Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
See price on AmazonOverall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
JBL Wave Beam
See price on AmazonOverall Score 6.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
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 | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
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.