

JBL Wave Buds 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 following instruction manuals. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support voice prompts.

With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection. The JBL Wave Buds also support voice prompts meaning the device notifies you if the battery is low, and it's time to recharge them. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with their own special case.

Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them inside your bag without a casing may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. JBL Wave Buds too have a case included, which offers safe transportation.

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