Overall Score 6.2 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 5.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | JBL Live Free 2 | Sony LinkBuds S |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX5 | IPX4 |
weight | 9.8g | 9.6g | |
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 | 5mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20000Hz | 40000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 102dB/mW | ✗ | |
has a neodymium magnet | ✗ | ✓ | |
POWER | battery life | 7hours | 6hours |
battery life of charging case | 28hours | 14hours | |
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 |
Ingress protection ratings is the level of protection given by a casing, against solids and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance 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 the second number 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, 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,
JBL Live Free 2 has a higher liquid rating than Sony LinkBuds S
JBL Live Free 2 have a weight of 9.8g . We prefer a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.
Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g
weigh less than the JBL Live Free 2 by -0.2g
For a device to be true wireless it should have no wires connecting any part of the device together, JBL Live Free 2 are true wireless for this case since they don't have wires. This is a major difference as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the two earbuds together.
Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless since it doesn't have cables linking the pair of earbuds together.
JBL Live Free 2 have sweat resistance
Sony LinkBuds S's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc
JBL Live Free 2 have stereo speakers, what this means is that JBL Live Free 2's speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The Sony LinkBuds S also have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation uses more advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. How it works, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and generates a mirror signal to counter it. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving 0 thus "diluting" the noise.
JBL Live Free 2 have ANC allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears since you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise.
Sony LinkBuds S too have Active Noise Cancellation making both earbuds ideal for flights and rush hour travels. The JBL Live Free 2 and Sony LinkBuds S work with different noise cancellation types, pick the setting that you prefer for travel or that suites your relaxation time.
The JBL Live Free 2 sit well in place, creating a sound seal that tones down your environment noise and also prevents the device music from leaking out at the same.
Both Sony LinkBuds S, and JBL Live Free 2 have passive noise reduction this 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, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass.
The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, its size dictates the sound produced by the device.
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 usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better quality sound.
JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio component generates low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal while at it.
Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
both devices can make sound with equal bass
The JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well an audio device generates high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.
Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40000Hz, this implies that
Sony LinkBuds S can generate a clearer and crispier treble than the JBL Live Free 2
The sound pressure level, is the pressure level of sound, measured 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.
Sony LinkBuds S have neodymium magnets, if used in earbuds produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output using less power to do so. They can help produce music at quite a high sound pressure level, using high magnetic flux.
The JBL Live Free 2's battery life is 7 hours, 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 chanrgings.
Sony LinkBuds S's battery life is
less than that of JBL Live Free 2 by 1 hours
. Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.
This is given by the vendor, and the JBL Live Free 2's case is said to have 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.
Sony LinkBuds S's charging case has a battery life of 14 hours,
less than that of JBL Live Free 2 by 14 hours
It requires 2 hours to fully charge the Sony LinkBuds S's battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.
JBL Live Free 2 have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights show the charging state of your device and charging case.
Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you determine the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.
JBL Live Free 2 use USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
Sony LinkBuds S too support USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of 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.
JBL Live Free 2 have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.
Sony LinkBuds S have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the JBL Live Free 2
Sony LinkBuds S 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.
Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Sony LinkBuds S will work well with your MacBook. If you intend on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.
Sony LinkBuds 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 can reach a high bitrate of 990kbps, which provides high-resolution audio.
JBL Live Free 2 have 6 microphones.
Sony LinkBuds S microphones are 6,
equal to that of the JBL Live Free 2
. More microphones record better sound quality and help the device to filter out background sounds.
The JBL Live Free 2 have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce noise from the desired sound.
JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises so that they can still be heard even when wearing the earbuds
The Sony LinkBuds S support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music while being aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a run but would still want to hear traffic.
Sony LinkBuds S support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears .
When misplaced in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Sony LinkBuds S support the find earbuds feature.
JBL Live Free 2 support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the time it takes to fully charge a device.
The Sony LinkBuds S support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in just 30 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 manually disconnect and reconnect.
The JBL Live Free 2 have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.
The Sony LinkBuds S too support this function. It means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk.
With the JBL Live Free 2, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds.
Sony LinkBuds S too have a control panel on them.
JBL Live Free 2 support voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.
The Sony LinkBuds S too have voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you when the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them.
JBL Live Free 2 come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds without a case, or placing them inside your pockets without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.
Sony LinkBuds S too have a case included, which offers safe transportation.