Home Wireless Earbuds Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

A Review By Comparison of the Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

Last updated on Apr 12, 2023   8 min read
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

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Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Overall Score 6.4 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
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode
VS
JBL Live Free 2

JBL Live Free 2

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Reasons why you might like the JBL Live Free 2

Overall Score 5.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX5
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 7 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode

A summary of the review by feature comparison

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 20000Hz 20000Hz
sound pressure level 102dB/mW
POWER battery life 6hours 7hours
battery life of charging case 24hours 28hours
charge time 1hours
battery power 49.7mAh
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
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A breakdown of the review per specifications

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) IPX4
JBL Live Free 2 IPX5

Ingress protection ratings refer to the rating of protection offered by a casing, against dust and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s rating for solids indicates 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.

Compared 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

Weight

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 10.6g
JBL Live Free 2 9.8g

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a weight of 10.6g . We take in account a lower weight best 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) by -0.8g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

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 case since they don't have wires. This is an important distinction since wireless earbuds have cables linking the 2 earbuds .

JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it doesn't have cables connecting the 2 earbuds .

Sweat Resistance

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have sweat resistance

JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc

Has Stereo Speakers

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers, what this means is that Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s speakers deliver sound from separate 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

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

ANC uses advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and then generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (noise) and adding -1 (inverted noise) giving 0 therefore "diluting" the noise.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have ANC allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue since you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background noise.

JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC making both devices ideal for flights and rush hour commutes. Each work with different noise cancellation settings, pick the setting that suits your travel or that suites your chill time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) sit well in place, this creates a sound covering that tones down your environment noise and also prevents the device voice audio from leaking out .

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this implies that they limit ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 11mm
JBL Live Free 2 11mm

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 corellates with the sound made by the device.

JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making both devices 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 yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not indicate that they deliver better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 20Hz
JBL Live Free 2 20Hz

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component generates low audible frequencies 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 make sound with equal bass

Highest Frequency

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 20000Hz
JBL Live Free 2 20000Hz

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component generates high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal while at it.

JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, this implies that both devices generate equal treble

Sound Pressure Level

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2 102dB/mW

The sound pressure level, is the level of pressure 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.

Power

Battery Life

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 6hours
JBL Live Free 2 7hours

The 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 commonly given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, 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 barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 24hours
JBL Live Free 2 28hours

The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s case is said to have a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours 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

Charge Time

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 1hours
JBL Live Free 2

It takes 1 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for long periods.

Battery Power

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 49.7mAh
JBL Live Free 2

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery capacity is 49.7mAh, battery power, shows the amount of electrical energy that a battery can keep.

Has Wireless Charging

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you just place down on a supported charging pad.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device 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 determine the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or having a low battery.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
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Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

The JBL Live Free 2 use USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.

Bluetooth Version

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) v5.3
JBL Live Free 2 v5.2

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5.3, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers 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.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 10meters
JBL Live Free 2 10meters

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 Pro (2nd Gen)

Has Aac

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

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 provides better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.

Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) will work well with your iPhone. 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.

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 6only
JBL Live Free 2 6only

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 enable the earbuds to filter out background sounds.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out background sounds from the desired sound.

The JBL Live Free 2 too use a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
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Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound to still be heard even while wearing the earbuds

The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music while being aware of your surrounding, for example when you’re having a run but would still want to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears .

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

When misplaced in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a find earbuds feature.

Supports Fast Charging

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the time it takes to charge a device.

JBL Live Free 2 too support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 2only
JBL Live Free 2 2only

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can easily 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 Pro (2nd Gen) . Bluetooth multipoint is useful because you can be on one call and not miss notifications from another connected device.

Has A Mute Function

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.

The JBL Live Free 2 too support the mute function. It means that you can turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party's voice.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

With the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), so you can easily 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.

Has Voice Prompts

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection.

JBL Live Free 2 too have voice prompts meaning the earbuds notifies you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them.

Travel Bag Is Included

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
JBL Live Free 2

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) come with their own special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them inside your pockets without a casing can easily damage them.

JBL Live Free 2 too have a case included, which offers safe transportation.

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