IP ratings refer to the rating of protection given by an enclosure, against solids and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Having a value of IPX4, the Bose SoundSport Free's rating is read as, the first number 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. Compared to the Bose SoundSport Free, JBL Wave Beam have a rating of IP54 meaning 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 that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
The Bose SoundSport Free have a weight of 18.2g . We take in account a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.
The JBL Wave Beam, at 8.8g
are lighter than the Bose SoundSport Free with a difference -9.4g
For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables linking any part of the device together, Bose SoundSport Free are true wireless for this matter since they have no cables. This is an important difference as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the 2 earbuds .
JBL Wave Beam also is true wireless since it has no wires linking the pair of earbuds .
The Bose SoundSport Free come with wingtips, these are commonly used for earbuds for workouts and are usually an optional add-on to the separate silicone ear tip for a better fit. Bose SoundSport Free are resistant to sweat
JBL Wave Beam'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 SoundSport Free have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
Both JBL Wave Beam and Bose SoundSport Free have stereo speakers
Bose SoundSport Free sit well in place, creating a sound seal that reduces background noise well as preventing the device voice audio from leaking out at the same. Both JBL Wave Beam, and Bose SoundSport Free have passive noise reduction this implies that both reduce ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out. The Bose SoundSport Free driver unit is 10mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass.
The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size determines the sound made by the earbuds. JBL Wave Beam driver unit is 8mm in diameter,
which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Bose SoundSport Free by 2mm
, 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 yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not imply that they deliver better quality sound.
Bose SoundSport Free's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through. JBL Wave Beam's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
both devices can make sound with equal bass
Bose SoundSport Free's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well a particular audio component produces high audible frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it. JBL Wave Beam's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that
both devices produce equal treble
The sound pressure level, is the pressure level of sound, measured in decibels, dB, Bose SoundSport Free's measurement is 98dB/mW.
Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source. JBL Wave Beam's sound pressure level measurement is 100dB/mW. How loud something is can be considered differently by separate persons, so we need to have a way of getting a standard measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.
The Bose SoundSport Free's battery life is 5 hours, these last less 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 longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. JBL Wave Beam's battery life is
more than that of Bose SoundSport Free by 3 hours
. Every time you recharge your earbuds, 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. This is given by the manufacturer, and Bose SoundSport Free's case is said to have a full charge of 10 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before having to recharge the case itself.
JBL Wave Beam's charging case has a battery life of 24 hours,
more than that of Bose SoundSport Free by 14 hours
It takes 2 hours to fully charge the Bose SoundSport Free's battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for long periods. JBL Wave Beam takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery,
equal to that of the Bose SoundSport Free
The Bose SoundSport Free have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery.
Its lights indicate the charging status of your device and charging case. JBL Wave Beam too have a battery level indicator, these enable you tell the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or having a low battery. Bose SoundSport Free have Bluetooth version of 4.1, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data movement between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
JBL Wave Beam has a Bluetooth version of 5.2,
newer than that of Bose SoundSport Free
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers. Bose SoundSport Free have a 9.1meters distance to connect via Bluetooth. JBL Wave Beam have a maximum range of 10meters,
longer than that of Bose SoundSport Free by 0.9meters
The Bose SoundSport Free have 2 microphones.
While the JBL Wave Beam microphones are 2,
equal to that of the Bose SoundSport Free
. More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out noise. When lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Bose SoundSport Free have a find earbuds feature. JBL Wave Beam too have the find earbuds feature.
You can use the earbuds app on your phone to play an alarm from your earbuds to help you locate them. The Bose SoundSport Free support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to fully charge a device.
Also the JBL Wave Beam too 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 is charged to 50% in thirty minutes.
The Bose SoundSport Free have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The JBL Wave Beam also have this function. The mute function means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk.
With the Bose SoundSport Free, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device. The JBL Wave Beam too have a control panel on them. The Bose SoundSport Free support voice prompts.
With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection. JBL Wave Beam too support voice prompts meaning the device notifies you if the battery is low, and you need to recharge the device. Bose SoundSport Free come with their own special pouch.
Carrying earphones without a case, or placing them inside your bag without a casing may easily damage them. JBL Wave Beam too have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.
