Home Wireless Earbuds Audio Technica Ath Twx9 Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

A Review By Comparison of the Audio Technica Ath Twx9 Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

Last updated on Mar 14, 2023   8 min read
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Audio Technica ATH TWX9

Audio Technica ATH TWX9

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Reasons why you might like the Audio Technica ATH TWX9

Overall Score 7.0 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 6 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 4 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 Audio Technica ATH TWX9 JBL Live Free 2
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating IPX4 IPX5
weight 10.8g 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 5.8mm 11mm
lowest frequency 20Hz 20Hz
highest frequency 40000Hz 20000Hz
sound pressure level 102dB/mW 102dB/mW
POWER battery life 6hours 7hours
battery life of charging case 18.5hours 28hours
charge time 2.5hours
has a battery level indicator
CONNECTIVITY has usb type-c
bluetooth version v5.2 v5.2
maximum bluetooth range 10meters 10meters
has aac
has aptx adaptive
MICROPHONE number of microphones 4only 6only
has a noise-canceling microphone
mic sensitivity -38dBV/Pa
highest mic frequency 16000Hz
lowest mic frequency 100Hz
EXTRAS has ambient sound mode
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

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 IPX4
JBL Live Free 2 IPX5

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

Having a value of IPX4, the Audio Technica ATH TWX9'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 Audio Technica ATH TWX9, 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 Audio Technica ATH TWX9

Weight

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 10.8g
JBL Live Free 2 9.8g

The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have a weight of 10.8g . We prefer a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are easier to move with.

JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g are lighter than the Audio Technica ATH TWX9 with a difference -1g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, Audio Technica ATH TWX9 are true wireless for this case since they don't have wires. This is a key distinction since wireless earbuds have wires connecting the pair of earbuds .

JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it doesn't have wires connecting the pair of earbuds together.

Sweat Resistance

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 are resistant to sweat

JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc

Has Stereo Speakers

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

The JBL Live Free 2 also have stereo speakers

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

ANC utilises more advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds. How it works, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and then generates a mirror signal to counter it. Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) and producing -1 (inverted noise) to make zero resulting in a reduced level of noise.

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue as you don't need to crank up the device volume to overcome background noise.

The JBL Live Free 2 too have Active Noise Cancellation making both devices ideal for plane rides and rush hour commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for commute or that suites your chill time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 sit tightly in place, creating an acoustic covering that reduces background noise well as preventing the earbuds sound from leaking out .

Both JBL Live Free 2, and Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have passive noise reduction which implies that they tone down ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 5.8mm
JBL Live Free 2 11mm

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have a unit size of 5.8mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, its size corellates with the loudness of the earbuds.

JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making them have a larger driver unit than that of Audio Technica ATH TWX9 by 5.2mm , 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 it's true that, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 20Hz
JBL Live Free 2 20Hz

Audio Technica ATH TWX9'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 alters the signal while at it.

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

Highest Frequency

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 40000Hz
JBL Live Free 2 20000Hz

The Audio Technica ATH TWX9's highest frequency is at 40000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well an audio component produces high recognizable frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it.

JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, this means that Audio Technica ATH TWX9 can generate a clearer and crispier treble than the JBL Live Free 2

Sound Pressure Level

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 102dB/mW
JBL Live Free 2 102dB/mW

SPL, is the pressure level of sound, measured in decibels, dB, Audio Technica ATH TWX9's measurement is 102dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.

JBL Live Free 2's sound pressure level measurement is 102dB/mW. The sound pressure level, something is can be taken differently by separate persons, so we need to have a way of getting an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.

Power

Battery Life

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 6hours
JBL Live Free 2 7hours

Audio Technica ATH TWX9'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 usually given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings.

JBL Live Free 2's battery life is more than that of Audio Technica ATH TWX9 by 1 hours . Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 18.5hours
JBL Live Free 2 28hours

The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and the Audio Technica ATH TWX9's case is said to have a charge of 18.5 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life 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 Audio Technica ATH TWX9 by 9.5 hours

Charge Time

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 2.5hours
JBL Live Free 2

It takes 2.5 hours to fully charge the Audio Technica ATH TWX9's battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights display the charging state of your device and case.

JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to tell the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or having a low battery.

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
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Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.

JBL Live Free 2 too support USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current laptops, phones, and tablets.

Bluetooth Version

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 v5.2
JBL Live Free 2 v5.2

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have Bluetooth version of 5.2, 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, equal to that of the Audio Technica ATH TWX9 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 10meters
JBL Live Free 2 10meters

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.

JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Audio Technica ATH TWX9

Has Aac

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 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 the same bit rate.

Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Audio Technica ATH TWX9 will work fine with your iPad. 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.

Has Aptx Adaptive

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 support APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps).

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 4only
JBL Live Free 2 6only

The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have 4 microphones.

While the JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6, more than that of Audio Technica ATH TWX9 by 2 . More microphones record better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out noise.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to filter out noise from the earbuds' sound.

The JBL Live Free 2 too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. Especially useful in noisy areas.

Mic Sensitivity

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 -38dBV/Pa
JBL Live Free 2

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 microphone sensitivity is measured at -38dBV/Pa. The size of the analog or digital output signal from the microphone with its input stimulus is a calculation of its sensitivity. It's the 'loudness' of the sound that the earbud microphone can pick up.

Highest Mic Frequency

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 16000Hz
JBL Live Free 2

Audio Technica ATH TWX9's highest mic frequency is 16000Hz, high frequencies are best for recording treble. The highest mic frequency of a microphone is defined as its upper limiting frequency.

Lowest Mic Frequency

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 100Hz
JBL Live Free 2

Audio Technica ATH TWX9's lowest mic frequency is 100Hz, low frequencies are better for picking up bass. The lowest mic frequency of a microphone is defined as its lower limiting frequency.

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
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Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound to still be heard even while wearing them

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, say you’re having a jog but still want to be able to hear traffic.

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

If misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have a find earbuds feature.

Supports Fast Charging

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to charge a device.

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

Multipoint Count

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 2only
JBL Live Free 2 2only

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.

The JBL Live Free 2 have a multipoint count of 2, equal to that of the Audio Technica ATH TWX9 . Bluetooth multipoint comes in handy when you can be on one call and not miss notifications from another connected device.

Has A Mute Function

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 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

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

With the Audio Technica ATH TWX9, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device.

The JBL Live Free 2 too have a control panel on them.

Has Voice Prompts

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 support voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.

JBL Live Free 2 too have voice prompts meaning the earbuds will notify you when the battery is running low, and you need to recharge the earbuds.

Travel Bag Is Included

Audio Technica ATH TWX9
JBL Live Free 2

Audio Technica ATH TWX9 come with a special case. Carrying earphones without a case, or putting them in your pockets without a cover may easily damage them.

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

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