Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2
See price on AmazonOverall Score 7.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
JBL Live Free 2
See price on AmazonOverall Score 6.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 | JBL Live Free 2 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
weight | 12.5g | 9.8g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
wingtips included | ✓ | ✗ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 9.3mm | 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 | 18hours | 28hours | |
charge time | 2hours | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.3 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✗ | |
has aptx adaptive | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 8only | 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 | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
IP ratings is the rank of protection given by a casing, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (water).
Having a value of IPX4, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2'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. In comparison to the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, 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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have a weight of 12.5g . We take in account a lower weight better because lighter devices are easier to move with.
The JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g are lighter than the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 with a difference -2.7g True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are true wireless for this case since they have no wires. This is a key difference since wireless earbuds have cables linking the two earbuds . JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it doesn't have wires linking the 2 earbuds together. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 come with wingtips, these are reserved for earbuds for workouts and come as an optional add-on to the separate silicone ear tip for a better fit.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have sweat resistance JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have stereo speakers, what this means is that Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2's speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience. Both JBL Live Free 2 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation utilises advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out.
In simple terms, it's like taking +1 (noise) and adding -1 (inverted noise) to make zero resulting in a reduced level of noise.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears since you don't need to crank up the device volume to overcome background noise. The JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC which makes both earbuds ideal for flights and rush hour commutes.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 and JBL Live Free 2 work with different noise cancellation settings, pick the setting that you prefer for commute or that suites your relaxation time. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 sit well in place, creating a sound covering that reduces background noise and also prevents the earbuds music from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that they tone down ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have a unit size of 9.3mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is the component that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size dictates 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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 by 1.7mm , as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better quality sound. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component generates low recognizable 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 produce equal bass
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well a particular audio component makes high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.
JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices produce equal treble The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2's battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings. JBL Live Free 2's battery life is more than that of Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 by 1 hours . Every time you recharge your earbuds, 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. The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2's case is said to have a charge of 18 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go several 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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 by 10 hours It requires 2 hours to fully charge the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for extended periods. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery.
Its lights display the charging state of your earbuds and case. JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you to determine the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
JBL Live Free 2 too use USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current laptops, phones, and tablets. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have Bluetooth version of 5.3, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement 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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth. JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 support AAC, a codec that is 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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 will work well 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. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have 8 microphones.
The JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6, less than that of Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 by 2 . More microphones record better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out background sounds. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to reduce background sounds from the desired sound. The JBL Live Free 2 too use a noise-canceling microphone.
This is useful in noisy areas. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound to still be heard even when wearing them The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music while being aware of your surrounding, for example when you’re having a run but still want to hear traffic. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears . If lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 support the find earbuds feature.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to fully charge a device. Also the JBL Live Free 2 support fast charging.
It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in thirty minutes. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 support multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them.
For example, 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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 . Bluetooth multipoint is useful because you can be on one call without missing notifications coming from another connected device. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.
The JBL Live Free 2 too support the mute function. It means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party's voice. With the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, 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. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection.
The JBL Live Free 2 also have voice prompts .i.e the earbuds notifies you when the battery is low, and you need to recharge the device. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds without a case, or putting them in your bag without a casing 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.