Overall Score 6.6 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 5.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
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 | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
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
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
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 .
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX's battery capacity is 70mAh, battery capacity, shows the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store.
The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX, the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you just place down on a supported charging pad.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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).
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.