Overall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | JBL Tune Flex | Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
weight | 9.6g | 8.56g | |
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 | 12mm | 11mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 10Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 108dB/mW | ✗ | |
POWER | battery life | 8hours | 6hours |
battery life of charging case | 24hours | 30hours | |
charge time | 2hours | 0.3hours | |
has wireless charging | ✗ | ✓ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✗ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 4only | 6only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
mic sensitivity | -38dBV/Pa | ✗ | |
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 | ✓ | ✓ | |
warranty period | ✗ | 1Years | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
IP ratings is the level of protection given by an enclosure, against dust and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).
Scoring IPX4, the JBL Tune Flex's rating is read as, the first number of X denotes that no data available to specify a protection rating, and of liquids that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. Compared to the JBL Tune Flex, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
The JBL Tune Flex have a weight of 9.6g . We take in account a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), at 8.56g weigh less than the JBL Tune Flex with a difference -1.04g True wireless devices have no wires linking any part of the device together, JBL Tune Flex are true wireless for this matter since they don't have wires. This is a major distinction since wireless earbuds have cables connecting the 2 earbuds . Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also is true wireless since it has no wires connecting the two earbuds together. JBL Tune Flex are resistant to sweat Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'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 Tune Flex have stereo speakers, what this means is that JBL Tune Flex's speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
Both Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) and JBL Tune Flex have stereo speakers ANC uses advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (inverted noise) to make zero therefore "diluting" the noise.
The JBL Tune Flex have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears since you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have ANC which makes either of the devices ideal for plane rides and rush hour travels. The JBL Tune Flex and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) work with different noise cancellation types, pick the setting that you prefer for commute or that suites your relaxation time.
The JBL Tune Flex stay well in place, this creates a sound seal that tones down your environment sounds and also prevents the device sound from leaking out . Both Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), and JBL Tune Flex have passive noise reduction this implies that they reduce ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out. JBL Tune Flex driver unit is 12mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the earbuds, the unit size corellates with the loudness of the earbuds.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter,
which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of JBL Tune Flex by 1mm
, as many tend to believe 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 can generate louder sound, but this does not indicate that they produce better quality sound. JBL Tune Flex's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio device produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal while at it.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, this means that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can make sound with a juicier bass than the JBL Tune Flex JBL Tune Flex's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component produces high human frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices produce equal treble SPL, is the pressure level of sound, measured in decibels, dB, JBL Tune Flex's measurement is 108dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.
The JBL Tune Flex's battery life is 8 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is less than that of JBL Tune Flex by 2 hours . Each 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 no longer play for long like they used to. This is given by the vendor, and JBL Tune Flex's case is said to have a full charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before recharging the case itself.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s charging case has a battery life of 30 hours, more than that of JBL Tune Flex by 6 hours It requires 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Tune Flex's battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for extended periods. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) takes 0.3 hours to fully charge the battery, less than that of JBL Tune Flex by 1.7 hours JBL Tune Flex have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery.
The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your earbuds and case. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 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 Tune Flex have USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
The JBL Tune Flex have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) has a Bluetooth version of 5, older than that of JBL Tune Flex . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The JBL Tune Flex have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the JBL Tune Flex JBL Tune Flex 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.
Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the JBL Tune Flex will work well with your MacBook. If you are planning 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. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support AAC as well.
Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate. JBL Tune Flex have 4 microphones. While the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) microphones are 6, more than that of JBL Tune Flex by 2 . More microphones record better sound quality and help the device to filter out noise.
The JBL Tune Flex have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to reduce noise from the desired sound. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. Especially useful in noisy areas.
The JBL Tune Flex microphone sensitivity is measured at -38dBV/Pa. The extent of the analog or digital output signal from the microphone with its input stimulus is a measure of its sensitivity. It's the 'loudness' of the voice that the earbud microphone can pick up.
JBL Tune Flex support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises so that they can still be heard even while wearing them When misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, JBL Tune Flex have a find earbuds feature. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have the find earbuds feature. Simply use the earbuds app on your phone to play a sound from your device to find them.
JBL Tune Flex support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to charge a device. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too support fast charging.
This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in thirty minutes. JBL Tune Flex support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them.
For example, you can switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a multipoint count of 2, equal to that of the JBL Tune Flex . Bluetooth multipoint comes in handy when you can be on one call and not miss notifications from another connected device. The JBL Tune Flex have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also have this function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party talk. The JBL Tune Flex, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also have a control panel on them. The JBL Tune Flex have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have voice prompts meaning the device notifies you if the battery is low, and you need to recharge the earbuds. The JBL Tune Flex come with their own special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them in your bag without a casing may easily damage them.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have a case included, which offers safe transportation.