Ingress protection ratings refer to the rank of protection offered by a casing, against dust and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value means protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (water).
Having a value of IP54, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7's rating is read as, the first number 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 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 consider a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to carry.
The JBL Live Pro 2, at 9.6g
are lighter than the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by -40.4g
True wireless devices have no cables connecting any part of the device together, Bowers & Wilkins PI7 are true wireless for this case since they don't have cables. This is an important difference as some wireless earbuds have wires linking the pair of earbuds together. JBL Live Pro 2 also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires connecting the two earbuds .
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, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The JBL Live Pro 2 also have stereo speakers
ANC utilises advanced technology to reduce ambient sounds. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and after inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) giving zero which results in a reduced level of noise.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have ANC allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue since you don't need to crank up the device volume to overcome background sounds. The JBL Live Pro 2 too have Active Noise Cancellation making either of the devices ideal for flights and morning commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the mode that suits your commute or that suites your relaxation time.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 sit well in place, this creates a sound seal that tones down your environment sounds well as preventing the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same. Both JBL Live Pro 2, and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have passive noise reduction this implies that both tone down ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a unit size of 9.2mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass.
A driver unit is the component that produces sound in the earbuds, its size dictates the sound made by the device. 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
, many people have a misconception 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 mean that they deliver better quality sound.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio device produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal while at it. JBL Live Pro 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 can make sound with a juicier bass than the JBL Live Pro 2
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates 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 Pro 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that
both devices produce 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 usually 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 listening time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.
The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and Bowers & Wilkins PI7's case has a charge of 18 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before recharging 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 highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for extended periods. JBL Live Pro 2 takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery,
less than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 1 hours
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7, the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply place down on a compatible charging pad.
JBL Live Pro 2 also support wireless charging, always look out for the charging standard of the earbuds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights show the charging status of your earbuds and charging case.
JBL Live Pro 2 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable. JBL Live Pro 2 too use USB TYPE-C.
This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in range, 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 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 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 iPhone. If you are planning on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.
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 means both can adjust the bit rate for different scenarios, such as listening to HD audio 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).
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have 6 microphones. The JBL Live Pro 2 microphones are 6,
equal to that of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7
. More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background sounds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to reduce noise from the desired sound.
The JBL Live Pro 2 too have a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy areas. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises so that they can still be heard even while wearing them
The JBL Live Pro 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 would still want to be able to hear traffic.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused. 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. When lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a find earbuds feature.
The JBL Live Pro 2 too have the find earbuds feature. Use the earbuds app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your earbuds to help you find them. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support fast charging.
Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge a device. JBL Live Pro 2 too 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 30 minutes. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The JBL Live Pro 2 also support this function.
It means that you can 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 device. The JBL Live Pro 2 too have a control panel on them.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection. The JBL Live Pro 2 also support voice prompts meaning the earbuds notifies you when the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 come with a special case. Carrying earphones openly, or putting them in your bag without a casing may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. JBL Live Pro 2 too have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.
