Overall Score 6.0 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 5.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | JBL Reflect Aero TWS | JBL Live Free 2 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IP68 | IPX5 |
weight | 13g | 9.8g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
wingtips included | ✓ | ✗ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
is dust proof and water-resistant | ✓ | ✗ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 6.8mm | 11mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20000Hz | 20000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 99dB/mW | 102dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 8hours | 7hours |
battery life of charging case | 16hours | 28hours | |
charge time | 1.5hours | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 6only | 6only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✓ |
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 offered by an enclosure, against dust and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value represents protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (water).
Having a value of IP68, the JBL Reflect Aero TWS's rating is read as, the first value of 6 denotes that they are completely dust proof, and of liquids that they are protected against the effects of continuous immersion in water, ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be possible. Conditions should be more severe than for numeral 7..
Compared to the JBL Reflect Aero TWS, JBL Live Free 2 have a rating of IPX5 meaning that
no data available to specify a protection rating
and that of liquids is that,
JBL Reflect Aero TWS has a higher liquid rating than JBL Live Free 2
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS have a weight of 13g . We prefer a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are easier to transport.
JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g
weigh less than the JBL Reflect Aero TWS with a difference -3.2g
For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables connecting any part of the device together, JBL Reflect Aero TWS are true wireless for this case since they have no wires. This is an important difference as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the 2 earbuds .
JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it has no wires linking the two earbuds together.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS come with wingtips, these are commonly used for workout earbuds and are usually an optional add-on to the separate silicone ear tip for a better fit.
JBL Reflect Aero TWS have sweat resistance
JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS are both dustproof and water-resistant.
JBL Reflect Aero TWS have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
Both JBL Live Free 2 and JBL Reflect Aero TWS have stereo speakers
ANC makes use of more advanced kind of tech to actively cancel noise. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears since you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background sounds.
The JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC making either of the devices ideal for flights and morning commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for commute or that suites your chill time.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS sit tightly in place, this creates an acoustic covering that tones down background noise well as preventing the earbuds music from leaking out .
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this implies that they tone down ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out.
JBL Reflect Aero TWS driver unit is 6.8mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass.
A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the device, the unit size determines the sound produced by the device.
JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter,
making them have a larger driver unit than that of JBL Reflect Aero TWS by 4.2mm
, 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 imply that they produce better quality sound.
JBL Reflect Aero TWS's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.
JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
both devices make sound with equal bass
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well an audio device generates high audible frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal on its way through.
JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, this means that
both devices produce equal treble
SPL, is the pressure level of sound, in decibels, dB, JBL Reflect Aero TWS's measurement is 99dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.
JBL Live Free 2's sound pressure level measurement is 102dB/mW. How loud a device is can be considered differently by different people, so we need to have a way of getting an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS's battery life is 8 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.
JBL Live Free 2's battery life is
less than that of JBL Reflect Aero TWS by 1 hours
. Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening 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 manufacturer, and JBL Reflect Aero TWS's case has a charge of 16 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before having to recharge the case itself.
JBL Live Free 2's charging case has a battery life of 28 hours,
more than that of JBL Reflect Aero TWS by 12 hours
It takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the JBL Reflect Aero TWS's battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for long periods.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS 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.
JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you determine the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or having a low battery.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS use USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
JBL Live Free 2 too support USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS 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.
JBL Live Free 2 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2,
equal to that of the JBL Reflect Aero TWS
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.
JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the JBL Reflect Aero TWS
JBL Reflect Aero TWS have 6 microphones.
While the JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6,
equal to that of the JBL Reflect Aero TWS
. More microphones record better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out background sounds.
JBL Reflect Aero TWS use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out noise from the desired sound.
The JBL Live Free 2 too use a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even when wearing them
The JBL Live Free 2 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 still want to be able to hear traffic.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to charge the earbuds.
The JBL Live Free 2 too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in 30 minutes.
The JBL Live Free 2 have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The JBL Live Free 2 too support the mute function. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds.
JBL Live Free 2 also have a control panel on them.
JBL Reflect Aero TWS have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.
The JBL Live Free 2 also have voice prompts .i.e the earbuds notifies you when the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS come with their own special pouch. Carrying earphones openly, or placing them in your bag without a casing may easily put them at risk of getting damaged.
JBL Live Free 2 too have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.