Home Wireless Earbuds Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Ex Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

A Review By Comparison of the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Ex Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

Last updated on Mar 14, 2023   7 minute read
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Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX

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Reasons why you might like the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX

Overall Score 6.6 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IP57
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 8 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 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 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX JBL Live Free 2
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating ip57 ipX5
weight 12g 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 9.2mm 11mm
lowest frequency 20hz 20hz
highest frequency 20,000hz 20,000hz
sound pressure level 102db/mw
POWER battery life 8hours 7hours
battery life of charging case 20hours 28hours
charge time 1.5hours
battery power 70mah
has wireless charging
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 6only 6only
has a noise-canceling microphone
EXTRAS has ambient sound mode
supports fast charging
multipoint count 2only 2only
has a mute function
control panel placed on a device
warranty period 3years
has voice prompts
travel bag is included
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A breakdown of the review per specifications

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX ip57
JBL Live Free 2 ipX5

IP ratings refer to the rank of protection given by an enclosure, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (sweat).

Scoring IP57, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX'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 the second value of 7 means that they are protected against temporary immersion in water under set conditions, say 1 metre for 30 minutes.

In comparison to the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX, JBL Live Free 2 have a rating of IPX5 meaning that no data available to specify a protection rating and that of liquids is that, Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX has a higher liquid rating than JBL Live Free 2

Weight

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 12g
JBL Live Free 2 9.8g

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX have a weight of 12g . We consider a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are easier to carry.

JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g weigh less than the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX with a difference -2.2g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

For a device to be true wireless it should have no wires linking any part of the device together, Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is an important distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires linking the two earbuds together.

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

Sweat Resistance

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 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

Has Stereo Speakers

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 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

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

ANC makes use of advanced kind of tech to actively counter noise. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving zero which results in a reduced level of noise.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue since you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise.

JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC which makes both earbuds ideal for flights and morning travels. Each work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the noise cancellation type that suits your travel or that enhances your relaxation time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX sit tightly in place, this creates a sound seal that reduces your environment sounds while preventing the device voice audio from leaking out .

Both JBL Live Free 2, and Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX have passive noise reduction this means that they reduce ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 9.2mm
JBL Live Free 2 11mm

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX have a unit size of 9.2mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, its size determines the sound made by the earbuds.

JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making them have a larger driver unit than that of Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX by 1.8mm , 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 can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 20hz
JBL Live Free 2 20hz

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio device generates 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 can produce equal bass

Highest Frequency

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 20,000hz
JBL Live Free 2 20,000hz

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio device produces 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 implies that both devices can produce equal treble

Sound Pressure Level

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2 102db/mw

SPL, is the pressure level of sound, measured 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.

Power

Battery Life

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 8hours
JBL Live Free 2 7hours

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX's battery life is 8 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge. A device's battery life is 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 less than that of Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX by 1 hours . Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 20hours
JBL Live Free 2 28hours

This is given by the vendor, and the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX's case has a charge of 20 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables 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 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX by 8 hours

Charge Time

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 1.5hours
JBL Live Free 2

It requires 1.5 hours to fully charge the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX's battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for long periods.

Battery Power

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 70mah
JBL Live Free 2

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX's battery capacity is 70mAh, battery capacity, shows the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store.

Has Wireless Charging

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX, the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you just place down on a supported charging pad.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights display the charging state of your earbuds and charging case.

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

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX have USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.

JBL Live Free 2 too use USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current electronics.

Bluetooth Version

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX v5.2
JBL Live Free 2 v5.2

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.

JBL Live Free 2 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, equal to that of the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 10meters
JBL Live Free 2 10meters

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.

JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX

Has Aac

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because 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 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX will work well with your iPad. If you are planning on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.

Has Aptx Adaptive

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 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

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 6only
JBL Live Free 2 6only

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX have 6 microphones.

JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6, equal to that of the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX . More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out noise.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce background sounds from the earbuds' sound.

The JBL Live Free 2 too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is useful in noisy environments.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to 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, for example when you’re having a run but still want to hear traffic.

Supports Fast Charging

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to charge a device.

JBL Live Free 2 too 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 can be charged to 50% in just 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 2only
JBL Live Free 2 2only

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX support multipoint of 2 connections, this 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 JBL Live Free 2 support multipoint count of 2, equal to that of the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX . Bluetooth multipoint comes in handy when you can be on one call and not miss notifications coming from another device.

Has A Mute Function

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.

The JBL Live Free 2 too support this function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

With the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device.

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

Warranty Period

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX 3years
JBL Live Free 2

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX have a warranty period of 3 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use following instruction manuals.

Has Voice Prompts

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX have voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.

JBL Live Free 2 also support voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you when the battery is low, and you need to recharge the earbuds.

Travel Bag Is Included

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX
JBL Live Free 2

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX come with their own special pouch. Carrying earbuds without a case, or putting them in your pockets without a cover can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.

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

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