Overall Score 5.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 5.1 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | JBL Live Free 2 | Mpow Flame S |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | ipX5 | ipX7 |
weight | 9.8g | ✗ | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✗ | |
wingtips included | ✗ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 11mm | ✗ | |
lowest frequency | 20hz | ✗ | |
highest frequency | 20,000hz | ✗ | |
sound pressure level | 102db/mw | ✗ | |
POWER | battery life | 7hours | 12hours |
battery life of charging case | 28hours | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✗ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✗ | ✓ | |
has ldac | ✗ | ✓ | |
has aptx adaptive | ✗ | ✓ | |
has aptx low latency | ✗ | ✓ | |
has aptx hd | ✗ | ✓ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 6only | ✗ |
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 |
Ingress protection ratings is the rank of protection offered by an enclosure, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value refers to protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).
Having a value of IPX5, the JBL Live Free 2's rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second value of 5 means 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.
Compared to the JBL Live Free 2, Mpow Flame S have a rating of IPX7 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
JBL Live Free 2 has a lower liquid rating than Mpow Flame S
JBL Live Free 2 have a weight of 9.8g . We consider a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to move with.
True wireless devices have no wires connecting any part of the device together, JBL Live Free 2 are true wireless for this case since they have no wires. This is an important distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the two earbuds together.
Mpow Flame S have wingtips, these are reserved for workout earbuds and come as an optional add-on to the separate silicone ear tip for a more secure fit.
JBL Live Free 2 are resistant to sweat
Mpow Flame S's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc
JBL Live Free 2 have stereo speakers, what this means is that JBL Live Free 2's speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The Mpow Flame S also have stereo speakers
ANC utilises more advanced technology to reduce ambient sounds. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and after generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) giving zero which results in a reduced level of noise.
JBL Live Free 2 have ANC enabling 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.
Mpow Flame S too have ANC making both devices ideal for flights and rush hour travels. The JBL Live Free 2 and Mpow Flame S operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that suits your travel or that enhances your relaxation time.
JBL Live Free 2 stay well in place, creating a sound covering that tones down your environment sounds while preventing the device sound from leaking out at the same.
Both Mpow Flame S, and JBL Live Free 2 have passive noise reduction which means that they reduce ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out.
JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size corellates with the loudness of the earbuds.
JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal while at it.
The JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well an audio device generates high audible frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it.
The sound pressure level, is the pressure level 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.
JBL Live Free 2's battery life is 7 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
Mpow Flame S's battery life is
more than that of JBL Live Free 2 by 5 hours
. Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely 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 vendor, and the JBL Live Free 2's case has a charge of 28 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before recharging the case itself.
The JBL Live Free 2 have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights display the charging state of your device and case.
Mpow Flame S too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to tell the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or having a low battery.
The JBL Live Free 2 use USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.
JBL Live Free 2 have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Mpow Flame S has a Bluetooth version of 5,
older than that of JBL Live Free 2
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
The JBL Live Free 2 have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.
Mpow Flame S have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the JBL Live Free 2
Mpow Flame S support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Mpow Flame S will work well with your iPhone. 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.
The Mpow Flame S support LDAC, a codec developed by Sony which allows streaming high-resolution audio over Bluetooth connections at up to 990 kbps at 32 bit/96 kHz. It is capable of a very high bitrate of 990kbps, providing high-resolution audio.
Mpow Flame S support APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps).
Mpow Flame S support APTX Low Latency, a codec developed by Qualcomm. It uses Bluetooth 5.0 technology to provide low latency audio (around 40ms), which is useful when you want to avoid audio lag for example when playing games.
The Mpow Flame S 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 JBL Live Free 2 have 6 microphones.
The JBL Live Free 2 have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce noise from the earbuds' sound.
The Mpow Flame S too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is useful in noisy environments.
The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound to still be heard even while wearing the earbuds
The Mpow Flame S 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 Mpow Flame S have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears .
If lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, Mpow Flame S support the find earbuds feature.
The JBL Live Free 2 support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge a device.
Mpow Flame S too 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 thirty minutes.
JBL Live Free 2 have a multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.
The JBL Live Free 2 have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.
The Mpow Flame S also have this function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party's voice.
With the JBL Live Free 2, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.
Mpow Flame S also have a control panel on them.
The JBL Live Free 2 have voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.
The Mpow Flame S too support voice prompts .i.e the device will notify you if the battery is low, and you need to recharge the device.
The JBL Live Free 2 come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or placing them in your pockets without a cover can easily damage them.
Mpow Flame S too have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.