Overall Score 8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
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 | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
Ingress protection ratings is the rating of protection offered by a casing, against solids and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating 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 the second number of 4 means 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 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 consider a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.
JBL Wave Buds, at 9g are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference of 0.44g True wireless devices 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 an important difference as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the 2 earbuds . JBL Wave Buds also is true wireless since it has no cables connecting the 2 earbuds together. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are resistant to sweat JBL Wave Buds'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, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
Both JBL Wave Buds and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation utilises advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving 0 resulting in a reduced level of noise.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background sounds. JBL Wave Buds too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes either of the earbuds ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the noise cancellation type that suits your travel or that suites your relaxation time.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) sit tightly in place, creating a sound seal that reduces background noise well as preventing the earbuds music from leaking out . Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that both tone down ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the earbuds, its size determines the sound made by the earbuds.
JBL Wave Buds driver unit is 8mm in diameter,
which implies 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 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 device generates low recognizable frequencies and if it alters the signal while at it.
JBL Wave Buds's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can produce a juicier bass than the JBL Wave Buds The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well a particular audio component makes high audible frequencies and if it changes to the signal while at it. JBL Wave Buds's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies 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 more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
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 listening time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. This is given by the vendor, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case has a charge of 30 hours.
A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go many 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 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 for the first time.
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 device, you simply place down on a supported 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 display the charging state 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, 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 allows data transfers between devices placed in range, 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. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide 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. 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. While the 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 earbuds to filter out noise. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to filter out background sounds from the desired sound.
The JBL Wave Buds too use a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy areas. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears . 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 easily find them in your bag, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support the find earbuds feature. JBL Wave Buds also have the find earbuds feature. You can use the earbuds app on your phone to play an alarm from your earbuds to help you locate them.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge a device. Also the JBL Wave Buds support fast charging.
This kind is similar to regular charging, only that the battery fills up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in thirty minutes. 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.
For example, you can switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect. The JBL Wave Buds 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 without missing notifications from another device. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.
The JBL Wave Buds too support the mute function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device.
The JBL Wave Buds also 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.
With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. JBL Wave Buds also have voice prompts .i.e the device will notify you when the battery is running low, and you need to recharge the earbuds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special case.
Carrying earphones without a case, or placing them in your pockets without a casing may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. JBL Wave Buds too have a case included, which offers safe transportation.