Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall 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 refer to the rating of protection given by a casing, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number 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 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 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 best for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.
The 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 linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they have no cables. This is an important difference as some wireless earbuds have wires linking the pair of earbuds together. JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it doesn't have wires connecting the two earbuds . 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, cardio sweat workouts , etc Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers, what this means is that Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s 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 ANC utilises more advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then 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) to make zero 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 outcompete background sounds. The JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC making both earbuds ideal for flights and morning commutes. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and JBL Live Free 2 work with different noise cancellation types, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for travel or that suites your chill time.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) sit tightly in place, creating a sound seal that tones down your environment 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 instead of actively using technology to cancel it out. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 earbuds, its size corellates with the sound produced by the earbuds. JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter,
making both devices similar in how loud their sound can get
, a common assumption 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 can generate louder sound, but this does not imply that they produce better quality sound.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio component produces low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal while at it. JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that both devices make sound with equal bass The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well a particular audio component makes high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that both devices produce equal treble 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 no longer play for long like they used to.
The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s case is said to have a full charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go many 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 in storage for long periods. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you simply put down on a compatible charging pad.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your earbuds and charging case. JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you to determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery.
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 close proximity, 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. 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) Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support AAC, a codec that is 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 Pro (2nd Gen) will work fine with your MacBook. If you intend 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. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have 6 microphones.
While the 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 earbuds to filter out background sounds. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce background sounds from the desired sound. The JBL Live Free 2 too have a noise-canceling microphone.
Especially useful in noisy areas. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises to still be heard even while wearing the earbuds The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music while being aware of what’s happening around you, say you’re having a run but still want to be able to hear traffic. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused.
When lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a find earbuds feature. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. Most often, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to fully charge a device.
The JBL Live Free 2 support fast charging. This kind is 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.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without having to 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 coming from another connected device.
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 also support this function. It means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice.
With the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device. JBL Live Free 2 also have a control panel on them. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support voice prompts.
Automatically receive information through audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection. The JBL Live Free 2 also have voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you if the battery is low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) come with their own special pouch.
Carrying earbuds without a case, or putting them in your pockets without a cover may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. JBL Live Free 2 also have a case included, which offers safe transportation.