IP ratings refer to the rating of protection given by a casing, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Having a value of 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. In comparison 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 take in account a lower weight better because lighter devices are easier to move with.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7, at 50g
are heavier than the JBL Tune Flex by 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 don't have cables. This is a key difference since wireless earbuds have cables connecting the 2 earbuds together. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless because it doesn't have wires linking the pair of 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 separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7 and JBL Tune Flex have stereo speakers
ANC uses advanced kind of tech to actively cancel noise. How it works, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and producing -1 (counter sound by the device) giving zero therefore "diluting" the noise.
The JBL Tune Flex 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. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes both devices ideal for flights and morning commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for commute or that enhances your relaxation time.
JBL Tune Flex sit well in place, creating an acoustic seal that reduces your environment sounds and also prevents the device voice audio from leaking out .
Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7, and JBL Tune Flex have passive noise reduction this implies that they tone down ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out. The JBL Tune Flex driver unit is 12mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the device, its size dictates the loudness of the earbuds.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 driver unit is 9.2mm in diameter,
which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of JBL Tune Flex by 2.8mm
, 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 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 an audio device 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 means that
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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 indicates how well an audio component produces 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 produce equal treble
The sound pressure level, is the level of pressure 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 for a single charge. 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. Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery life is
less than that of JBL Tune Flex by 3.5 hours
. Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time.
The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, 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 charge of 24 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before having to recharge 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 requires 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Tune Flex's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for extended periods. 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 alerts you when the device has a low battery.
Its lights show the charging status of your earbuds and charging case. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you tell the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or having a low battery. The JBL Tune Flex support USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have 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 enables data movement between devices placed in close proximity, 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 that is used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the JBL Tune Flex will work well with your iPad.
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. 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. The JBL Tune Flex have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to reduce background sounds from the desired sound.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too use a noise-canceling type of microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments. 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 calculation of its sensitivity. It's the 'loudness' of the sound that the earbud microphone can recognize. JBL Tune Flex support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound to still be heard even while wearing the earbuds
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music while being aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a jog but still want to be able to hear traffic.
When misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, JBL Tune Flex support the find earbuds feature. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have the find earbuds feature. Use the device app on your smartphone to play a sound from your earbuds to locate them.
JBL Tune Flex support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge the earbuds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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 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 JBL Tune Flex have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have this function.
It means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk. The JBL Tune Flex, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a control panel on them.
JBL Tune Flex support voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have voice prompts meaning the device will notify you if the battery is low, and it's time to recharge them.
JBL Tune Flex come with a special pouch. Carrying earphones openly, or placing them inside your bag without a casing may easily damage them. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.
