Home Wireless Earbuds Jbl Live Free 2 Vs. Sony Wf 1000Xm4

A Review By Comparison of the Jbl Live Free 2 Vs. Sony Wf 1000Xm4

Last updated on Apr 20, 2023   8 minute read
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Sony WF 1000XM4

Sony WF 1000XM4

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Reasons why you might like the Sony WF 1000XM4

Overall Score 7.9 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 8 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 4 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 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 an earbud foam
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
has a neodymium magnet
POWER battery life 8hours 7hours
battery life of charging case 16hours 28hours
charge time 1.5hours
battery power 40mah
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
audio latency 40ms
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
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A breakdown of the review per specifications

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Sony WF 1000XM4 ipX4
JBL Live Free 2 ipX5

Ingress protection ratings is the rating of protection offered by an enclosure, against solids and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (sweat).

Scoring IPX5, the JBL Live Free 2's rating is read as, the first value of X denotes 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.

Compared 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

Weight

Sony WF 1000XM4 7.1g
JBL Live Free 2 9.8g

JBL Live Free 2 have a weight of 9.8g . We take in account a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to move with.

The Sony WF 1000XM4, at 7.1g weigh less than the JBL Live Free 2 with a difference -2.7g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

True wireless devices have no wires linking 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 since wireless earbuds have cables linking the pair of earbuds .

Sony WF 1000XM4 also is true wireless because it doesn't have cables linking the two earbuds .

Sweat Resistance

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

JBL Live Free 2 are resistant to sweat

Sony WF 1000XM4's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc

Has An Earbud Foam

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

The earbud foam is designed to be ultracompact and lightweight, with little interference with earrings, spectacles, hats, or hairstyles. The Sony WF 1000XM4 have an earbud foam to some it is more comfortable than the in-ear foam.

Has Stereo Speakers

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

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, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.

Both Sony WF 1000XM4 and JBL Live Free 2 have stereo speakers

Sony WF 1000XM4
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

Active noise cancellation utilises advanced kind of tech to actively counter noise. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then producing -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 thus "diluting" the noise.

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 outcompete background noise.

Sony WF 1000XM4 too have Active Noise Cancellation making either of the devices ideal for plane rides and rush hour travels. Each work with different noise cancellation settings, pick the mode that you prefer for travel or that enhances your chill time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

The JBL Live Free 2 stay tightly in place, creating a sound covering that tones down your environment noise well as preventing the device voice audio from leaking out .

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this implies that they limit ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Sony WF 1000XM4 6mm
JBL Live Free 2 11mm

The JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is the component that makes sound in the device, its size dictates the loudness of the earbuds.

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 find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

Sony WF 1000XM4 20hz
JBL Live Free 2 20hz

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 makes any changes to the signal while at it.

Sony WF 1000XM4's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that both devices can make sound with equal bass

Highest Frequency

Sony WF 1000XM4 40,000hz
JBL Live Free 2 20,000hz

The JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component makes high audible frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal while at it.

Sony WF 1000XM4's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this means that Sony WF 1000XM4 generate a clearer and crispier treble than the JBL Live Free 2

Sound Pressure Level

Sony WF 1000XM4 105db/mw
JBL Live Free 2 102db/mw

The sound pressure level, is the level of pressure 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 WF 1000XM4's sound pressure level measurement is 105dB/mW. How loud something is can be considered differently by different people, so we need to have a way of getting a standard measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.

Has A Neodymium Magnet

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

Sony WF 1000XM4 have neodymium magnets, if used in earbuds produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output while using less power. They can help produce music at quite a high SPL, with the use of high magnetic flux.

Power

Battery Life

Sony WF 1000XM4 8hours
JBL Live Free 2 7hours

The 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 more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings.

Sony WF 1000XM4's battery life is more than that of JBL Live Free 2 by 1 hours . Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Sony WF 1000XM4 16hours
JBL Live Free 2 28hours

The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and the JBL Live Free 2's case has a full charge of 28 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before having to recharge 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

Charge Time

Sony WF 1000XM4 1.5hours
JBL Live Free 2

It requires 1.5 hours to fully charge the Sony WF 1000XM4's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.

Battery Power

Sony WF 1000XM4 40mah
JBL Live Free 2

Sony WF 1000XM4's battery power is 40mAh, battery power, shows the amount of electrical energy that a battery can keep.

Has Wireless Charging

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

The Sony WF 1000XM4, the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you just place down on a supported charging pad.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

The JBL Live Free 2 have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging state of your earbuds and charging case.

Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you tell the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or having a low battery.

Sony WF 1000XM4
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Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

The JBL Live Free 2 have USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.

Sony WF 1000XM4 too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current laptops, phones, and tablets.

Bluetooth Version

Sony WF 1000XM4 v5.2
JBL Live Free 2 v5.2

The JBL Live Free 2 have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement between devices placed in close proximity, 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.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Sony WF 1000XM4 10meters
JBL Live Free 2 10meters

The JBL Live Free 2 have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.

Sony WF 1000XM4 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the JBL Live Free 2

Has Aac

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

Sony WF 1000XM4 support AAC, a codec 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.

Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Sony WF 1000XM4 will work well with your iPhone. If you intend 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.

Has Ldac

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

The 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.

Has Aptx Hd

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

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).

Audio Latency

Sony WF 1000XM4 40ms
JBL Live Free 2

Latency refers to the time it takes for the audio signal to be transmitted to your earbuds. Sony WF 1000XM4 have a latency of 40ms, a lower latency reduces audio lag and is particularly important when playing games or watching videos.

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Sony WF 1000XM4 4only
JBL Live Free 2 6only

The JBL Live Free 2 have 6 microphones.

The Sony WF 1000XM4 microphones are 4, less than that of JBL Live Free 2 by 2 . More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out background sounds.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

JBL Live Free 2 have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce noise from the desired sound.

The Sony WF 1000XM4 too use a noise-canceling microphone. This is useful in noisy environments.

Sony WF 1000XM4
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Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound to still be heard even while wearing the earbuds

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, for example when you’re having a run but still want to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

The Sony WF 1000XM4 have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused.

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

When misplaced in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, Sony WF 1000XM4 have a find earbuds feature.

Supports Fast Charging

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

JBL Live Free 2 support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to charge a device.

The Sony WF 1000XM4 too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in just 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

Sony WF 1000XM4 2only
JBL Live Free 2 2only

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 easily switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.

The Sony WF 1000XM4 have a multipoint count of 2, equal to that of the JBL Live Free 2 . Bluetooth multipoint is useful because you can be on one call and not miss notifications from another device.

Has A Mute Function

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

The JBL Live Free 2 have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.

The Sony WF 1000XM4 also support the mute function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

With the JBL Live Free 2, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the device.

Sony WF 1000XM4 also have a control panel on them.

Has Voice Prompts

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

JBL Live Free 2 support voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection.

The Sony WF 1000XM4 also have voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge them.

Travel Bag Is Included

Sony WF 1000XM4
JBL Live Free 2

JBL Live Free 2 come with their own special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or placing them in your bag without a cover can easily damage them.

Sony WF 1000XM4 also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.

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