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

Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Vs. Jbl Live Free 2 Review

Last updated on Mar 30, 2024   8 minute 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 7.3 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

See price on Amazon

Reasons why you might like the JBL Live Free 2

Overall Score 6.5 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

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Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Vs. Jbl Live Free 2 Review In Summary

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 ✓ ✓
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Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Vs. Jbl Live Free 2 Review In Detail

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

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

Ingress protection ratings is the rating of protection offered by a casing, against dust and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value represents protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (water).

Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s rating is read as, the first number of X denotes 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 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, JBL Live Free 2 has a higher liquid rating than Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

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 consider a lower weight better because 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

Has No Wires Or Cables

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

For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables connecting any part of the device together, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they don't have wires. This is an important distinction since wireless earbuds have wires connecting the 2 earbuds .

JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it has no wires connecting the pair of earbuds .

Sweat Resistance

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

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are resistant to sweat

JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use during long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , 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 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

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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 actively cancel noise. How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and after inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving 0 therefore "diluting" the noise.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears since you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise.

JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC making either of the earbuds ideal for plane rides and morning travels. Each operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting that you prefer for travel or that suites your relaxation time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

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

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) sit tightly in place, this creates an acoustic covering that reduces background sounds well as preventing the earbuds music from leaking out .

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this implies that both tone down ambient noise without using ANC 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, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is the component that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size determines the sound produced by 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 can get , 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 imply that they produce 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 inidcates how well a particular audio device generates low recognizable frequencies and if it alters the signal on its way through.

JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that both devices can produce equal bass

Highest Frequency

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 20,000Hz
JBL Live Free 2 20,000Hz

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well a particular audio device makes high human frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it.

JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices can produce 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.

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Power

Battery Life

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

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 Live Free 2's battery life is more than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 1 hours . Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.

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 manufacturer, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s case has a charge of 24 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 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 requires 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 in storage for extended periods.

Has Wireless Charging

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

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 ✓

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 display the charging status of your earbuds and case.

JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to determine the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.

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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, a 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 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.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

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

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)

Has Aac

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

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 the same bit rate.

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

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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 help the earbuds to filter out noise.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

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

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to reduce noise from the desired sound.

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

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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 channel ambient noises so that they can 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 but also be aware of your surrounding, say you’re having a jog but still want to be able to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

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

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 .

Has Find Earbuds Feature

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

If lost in a room, or can't be found 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 ✓

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 the earbuds.

JBL Live Free 2 too support fast charging. It's very 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 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 to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, 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.

Has A Mute Function

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

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 Live Free 2 too support the mute function. The mute function means that you unilaterally 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 ✓

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds.

JBL Live Free 2 also have a control panel on them.

Has Voice Prompts

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

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection.

The JBL Live Free 2 also have voice prompts .i.e the device will notify you if the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them.

Travel Bag Is Included

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

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) come with their own special pouch. Carrying earbuds without a case, or placing them inside your bag without a cover can easily damage them.

JBL Live Free 2 also have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.

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