Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 7 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) | JBL Reflect Aero |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IP68 |
weight | 10.6g | 13g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
wingtips included | ✗ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
is dust proof and water-resistant | ✗ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 11mm | 6.8mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | ✗ | 99dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 6hours | 8hours |
battery life of charging case | 24hours | 16hours | |
charge time | 1hours | 1.5hours | |
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 | ✗ | |
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 |
IP ratings refer to the level of protection given by an enclosure, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value represents protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (water).
Scoring 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. In comparison to the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), JBL Reflect Aero have a rating of IP68 meaning that
they are completely dust proof
and that of liquids is that,
JBL Reflect Aero has a higher liquid rating than Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a weight of 10.6g . We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.
The JBL Reflect Aero, at 13g are heavier than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with a difference of 2.4g For a device to be true wireless it should have no wires connecting any part of the device together, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they don't have cables. This is an important difference since wireless earbuds have wires connecting the 2 earbuds together. JBL Reflect Aero also is true wireless since it has no cables linking the 2 earbuds together.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have sweat resistance JBL Reflect Aero's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use during 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. The JBL Reflect Aero also have stereo speakers ANC uses advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and after inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out.
In simple terms, it's like taking +1 (noise) and producing -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 resulting in a reduced level of noise.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have ANC allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears since you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background sounds. The JBL Reflect Aero too have ANC which makes either of the earbuds ideal for flights and rush hour travels.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and JBL Reflect Aero work with different noise cancellation types, pick the mode that suits your commute or that suites your chill time. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) sit well in place, creating an acoustic seal that tones down background noise while preventing the earbuds sound from leaking out . Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that they tone down 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.
A driver unit is the component that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size corellates with the loudness of the device. JBL Reflect Aero driver unit is 6.8mm in diameter,
which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 4.2mm
, 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 it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not indicate that they deliver better quality sound.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal on its way through. JBL Reflect Aero's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that both devices make sound with equal bass Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device produces high recognizable frequencies and if it changes to the signal on its way through. JBL Reflect Aero's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices can generate equal treble 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 more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. JBL Reflect Aero's battery life is more than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 2 hours . Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, 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 has a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before recharging the case itself. JBL Reflect Aero's charging case has a battery life of 16 hours, less than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 8 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 for the first time. JBL Reflect Aero takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery, more than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 0.5 hours Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you simply place down on a supported charging pad.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. Its lights indicate the charging state of your earbuds and case. JBL Reflect Aero too have a battery level indicator, these allow you determine the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or having a low battery.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5.3, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data movement between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. JBL Reflect Aero 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 connecting via Bluetooth.
JBL Reflect Aero 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 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 MacBook. 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.
While the JBL Reflect Aero microphones are 6, equal to that of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) . More microphones result in better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce noise from the desired sound. The JBL Reflect Aero too have a noise-canceling type of microphone.
This is useful in noisy areas. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises so that they can still be heard even while wearing the earbuds The JBL Reflect Aero support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music while being aware of what’s happening around you, say you’re having a run but would still want to be able to hear traffic. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears . When lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support the find earbuds feature.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. Most often, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to charge the earbuds. The JBL Reflect Aero support fast charging.
This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in just 30 minutes. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The JBL Reflect Aero too have this function.
It means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party's voice. With the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device. JBL Reflect Aero also have a control panel on them.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection. JBL Reflect Aero also have voice prompts meaning the earbuds will notify you if the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them inside your pockets without a cover may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. JBL Reflect Aero too have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.