JBL Tune Flex
See price on AmazonOverall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
JBL Wave Beam
See price on AmazonOverall Score 6.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | JBL Tune Flex | JBL Wave Beam |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IP54 |
weight | 9.6g | 8.8g | |
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 | 8mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 108dB/mW | 100dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 8hours | 8hours |
battery life of charging case | 24hours | 24hours | |
charge time | 2hours | 2hours | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 4only | 2only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
mic sensitivity | -38dBV/Pa | ✗ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✓ |
has find earbuds feature | ✓ | ✓ | |
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 |
IP ratings refer to the rating of protection offered by a casing, against solids and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (water).
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 the second number of 4 means 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, JBL Wave Beam 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 consider a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.
JBL Wave Beam, at 8.8g weigh less than the JBL Tune Flex with a difference -0.8g For a device to be true wireless it should have no cables linking any part of the device together, JBL Tune Flex are true wireless for this matter since they have no cables. This is a major difference as some wireless earbuds have wires linking the pair of earbuds . JBL Wave Beam also is true wireless because it doesn't have cables linking the pair of earbuds . JBL Tune Flex have sweat resistance JBL Wave Beam's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc JBL Tune Flex have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience. The JBL Wave Beam also have stereo speakers ANC makes use of advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds.
How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and after generates a mirror signal to counter it. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving 0 resulting in a reduced level of noise.
The JBL Tune Flex have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background sounds.
JBL Wave Beam too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes both earbuds ideal for flights and rush hour travels. Each operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting that you prefer for travel or that enhances your relaxation time. JBL Tune Flex sit well in place, creating a sound seal that reduces your environment noise well as preventing the device sound from leaking out at the same.
Both JBL Wave Beam, and JBL Tune Flex have passive noise reduction this implies that they limit 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 basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the device, its size corellates with the sound produced by the earbuds.
JBL Wave Beam driver unit is 8mm in diameter,
which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of JBL Tune Flex by 4mm
, 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 yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound. JBL Tune Flex's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.
JBL Wave Beam's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that both devices can produce equal bass The JBL Tune Flex's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio device makes high recognizable frequencies and if it changes to the signal on its way through. JBL Wave Beam's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies 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.
JBL Wave Beam's sound pressure level measurement is 100dB/mW. How loud a device is can be perceived differently by separate people, so we need to have a way of getting an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms. 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 have to charge the device less often. JBL Wave Beam's battery life is equal to that of the JBL Tune Flex . Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing 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 manufacturer, and the JBL Tune Flex's case has a full 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. JBL Wave Beam's charging case has a battery life of 24 hours, equal to that of the JBL Tune Flex 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 when they have been unused for extended periods. JBL Wave Beam takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery, equal to that of the JBL Tune Flex The JBL Tune Flex have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights display the charging status of your earbuds and charging case.
JBL Wave Beam too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to determine the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or having a low battery. The JBL Tune Flex use USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable. JBL Wave Beam too have USB TYPE-C.
This USB-C plug comes along with most current laptops, phones, and tablets. JBL Tune Flex 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. JBL Wave Beam has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, equal to that of the JBL Tune Flex . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
The JBL Tune Flex have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth. JBL Wave Beam 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.
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 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.
JBL Tune Flex have 4 microphones. JBL Wave Beam microphones are 2, less than that of JBL Tune Flex by 2 . More microphones result in better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds. The JBL Tune Flex have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to filter out background sounds from the desired sound.
The JBL Wave Beam too use a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is 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 measure of its sensitivity. It's the 'loudness' of the voice that the microphone can pick up. JBL Tune Flex support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound to still be heard even while wearing them The JBL Wave Beam 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 would still want to be able to hear traffic.
If misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, JBL Tune Flex have a find earbuds feature. The JBL Wave Beam also 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. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge a device. JBL Wave Beam support fast charging.
This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in thirty minutes. The JBL Tune Flex 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 JBL Tune Flex have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The JBL Wave Beam also support this function.
It means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk. With the JBL Tune Flex, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds. JBL Wave Beam too have a control panel on them.
JBL Tune Flex support voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection. JBL Wave Beam too have voice prompts meaning the device will notify you when the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them.
JBL Tune Flex come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds without a case, or putting them inside your bag without a casing can easily damage them. JBL Wave Beam also have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.