Sony WF 1000XM4
See price on AmazonOverall Score 8.3 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 WF 1000XM4 | JBL Live Free 2 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
weight | 7.1g | 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 | 6mm | 11mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 40,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 105dB/mW | 102dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 8hours | 7hours |
battery life of charging case | 16hours | 28hours | |
charge time | 1.5hours | ✗ | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✗ | |
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 | ✓ | ✗ | |
has aptx hd | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 4only | 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 | 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 offered by a casing, against dust and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value represents protection against solids say 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 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.
In comparison to the JBL Live Free 2, Sony WF 1000XM4 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 WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2 have a weight of 9.8g . We consider a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.
The Sony WF 1000XM4, at 7.1g
weigh less than the JBL Live Free 2 with a difference -2.7g
For a device to be true wireless it should 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 key distinction as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the 2 earbuds together.
Sony WF 1000XM4 also is true wireless since it doesn't have cables linking the pair of earbuds .
JBL Live Free 2 have sweat resistance
Sony WF 1000XM4's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during 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, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 also have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation utilises advanced technology to actively cancel noise. How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and after generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.
The JBL Live Free 2 have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to overcome background noise.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have Active Noise Cancellation making both earbuds ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. The JBL Live Free 2 and Sony WF 1000XM4 operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the setting that you prefer for travel or that suites your chill time.
JBL Live Free 2 stay well in place, this creates a sound seal that reduces your environment sounds and also prevents the earbuds music from leaking out at the same.
Both Sony WF 1000XM4, and JBL Live Free 2 have passive noise reduction this implies that both tone down ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.
The JBL Live Free 2 have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass.
The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, the unit size corellates with the loudness of the device.
Sony WF 1000XM4 driver unit is 6mm in diameter,
which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of JBL Live Free 2 by 5mm
, 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 it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not imply that they deliver better quality sound.
JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.
Sony WF 1000XM4's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that
both devices can produce equal bass
JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component produces high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal while at it.
Sony WF 1000XM4's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this implies that
Sony WF 1000XM4 can produce a clearer and crispier treble than the JBL Live Free 2
The sound pressure level, is the level of pressure 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.
Sony WF 1000XM4's sound pressure level measurement is 105dB/mW. The sound pressure level, something is can be perceived differently by separate people, so we need to have the means to get a standard measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.
JBL Live Free 2's battery life is 7 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 longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
Sony WF 1000XM4's battery life is
more than that of JBL Live Free 2 by 1 hours
. Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.
This 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 many times before recharging the case itself.
Sony WF 1000XM4's charging case has a battery life of 16 hours,
less than that of JBL Live Free 2 by 12 hours
It takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the Sony WF 1000XM4's battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.
The Sony WF 1000XM4, the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply place down on a compatible charging pad.
JBL Live Free 2 have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights display the charging status of your earbuds and case.
Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to determine the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or having a low battery.
The JBL Live Free 2 support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.
Sony WF 1000XM4 too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current laptops, phones, and tablets.
JBL Live Free 2 have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Sony WF 1000XM4 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 WF 1000XM4 have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF 1000XM4 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 a similar bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Sony WF 1000XM4 will work fine with your iPhone. If you intend on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.
Sony WF 1000XM4 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, providing high-resolution audio.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 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.
Sony WF 1000XM4 microphones are 4,
less than that of JBL Live Free 2 by 2
. More microphones record better sound quality and help the device to filter out noise.
JBL Live Free 2 use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce background sounds from the desired sound.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is useful in noisy areas.
The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound so that they can still be heard even while wearing them
The Sony WF 1000XM4 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of your surrounding, say you’re having a run but would still want to be able to hear traffic.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused.
When misplaced in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, Sony WF 1000XM4 support the find earbuds feature.
The JBL Live Free 2 support fast charging. Most often, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge a device.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 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 thirty minutes.
JBL Live Free 2 support 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 Sony WF 1000XM4 support multipoint count of 2,
equal to that of the JBL Live Free 2
. Bluetooth multipoint is useful because you can be on one call without missing notifications coming from another connected device.
JBL Live Free 2 have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too support this function. It means that you unilaterally turn off the device's 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.
Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a control panel on them.
The JBL Live Free 2 support voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection.
Sony WF 1000XM4 also support voice prompts meaning the device will notify you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge them.
JBL Live Free 2 come with their own special case. Carrying earphones openly, or placing them inside your bag without a cover may easily damage them.
Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.