Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 Pro (2nd Gen) | JBL Live Free 2 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
weight | 10.6g | 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 | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | ✗ | 102dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 6hours | 7hours |
battery life of charging case | 24hours | 28hours | |
charge time | 1hours | ✗ | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✗ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.3 | 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 | ✓ | ✓ | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
Ingress protection ratings is the rating of protection given by an enclosure, against dust and liquids. 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 Pro (2nd Gen)'s rating is read as, the first value of X denotes that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second value of 4 means 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 Pro (2nd 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 Pro (2nd Gen) has a lower liquid rating than JBL Live Free 2
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a weight of 10.6g . We consider a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.
JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g
weigh less than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with a difference -0.8g
For a device to be true wireless it should have no cables connecting any part of the device together, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is a major difference as some wireless earbuds have wires linking the pair of earbuds .
JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires connecting the 2 earbuds together.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are resistant to sweat
JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
Both JBL Live Free 2 and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation uses more 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 generates a mirror signal to counter it. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation enabling 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.
JBL Live Free 2 too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes either of the earbuds ideal for flights and morning commutes. Each work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that suits your commute or that enhances your relaxation time.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) sit well in place, creating a sound covering that tones down background sounds and also prevents the device sound from leaking out .
Both JBL Live Free 2, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have passive noise reduction this implies that they limit ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass.
The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, the unit size corellates with the loudness of the device.
JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter,
making both JBL Live Free 2, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) similar in how loud their sound gets
, 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 yeah, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not imply that they produce better quality sound.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.
JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
both devices can produce equal bass
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells 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 sound pressure level, is the pressure level of sound, in decibels, dB, JBL Live Free 2's measurement is 102dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 requires fewer chargings.
JBL Live Free 2's battery life is
more than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 1 hours
. Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.
This is given by the vendor, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s case is said to have a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before having to recharge the case itself.
JBL Live Free 2's charging case has a battery life of 28 hours,
more than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 4 hours
It requires 1 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for extended periods.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you just put down on a compatible charging pad.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights indicate the charging state of your earbuds and charging case.
JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you tell the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or having a low battery.
JBL Live Free 2 have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5.3, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows 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,
older than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 Pro (2nd Gen)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 Pro (2nd Gen) will work fine 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 Pro (2nd Gen) have 6 microphones.
JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6,
equal to that of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
. More microphones record better sound quality and help the device to filter out background sounds.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce 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 Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even when wearing the earbuds
The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of your surrounding, say you’re having a run but still want to hear traffic.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears .
If lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support the find earbuds feature.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the time it takes to charge a device.
The JBL Live Free 2 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 30 minutes.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can easily 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 Pro (2nd Gen)
. Bluetooth multipoint is useful because you can be on one call without missing notifications from another device.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The JBL Live Free 2 too support this function. It means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party's voice.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.
The JBL Live Free 2 also have a control panel on them.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection.
The JBL Live Free 2 too support voice prompts meaning the earbuds notifies you if the battery is low, and you need to recharge the device.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) come with a special pouch. Carrying earphones openly, or putting them inside your bag without a cover can easily damage them.
JBL Live Free 2 too have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.