Overall Score 6.6 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 5.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | 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 | 20000Hz | 20000Hz | |
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 refer to the rating 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 refers to protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (water).
Scoring IPX4, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II's rating is read as, the first value of X denotes 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 II, 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 II
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have a weight of 12.5g . We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are easier to carry.
JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g
weigh less than the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II by -2.7g
True wireless devices have no wires linking any part of the device together, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is an important difference as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the 2 earbuds together.
JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it has no cables linking the 2 earbuds together.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II come with wingtips, these are commonly used for workout earbuds and are usually an optional add-on to the separate silicone ear tip for a better fit.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are resistant to sweat
JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
Both JBL Live Free 2 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have stereo speakers
ANC utilises advanced technology to actively counter noise. ANC works when, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and then inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then producing -1 (inverted noise) giving 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears since you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to overcome background noise.
The JBL Live Free 2 too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes both devices ideal for plane rides and rush hour travels. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and JBL Live Free 2 work with different noise cancellation settings, pick the noise cancellation type that suits your commute or that suites your chill time.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II stay tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that tones down background noise and also prevents the device music from leaking out at the same.
Both JBL Live Free 2, and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have passive noise reduction which implies that they limit ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II driver unit is 9.3mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass.
The driver unit is the component that makes sound in the device, its size dictates the sound produced by the device.
JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter,
making them have a larger driver unit than that of Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II by 1.7mm
, as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio device produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.
JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
both devices make sound with equal bass
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio component generates high recognizable frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal on its way through.
JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, this means that
both devices produce equal treble
SPL, is the pressure level of sound, 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.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II'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 usually 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 II by 1 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.
This is given by the manufacturer, and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II's case has a full charge of 18 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before recharging the case itself.
JBL Live Free 2's charging case has a battery life of 28 hours,
more than that of Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II by 10 hours
It requires 2 hours to fully charge the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II's battery. It is recommended to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts 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 enable you determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II use USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.
JBL Live Free 2 too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current electronics.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have Bluetooth version of 5.3, 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,
older than that of Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.
JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II will work well with your iPhone. If you intend 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.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II support APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps).
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have 8 microphones.
While the JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6,
less than that of Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II by 2
. More microphones result in better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce noise from the earbuds' sound.
The JBL Live Free 2 too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is useful in noisy environments.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound so that they can still be heard even when 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 what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a jog but still want to be able to hear traffic.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused.
If lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have a find earbuds feature.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to charge a device.
Also the JBL Live Free 2 support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, just 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 II have a multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can seemlessly 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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
. Bluetooth multipoint is useful because you can be on one call without missing notifications from another device.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.
The JBL Live Free 2 too have this function. It means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device.
JBL Live Free 2 also have a control panel on them.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection.
JBL Live Free 2 too have voice prompts meaning the device will notify you when the battery is low, and you need to recharge the device.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II come with their own special case. Carrying earphones openly, or placing them inside your pockets without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.
JBL Live Free 2 also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.