JBL Live Pro 2
See price on AmazonOverall Score 8.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7
See price on AmazonOverall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | JBL Live Pro 2 | Bowers & Wilkins PI7 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX5 | IP54 |
weight | 9.6g | 50g | |
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 | 11mm | 9.2mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 10Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 93dB/mW | ✗ | |
POWER | battery life | 10hours | 4.5hours |
battery life of charging case | 30hours | 18hours | |
charge time | 2hours | 3hours | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✗ | ✓ | |
has aptx adaptive | ✓ | ✓ | |
has aptx hd | ✗ | ✓ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 6only | 6only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
mic sensitivity | -38dBV/Pa | ✗ | |
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 | ✓ | ✓ | |
warranty period | 1Years | ✗ | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
IP ratings refer to the rank of protection offered by an enclosure, against solids and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value represents protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Having a value of IP54, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7'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 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 Bowers & Wilkins PI7, JBL Live Pro 2 have a rating of IPX5 meaning that
no data available to specify a protection rating
and that of liquids is that,
JBL Live Pro 2 has a higher liquid rating than Bowers & Wilkins PI7
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a weight of 50g . We prefer a lower weight better because lighter devices are easier to carry.
JBL Live Pro 2, at 9.6g are lighter than the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by -40.4g True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, Bowers & Wilkins PI7 are true wireless for this case since they have no cables. This is a major distinction as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the two earbuds together. JBL Live Pro 2 also is true wireless because it doesn't have wires linking the 2 earbuds together.
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 Pro 2 and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have stereo speakers ANC uses advanced technology to actively cancel noise. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and after inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out.
Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) to make 0 resulting in a reduced level of noise.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background sounds. The JBL Live Pro 2 too have ANC which makes either of the devices ideal for flights and rush hour commutes.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 and JBL Live Pro 2 work with different noise cancellation types, pick the mode that you prefer for commute or that suites your relaxation time. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 sit well in place, creating a sound covering that tones down background noise and also prevents the device music from leaking out . Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this means that they tone down ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 driver unit is 9.2mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass.
A driver unit is the component that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size dictates the loudness of the earbuds. JBL Live Pro 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter,
making them have a larger driver unit than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 1.8mm
, 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 it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not imply that they produce better quality sound.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio component produces low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal on its way through. JBL Live Pro 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that Bowers & Wilkins PI7 can produce a juicier bass than the JBL Live Pro 2 Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio component makes high human frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through. JBL Live Pro 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices can generate equal treble Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery life is 4.5 hours, these last less 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 Pro 2's battery life is more than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 5.5 hours . Every time you recharge your earbuds, 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.
The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and Bowers & Wilkins PI7's case has a charge of 18 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before having to recharge the case itself. JBL Live Pro 2's charging case has a battery life of 30 hours, more than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 12 hours It takes 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. JBL Live Pro 2 takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery, less than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 1 hours Bowers & Wilkins PI7, the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply place down on a supported charging pad.
JBL Live Pro 2 also support wireless charging, always look out for the charging standard of the earbuds. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights show the charging state of your device and charging case.
JBL Live Pro 2 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable. JBL Live Pro 2 too have USB TYPE-C.
This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current electronics. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have Bluetooth version of 5, 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 Pro 2 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, newer than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth. JBL Live Pro 2 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support AAC, a codec 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 Bowers & Wilkins PI7 will work fine with your iPad. If you are planning on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.
The 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). JBL Live Pro 2 support APTX Adaptive as well which implies that both can adjust the bit rate for different scenarios, such as reducing interference from other devices. 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). The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have 6 microphones. JBL Live Pro 2 microphones are 6, equal to that of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 . More microphones record better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce noise from the earbuds' sound.
The JBL Live Pro 2 too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises so that they can still be heard even when wearing the earbuds The JBL Live Pro 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 jog but would still want to hear traffic.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears . The JBL Live Pro 2 support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience. If misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a find earbuds feature. The JBL Live Pro 2 also have the find earbuds feature.
Use the device app on your phone to play a sound from your device to find them. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge a device.
Also the JBL Live Pro 2 too support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in thirty minutes.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The JBL Live Pro 2 also have this function. It means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice.
With the Bowers & Wilkins PI7, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. JBL Live Pro 2 also have a control panel on them. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support voice prompts.
Automatically receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. The JBL Live Pro 2 too have voice prompts meaning the earbuds will notify you if the battery is low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 come with their own special pouch.
Carrying earbuds openly, or placing them in your pockets without a cover may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. JBL Live Pro 2 too have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.