Overall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 6.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus | JBL Wave Beam |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IP55 | IP54 |
weight | 9g | 8.8g | |
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 | 9mm | 8mm | |
lowest frequency | 5Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 110dB/mW | 100dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 7.5hours | 8hours |
battery life of charging case | 12.5hours | 24hours | |
charge time | 2.5hours | 2hours | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.1 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | ✗ | 2only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
highest mic frequency | 8,000Hz | ✗ | |
lowest mic frequency | 100Hz | ✗ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✓ |
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 |
Ingress protection ratings is the rating of protection offered by a casing, against dust and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value represents protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (water).
Having a value of IP55, the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's rating for solids indicates that ingress of dust is not totally prevented but dust does not enter in harmful quantities to interfere with the correct operation or impair safety, and of liquids that they can withstand medium pressure jet that's 6.3mm diameter, similar to garden hose from any angle for 3 minutes at a distance of 2.5 to 3 metres. Compared to the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus, JBL Wave Beam have a rating of IP54 meaning that
they both have the same rating against dust
and that of liquids is that,
JBL Wave Beam has a lower liquid rating than Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus
Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have a weight of 9g . We consider a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.
The JBL Wave Beam, at 8.8g weigh less than the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus with a difference -0.2g For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables connecting any part of the device together, Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus are true wireless for this case since they don't have cables. This is a major difference since wireless earbuds have cables linking the 2 earbuds . JBL Wave Beam also is true wireless because it has no cables connecting the 2 earbuds together. Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus are resistant to sweat JBL Wave Beam's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have stereo speakers, what this means is that Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The JBL Wave Beam also have stereo speakers ANC utilises advanced technology to actively counter noise. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and then generates a mirror signal to counter it. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (inverted noise) to make zero therefore "diluting" the noise.
Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have ANC enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background sounds. The JBL Wave Beam too have Active Noise Cancellation making either of the earbuds ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the mode that suits your commute or that enhances your relaxation time.
Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus sit tightly in place, this creates a sound covering that reduces background noise and also prevents the device voice audio from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that both reduce ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out. The Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have a unit size of 9mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass.
A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size determines the sound produced by the earbuds. JBL Wave Beam driver unit is 8mm in diameter,
which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus by 1mm
, 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 deliver better quality sound.
The Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's lowest frequency is at 5Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio device generates low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal while at it. JBL Wave Beam's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus produce a juicier bass than the JBL Wave Beam Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well an audio device produces high recognizable frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it. JBL Wave Beam's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices produce equal treble SPL, is the level of pressure of sound, measured in decibels, dB, Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's measurement is 110dB/mW.
Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source. JBL Wave Beam's sound pressure level measurement is 100dB/mW. How loud something is can be perceived differently by separate people, so we need to have the means to get a standard measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.
Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's battery life is 7.5 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 have to charge the device less often. JBL Wave Beam's battery life is more than that of Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus by 0.5 hours . Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time.
The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time. The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's case is said to have a full charge of 12.5 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before recharging the case itself.
JBL Wave Beam's charging case has a battery life of 24 hours, more than that of Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus by 11.5 hours It takes 2.5 hours to fully charge the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for extended periods. JBL Wave Beam takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery, less than that of Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus by 0.5 hours Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the device has a low battery.
The battery indicator lights display the charging status of your device and case. JBL Wave Beam too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you to determine the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or having a low battery. Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus use USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
JBL Wave Beam too support USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current electronics. The Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have Bluetooth version of 5.1, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
JBL Wave Beam has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, newer than that of Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth. JBL Wave Beam have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because 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 Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus will work fine with your MacBook.
If you intend on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. The Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to reduce background sounds from the desired sound. The JBL Wave Beam too have a noise-canceling microphone.
Especially useful in noisy environments. Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's highest mic frequency is 8,000Hz, high frequencies are best for picking up treble. The highest mic frequency of a microphone is known as its upper limiting frequency.
The Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus's lowest mic frequency is 100Hz, low frequencies are best for recording bass. The lowest mic frequency of a microphone is defined as its lower limiting frequency. Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound to still be heard even while wearing the earbuds The JBL Wave Beam 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, for example when you’re having a run but would still want to hear traffic.
If misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus support the find earbuds feature. JBL Wave Beam also have the find earbuds feature. Use the device app on your phone to play an alarm from your earbuds to help you find them.
Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to charge the earbuds. Also the JBL Wave Beam support fast charging.
This kind is 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. Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus 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 easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. The Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The JBL Wave Beam too have this function.
The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party's voice. With the Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. JBL Wave Beam too have a control panel on them.
The Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection. JBL Wave Beam too have voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you when the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them.
Audio Technica ATH CKS30TW Plus come with a special case. Carrying earbuds openly, or placing them in your bag without a casing may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. JBL Wave Beam too have a case included, which offers safe transportation.