Sony LinkBuds S
See price on AmazonOverall Score 7 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
JBL Live Free 2
See price on AmazonOverall Score 6.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Sony LinkBuds S | JBL Live Free 2 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
weight | 9.6g | 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 | 5mm | 11mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 40,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | ✗ | 102dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 6hours | 7hours |
battery life of charging case | 14hours | 28hours | |
charge time | 2hours | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✗ | |
has ldac | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 6only | 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 |
IP ratings refer to the rank of protection given by a casing, against dust and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Scoring IPX5, the JBL Live Free 2'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 Free 2, Sony LinkBuds S have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
Sony LinkBuds S has a lower liquid rating than JBL Live Free 2
JBL Live Free 2 have a weight of 9.8g . We prefer a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.
The Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g weigh less than the JBL Live Free 2 by -0.2g True wireless devices have no cables connecting any part of the device together, JBL Live Free 2 are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is a major difference since wireless earbuds have cables linking the 2 earbuds together. Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires linking the two earbuds . JBL Live Free 2 have sweat resistance Sony LinkBuds S's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal 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 Sony LinkBuds S also have stereo speakers ANC makes use of more advanced technology to actively cancel noise. ANC works when, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and generates a mirror signal to counter it. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (noise) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) giving 0 resulting in a reduced level of noise.
The JBL Live Free 2 have ANC enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't need to crank up the device volume to overcome background sounds. The Sony LinkBuds S too have ANC making both earbuds ideal for flights and morning commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the setting that suits your commute or that enhances your chill time.
JBL Live Free 2 stay well in place, creating a sound covering that reduces your environment sounds and also prevents the device sound from leaking out . Both Sony LinkBuds S, and JBL Live Free 2 have passive noise reduction this means that they limit ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out. JBL Live Free 2 have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, the unit size determines the loudness of the earbuds.
Sony LinkBuds S driver unit is 5mm in diameter,
which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of JBL Live Free 2 by 6mm
, 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 yeah, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound. JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio device produces low recognizable frequencies and if it alters the signal on its way through.
Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that both devices produce equal bass The JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device generates high human frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal on its way through. Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this means that Sony LinkBuds S can produce a clearer and crispier treble than the JBL Live Free 2 SPL, 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.
The 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 usually given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. Sony LinkBuds S's battery life is less than that of JBL Live Free 2 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 a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time. This is given by the manufacturer, 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 having to recharge the case itself.
Sony LinkBuds S's charging case has a battery life of 14 hours, less than that of JBL Live Free 2 by 14 hours 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 earbuds and charging case. Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you determine the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low.
The JBL Live Free 2 use USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable. Sony LinkBuds S too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current electronics.
JBL Live Free 2 have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Sony LinkBuds S has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, equal to that of the JBL Live Free 2 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The JBL Live Free 2 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.
Sony LinkBuds S have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the JBL Live Free 2 The JBL Live Free 2 have 6 microphones. While the Sony LinkBuds S microphones are 6, equal to that of the JBL Live Free 2 . More microphones result in better sound quality and help the device to filter out noise. JBL Live Free 2 have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out noise from the earbuds' sound.
JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even when wearing them The Sony LinkBuds S support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music while being aware of your surrounding, for example when you’re having a jog but would still want to be able to hear traffic. The JBL Live Free 2 support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the time it takes to charge a device.
Also the Sony LinkBuds S too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, only that the battery fills up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in just thirty minutes.
JBL Live Free 2 have a multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. The JBL Live Free 2 have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The Sony LinkBuds S also support this function. It means that you can turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party's voice. The JBL Live Free 2, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds.
The Sony LinkBuds S also have a control panel on them. JBL Live Free 2 have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection.
Sony LinkBuds S too support voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them. JBL Live Free 2 come with a special case. Carrying earphones without a case, or putting them in your bag without a cover can easily damage them.
Sony LinkBuds S also have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.