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 |
IP ratings is the level of protection offered by an enclosure, against solids and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to protection 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 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. 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
JBL Wave Beam have a weight of 8.8g . We take in account a lower weight better because lighter devices are easier to carry.
The 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 connecting any part of the device together, JBL Wave Beam are true wireless for this case since they don't have cables. This is a key difference since wireless earbuds have wires linking the 2 earbuds . Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also is true wireless because it has no wires linking the pair of 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, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience. Both Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) and JBL Wave Beam have stereo speakers ANC uses more advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds.
How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and after generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then 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 levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have ANC making either of the earbuds ideal for plane rides and morning travels. The JBL Wave Beam and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) work with different noise cancellation types, pick the setting that suits your commute or that enhances your relaxation time. JBL Wave Beam sit well in place, this creates an acoustic covering that tones down background noise well as preventing the earbuds sound from leaking out . Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that both reduce ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.
JBL Wave Beam have a unit size of 8mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, its size dictates the sound made by the earbuds. 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 can generate louder sound, but this does not imply that they deliver better quality sound. JBL Wave Beam's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio device generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to 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
The JBL Wave Beam's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio device makes high human frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal on its way through.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that both devices can generate equal treble SPL, is the pressure level 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 longer battery life, 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 . Every time you recharge your device, 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 manufacturer, and the JBL Wave Beam'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 several 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 requires 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Wave Beam's battery.
It is recommended 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 The JBL Wave Beam have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights show the charging status of your device and charging case.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to tell the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low. JBL Wave Beam support USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable. The JBL Wave Beam have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables 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 JBL Wave Beam have 2 microphones.
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 noise. JBL Wave Beam use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out noise from the desired sound. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have a noise-canceling microphone.
Especially useful in noisy areas. The JBL Wave Beam support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises to still be heard even while wearing the earbuds If misplaced 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.
Use the device app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your device to help you locate them. JBL Wave Beam support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to charge the earbuds.
Also the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in thirty minutes.
The JBL Wave Beam have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have the mute function. It means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk.
With the JBL Wave Beam, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) too have a control panel on them. JBL Wave Beam have voice prompts.
With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also have voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you when the battery is low, and you need to recharge them. JBL Wave Beam come with a special case.
Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them in your bag without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) also have a case included, which offers safe transportation.