IP ratings refer to the rating of protection offered by an enclosure, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value means protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).
Scoring IP54, the JBL Wave Beam's rating is read as, the first value of 5 denotes 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 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 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 prefer a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), at 8.56g
weigh less than the JBL Wave Beam with a difference -0.24g
For a device to be true wireless it should have no wires linking any part of the device together, JBL Wave Beam are true wireless for this matter since they don't have wires. This is a major distinction since wireless earbuds have cables linking the two earbuds .
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also is true wireless since it has no wires linking the 2 earbuds together. 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.
Both Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) and JBL Wave Beam have stereo speakers
ANC uses advanced technology to actively cancel noise. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and inverts the soundwaves to counter it. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (noise) and producing -1 (counter sound by the device) to make 0 thus "diluting" the noise.
The JBL Wave Beam have ANC enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to overcome background noise. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have ANC which makes either of the earbuds ideal for plane rides and rush hour commutes. Each work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting that you prefer for commute or that suites your chill time.
JBL Wave Beam sit tightly in place, this creates an acoustic seal that tones down background sounds and also prevents the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this implies that both limit ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out. The JBL Wave Beam driver unit is 8mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass.
The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the earbuds, the unit size corellates with the loudness of 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
, 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 yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not indicate that they produce better quality sound.
JBL Wave Beam's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio device produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal while at it. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, this implies that
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can make sound with a juicier bass than the JBL Wave Beam
JBL Wave Beam's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio component generates 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 implies that
both devices generate equal treble
The sound pressure level, is the level of pressure of sound, measured 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 usually 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 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 vendor, and JBL Wave Beam's case is said to have 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. 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 takes 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Wave Beam's battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for extended 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 shows you when the device has a low battery. Its lights indicate the charging state of your device and charging case. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have a battery level indicator, these enable you determine the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or having a low battery.
JBL Wave Beam have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable. JBL Wave Beam 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. 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 connecting 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. While the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) microphones are 6,
more than that of JBL Wave Beam by 4
. More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background sounds.
JBL Wave Beam have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out noise from the desired sound. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too use a noise-canceling microphone. This is useful in noisy areas.
The JBL Wave Beam support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound so that they can still be heard even when wearing the earbuds
When lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, JBL Wave Beam have a find earbuds feature. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have the find earbuds feature. Use the device app on your phone to play an alarm from your device to help you locate them.
JBL Wave Beam support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to charge a device. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging.
It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery fills up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just thirty minutes. The JBL Wave Beam have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have this function. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk. The JBL Wave Beam, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have a control panel on them. The JBL Wave Beam support voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also support voice prompts meaning the device notifies you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds. The JBL Wave Beam come with a special pouch. Carrying earphones openly, or putting them inside your bag without a cover may easily damage them.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.
