IP ratings refer to the level of protection offered by an enclosure, against solids and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value represents protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to protection 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 the second value of 4 means 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, Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a rating of IP54 meaning that
ingress of dust is not totally prevented but dust does not enter in harmful quantities to interfere with the correct operation or impair safety
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
JBL Tune Flex have a weight of 9.6g . We prefer a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7, at 50g
weigh more than the JBL Tune Flex with a difference of 40.4g
For a device to be true wireless it must have no wires linking any part of the device together, JBL Tune Flex are true wireless for this case since they have no cables. This is an important difference as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the pair of earbuds .
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires connecting the 2 earbuds .
JBL Tune Flex have sweat resistance
JBL Tune Flex have stereo speakers, what this means is that JBL Tune Flex's speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience. Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7 and JBL Tune Flex have stereo speakers
ANC utilises advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds.
ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and inverts the soundwaves to counter it. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then producing -1 (inverted noise) to make zero therefore "diluting" the noise.
JBL Tune Flex have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue since you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background sounds.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have ANC making both devices ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. The JBL Tune Flex and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the mode that suits your commute or that enhances your relaxation time. The JBL Tune Flex sit well in place, creating a sound covering that reduces background noise while preventing the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same.
Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7, and JBL Tune Flex have passive noise reduction this means that they limit ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out. JBL Tune Flex driver unit is 12mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the earbuds, the unit size determines the sound produced by the earbuds.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 driver unit is 9.2mm in diameter,
which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of JBL Tune Flex by 2.8mm
, a common assumption 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 can generate louder sound, but this does not imply that they produce better quality sound. The JBL Tune Flex's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal while at it.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, this implies that
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 can produce a juicier bass than the JBL Tune Flex
The JBL Tune Flex's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio component generates high audible frequencies and if it changes to the signal on its way through. Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that
both devices generate equal treble
The sound pressure level, is the level of pressure of sound, 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.
JBL Tune Flex'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 more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings. Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery life is
less than that of JBL Tune Flex by 3.5 hours
. Every 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 no longer play for long like they used to. The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and the JBL Tune Flex's case has a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before recharging the case itself.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7's charging case has a battery life of 18 hours,
less than that of JBL Tune Flex by 6 hours
It takes 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Tune Flex's battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 takes 3 hours to fully charge the battery,
more than that of JBL Tune Flex by 1 hours
JBL Tune Flex have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the earbuds has a low battery.
Its lights display the charging state of your device and charging case. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low. JBL Tune Flex have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current electronics. JBL Tune Flex have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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 to connect via Bluetooth. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the JBL Tune Flex
JBL Tune Flex support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because 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 JBL Tune Flex will work well with your iPhone.
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 Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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 Bowers & Wilkins PI7 microphones are 6,
more than that of JBL Tune Flex by 2
. More microphones record better sound quality and enable the device to filter out noise. JBL Tune Flex have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out background sounds from the earbuds' sound.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a noise-canceling microphone. This is useful in noisy areas. The JBL Tune Flex microphone sensitivity is measured at -38dBV/Pa.
The vastness 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 sound that the microphone can recognize. The JBL Tune Flex support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound to still be heard even when wearing them
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music while being aware of your surrounding, for example when you’re having a run but would still want to hear traffic.
When lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, JBL Tune Flex support the find earbuds feature. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have the find earbuds feature. Use the device app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your device to find them.
The JBL Tune Flex support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge the earbuds. Also the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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 30 minutes. JBL Tune Flex have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them.
For example, you can switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect. JBL Tune Flex have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support this function.
It means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk. With the JBL Tune Flex, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a control panel on them.
The JBL Tune Flex support voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also support voice prompts meaning the earbuds notifies you if the battery is low, and you need to recharge the device.
JBL Tune Flex come with their own special case. Carrying earphones openly, or putting them inside your bag without a cover may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.
