Home Wireless Earbuds Jbl Wave Beam Vs. Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen)

Jbl Wave Beam Vs. Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Review

Last updated on Aug 18, 2024   13 minute read
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Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

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Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 6 hours
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
VS
JBL Wave Beam

JBL Wave Beam

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Reasons why you might like the JBL Wave Beam

Overall Score 6.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IP54
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 8 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 2 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode

Jbl Wave Beam Vs. Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Review In Summary

Category Features Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) JBL Wave Beam
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating IPX4 IP54
weight 8.56g 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 11mm 8mm
lowest frequency 10Hz 20Hz
highest frequency 20,000Hz 20,000Hz
sound pressure level 100dB/mW
POWER battery life 6hours 8hours
battery life of charging case 30hours 24hours
charge time 0.3hours 2hours
has wireless charging
has a battery level indicator
CONNECTIVITY has usb type-c
bluetooth version v5 v5.2
maximum bluetooth range 10meters 10meters
has aac
MICROPHONE number of microphones 6only 2only
has a noise-canceling microphone
EXTRAS has ambient sound mode
has in/on-ear detection
has find earbuds feature
supports fast charging
multipoint count 2only
has a mute function
control panel placed on a device
warranty period 1Years
has voice prompts
travel bag is included
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Ingress protection ratings refer to the level of protection given by a casing, against dust and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value represents protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (water).

Scoring IP54, the JBL Wave Beam's rating for solids indicates 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 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 Wave Beam, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a rating of IPX4 meaning that no data available to specify a protection rating and that of liquids is that, they both have the same rating against liquids The JBL Wave Beam have a weight of 8.8g . We take in account a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are easier to transport.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), at 8.56g are lighter than the JBL Wave Beam by -0.24g For a device to be true wireless it should have no cables connecting any part of the device together, JBL Wave Beam are true wireless for this matter since they don't have cables. This is an important distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the 2 earbuds . Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires connecting the two earbuds . JBL Wave Beam are resistant to sweat Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc JBL Wave Beam have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation uses advanced kind of tech to actively cancel noise.

How it works, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (noise) and producing -1 (counter sound by the device) to make 0 therefore "diluting" the noise.

The JBL Wave Beam have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the device volume to outcompete background noise.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes both earbuds ideal for plane rides and rush hour commutes. Each work with different noise cancellation types, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for commute or that enhances your relaxation time. The JBL Wave Beam stay tightly in place, this creates an acoustic covering that tones down your environment sounds and also prevents the earbuds music from leaking out at the same.

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this means that both reduce ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out. The JBL Wave Beam driver unit is 8mm 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 device, the unit size corellates with the sound produced by the device.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making them have a larger driver unit than that of JBL Wave Beam by 3mm , 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 indicate that they deliver better quality sound. JBL Wave Beam's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio component produces low recognizable frequencies 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 Wave Beam The JBL Wave Beam's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well an audio component produces high human frequencies and if it changes to the signal while at it. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices can generate equal treble SPL, is the level of pressure of sound, in decibels, dB, JBL Wave Beam's measurement is 100dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.

JBL Wave Beam'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 more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is less than that of JBL Wave Beam by 2 hours . Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time.

The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time. This is given by the manufacturer, and JBL Wave Beam's case is said to have a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before having to recharge the case itself.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s charging case has a battery life of 30 hours, more than that of JBL Wave Beam by 6 hours It requires 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Wave Beam's battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for long periods. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) takes 0.3 hours to fully charge the battery, less than that of JBL Wave Beam by 1.7 hours JBL Wave Beam have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery.

The battery indicator lights indicate the charging state of your earbuds and case. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have a battery level indicator, these allow you to determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery. JBL Wave Beam have USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.

JBL Wave Beam 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. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) has a Bluetooth version of 5, older than that of JBL Wave Beam . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. JBL Wave Beam have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the JBL Wave Beam The JBL Wave Beam have 2 microphones. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) microphones are 6, more than that of JBL Wave Beam by 4 . More microphones record better sound quality and help the device to filter out noise. The JBL Wave Beam use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to reduce background sounds from the earbuds' sound.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too use a noise-canceling type of microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments. JBL Wave Beam support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even while wearing the earbuds If lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the JBL Wave Beam have a find earbuds feature.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also have the find earbuds feature. You can use the earbuds app on your smartphone to play a sound from your earbuds to help you locate them. JBL Wave Beam support fast charging.

Commonly, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to charge the earbuds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 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 is charged to 50% in just 30 minutes. JBL Wave Beam have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also have the mute function.

The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice. With the JBL Wave Beam, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also have a control panel on them.

JBL Wave Beam have voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also have voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you when the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds.

The JBL Wave Beam come with their own special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or placing them inside your pockets without a casing may easily damage them. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have a case included, which offers safe transportation.

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