A breakdown of the review per specifications

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 IP54

JBL Live Free 2 IPX5

Ingress protection ratings is the rating of protection offered by an enclosure, against solids and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value means protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

Having a value of IP54, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7's rating is read as, the first value of 5 denotes 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 number of 4 means 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 Bowers & Wilkins PI7, 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, Bowers & Wilkins PI7 has a lower liquid rating than JBL Live Free 2

Weight

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 50g

JBL Live Free 2 9.8g

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a weight of 50g . We consider a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.

JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g weigh less than the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by -40.2g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables linking any part of the device together, Bowers & Wilkins PI7 are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is a major difference as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the pair of earbuds together.

JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it doesn't have cables connecting the pair of earbuds together.

Sweat Resistance

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 have sweat resistance

Has Stereo Speakers

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have stereo speakers, what this means is that Bowers & Wilkins PI7's 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 Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have stereo speakers

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
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Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

Active noise cancellation utilises advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. How it works, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and after generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving zero resulting in a reduced level of noise.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background noise.

The JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC which makes either of the earbuds ideal for flights and rush hour commutes. Each work with different noise cancellation settings, pick the mode that suits your commute or that enhances your chill time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 sit tightly in place, creating a sound seal that tones down your environment sounds and also prevents the earbuds voice audio from leaking out .

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this implies that they reduce ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 9.2mm

JBL Live Free 2 11mm

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 driver unit is 9.2mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the earbuds, the unit size determines the sound made by the device.

JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making them have a larger driver unit than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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 yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not indicate that they deliver better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 10Hz

JBL Live Free 2 20Hz

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio component 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 Bowers & Wilkins PI7 produce a juicier bass than the JBL Live Free 2

Highest Frequency

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 20000Hz

JBL Live Free 2 20000Hz

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well an audio device makes high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal on its way through.

JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, this implies that both devices can produce equal treble

Sound Pressure Level

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

JBL Live Free 2 102dB/mW

The sound pressure level, is the level of pressure 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.

A Review By Comparison Of The Jbl Wave Beam Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7

Battery Life

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 4.5hours

JBL Live Free 2 7hours

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery life is 4.5 hours, these last less than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.

JBL Live Free 2's battery life is more than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 2.5 hours . Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 18hours

JBL Live Free 2 28hours

This is given by the vendor, and Bowers & Wilkins PI7'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 multiple times before recharging the case itself.

JBL Live Free 2's charging case has a battery life of 28 hours, more than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 10 hours

Charge Time

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 3hours

JBL Live Free 2 ✗

It requires 3 hours to fully charge the Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.

Has Wireless Charging

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✗

Bowers & Wilkins PI7, the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you just place down on a supported charging pad.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your device 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 having a low battery.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
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Has Usb Type-C

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.

JBL Live Free 2 too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current electronics.

Bluetooth Version

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 v5

JBL Live Free 2 v5.2

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables 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, newer than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 10meters

JBL Live Free 2 10meters

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.

JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Has Aac

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✗

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.

Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 will work fine with your MacBook. 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.

Has Aptx Adaptive

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✗

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps).

Has Aptx Hd

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✗

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support APTX HD, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It supports high-quality 24-bit audio (at a bit rate of 576kbps).

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Number Of Microphones

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 6only

JBL Live Free 2 6only

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have 6 microphones.

The JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6, equal to that of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 . More microphones result in better sound quality and help the device to filter out background sounds.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce noise from the desired sound.

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

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
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Has Ambient Sound Mode

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound so that they can still be heard even while wearing them

The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music while being aware of what’s happening around you, say you’re having a run but still want to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✗

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused.

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✗

When lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support the find earbuds feature.

Supports Fast Charging

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce 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 fills up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in thirty minutes.

Multipoint Count

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

JBL Live Free 2 2only

The JBL Live Free 2 support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.

Has A Mute Function

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.

The JBL Live Free 2 too have the mute function. The mute function means that you can turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party's voice.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

With the Bowers & Wilkins PI7, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds.

The JBL Live Free 2 also have a control panel on them.

Has Voice Prompts

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection.

The JBL Live Free 2 too have voice prompts meaning the earbuds will notify you when the battery is low, and you need to recharge them.

Travel Bag Is Included

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 come with a special case. Carrying earphones without a case, or putting them inside your bag without a cover can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.

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

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Category	Features	Bowers & Wilkins PI7	JBL Live Free 2
DESIGN	ingress protection (ip) rating	IP54	IPX5
	weight	50g	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	10Hz	20Hz
	highest frequency	20000Hz	20000Hz
	sound pressure level	✗	102dB/mW
POWER	battery life	4.5hours	7hours
	battery life of charging case	18hours	28hours
	charge time	3hours	✗
	has wireless charging	✓	✗
	has a battery level indicator	✓	✓
CONNECTIVITY	has usb type-c	✓	✓
	bluetooth version	v5	v5.2
	maximum bluetooth range	10meters	10meters
	has aac	✓	✗
	has aptx adaptive	✓	✗
	has aptx hd	✓	✗
MICROPHONE	number of microphones	6only	6only
MICROPHONE	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
	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

A Review By Comparison of the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

Reasons why you might like the Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Reasons why you might like the JBL Live Free 2

A summary of the review by feature comparison

A breakdown of the review per specifications

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Weight

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

Lowest Frequency

Highest Frequency

Sound Pressure Level

Power

Battery Life

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Charge Time

Has Wireless Charging

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

Bluetooth Version

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Has Aac

Has Aptx Adaptive

Has Aptx Hd

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Supports Fast Charging

Multipoint Count

Has A Mute Function

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Has Voice Prompts

Travel Bag Is Included

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