Home Wireless Earbuds Jbl Live 300 Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

A Review By Comparison of the Jbl Live 300 Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

Last updated on Mar 14, 2023   7 min read
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JBL LIVE 300

JBL LIVE 300

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Reasons why you might like the JBL LIVE 300

Overall Score 6.0 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX5
  • Battery Life of 6 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 2 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode
VS
JBL Live Free 2

JBL Live Free 2

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Reasons why you might like the JBL Live Free 2

Overall Score 5.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX5
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 7 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode

A summary of the review by feature comparison

Category Features JBL LIVE 300 JBL Live Free 2
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating IPX5 IPX5
weight 65.7g 9.8g
has no wires or cables
sweat resistance
has an earbud foam
has stereo speakers
SOUND QUALITY has active noise cancellation (noise control)
has passive noise reduction
driver unit size 5.8mm 11mm
lowest frequency 20Hz 20Hz
highest frequency 20000Hz 20000Hz
sound pressure level 95dB/mW 102dB/mW
POWER battery life 6hours 7hours
battery life of charging case 14hours 28hours
charge time 2hours
battery power 60mAh
has a battery level indicator
CONNECTIVITY has usb type-c
bluetooth version v5 v5.2
maximum bluetooth range 10meters 10meters
has aac
MICROPHONE number of microphones 2only 6only
has a noise-canceling microphone
EXTRAS has ambient sound mode
has in/on-ear detection
supports fast charging
multipoint count 2only
has a mute function
control panel placed on a device
has voice prompts
travel bag is included
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A breakdown of the review per specifications

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

JBL LIVE 300 IPX5
JBL Live Free 2 IPX5

Ingress protection ratings is the rating of protection given by a casing, 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 resistance against liquids (water).

Scoring IPX5, the JBL LIVE 300's rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and of liquids that they can withstand medium pressure jet that's 6.3mm diameter, similar to garden hose from any angle for 3 minutes at a distance of 2.5 to 3 metres.

In comparison to the JBL LIVE 300, 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, they both have the same rating against liquids

Weight

JBL LIVE 300 65.7g
JBL Live Free 2 9.8g

The JBL LIVE 300 have a weight of 65.7g . We take in account a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to transport.

The JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g weigh less than the JBL LIVE 300 with a difference -55.9g

Has No Wires Or Cables

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

True wireless devices have no wires connecting any part of the device together, JBL LIVE 300 are true wireless for this case since they have no cables. This is a key difference since wireless earbuds have wires linking the 2 earbuds .

JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless since it has no cables connecting the 2 earbuds .

Sweat Resistance

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

JBL LIVE 300 are resistant to sweat

JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc

Has An Earbud Foam

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

An earbud foam is made to be ultracompact and lightweight, with almost no interference with earrings, spectacles, hats, or hairstyles. The JBL LIVE 300 have an earbud foam to some it is more comfortable than the in-ear foam.

Has Stereo Speakers

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

JBL LIVE 300 have stereo speakers, what this means is that JBL LIVE 300's speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

The JBL Live Free 2 also have stereo speakers

JBL LIVE 300
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

Active noise cancellation utilises more advanced kind of tech to actively counter noise. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) then producing -1 (inverted noise) giving 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.

JBL Live Free 2 have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears since you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to overcome background noise.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

JBL LIVE 300 sit well in place, creating an acoustic covering that reduces background sounds and also prevents the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same.

Both JBL Live Free 2, and JBL LIVE 300 have passive noise reduction which implies that both limit ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

JBL LIVE 300 5.8mm
JBL Live Free 2 11mm

The JBL LIVE 300 have a unit size of 5.8mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, its size corellates with the sound made by the earbuds.

JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making them have a larger driver unit than that of JBL LIVE 300 by 5.2mm , 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 yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

JBL LIVE 300 20Hz
JBL Live Free 2 20Hz

The JBL LIVE 300's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component generates low recognizable frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.

JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that both devices make sound with equal bass

Highest Frequency

JBL LIVE 300 20000Hz
JBL Live Free 2 20000Hz

JBL LIVE 300's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device produces high audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.

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

Sound Pressure Level

JBL LIVE 300 95dB/mW
JBL Live Free 2 102dB/mW

SPL, is the pressure level of sound, in decibels, dB, JBL LIVE 300's measurement is 95dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.

JBL Live Free 2's sound pressure level measurement is 102dB/mW. The sound pressure level, something is can be considered differently by different people, so we need to have the means to get an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.

Power

Battery Life

JBL LIVE 300 6hours
JBL Live Free 2 7hours

The JBL LIVE 300's battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge. A device's battery life is commonly 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 JBL LIVE 300 by 1 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 no longer play for long like they used to.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

JBL LIVE 300 14hours
JBL Live Free 2 28hours

The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and JBL LIVE 300's case has a full charge of 14 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before having to recharge the case itself.

JBL Live Free 2's charging case has a battery life of 28 hours, more than that of JBL LIVE 300 by 14 hours

Charge Time

JBL LIVE 300 2hours
JBL Live Free 2

It takes 2 hours to fully charge the JBL LIVE 300's battery. It is recommended to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.

Battery Power

JBL LIVE 300 60mAh
JBL Live Free 2

JBL LIVE 300's battery power is 60mAh, battery power, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can keep.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

JBL LIVE 300 have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights display the charging status of your earbuds and charging case.

JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you determine the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or having a low battery.

JBL LIVE 300
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Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

The JBL LIVE 300 support USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.

JBL Live Free 2 too use USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets.

Bluetooth Version

JBL LIVE 300 v5
JBL Live Free 2 v5.2

JBL LIVE 300 have Bluetooth version of 5, 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 Live Free 2 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, newer than that of JBL LIVE 300 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

JBL LIVE 300 10meters
JBL Live Free 2 10meters

JBL LIVE 300 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.

JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the JBL LIVE 300

Has Aac

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

JBL LIVE 300 support AAC, a codec 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 JBL LIVE 300 will work fine with your iPad. If you are planning 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.

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

JBL LIVE 300 2only
JBL Live Free 2 6only

JBL LIVE 300 have 2 microphones.

While the JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6, more than that of JBL LIVE 300 by 4 . More microphones record better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

JBL Live Free 2 have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to reduce background sounds from the earbuds' sound.

JBL LIVE 300
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Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

The JBL LIVE 300 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even while wearing them

The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music while being aware of your surrounding, say you’re having a run but still want to be able to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

JBL LIVE 300 support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused.

Supports Fast Charging

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

JBL LIVE 300 support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to fully charge a device.

Also the JBL Live Free 2 support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

JBL LIVE 300
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 having to manually disconnect and reconnect.

Has A Mute Function

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

JBL LIVE 300 have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.

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

Control Panel Placed On A Device

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

With the JBL LIVE 300, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the device.

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

Has Voice Prompts

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

JBL LIVE 300 support voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection.

The JBL Live Free 2 also have voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you when the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds.

Travel Bag Is Included

JBL LIVE 300
JBL Live Free 2

The JBL LIVE 300 come with a special case. Carrying earbuds openly, or placing them in your bag without a cover can easily damage them.

JBL Live Free 2 also have a case included, which offers safe transportation.

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