JBL Wave Beam
See price on AmazonOverall Score 6.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
JBL Live Free 2
See price on AmazonOverall Score 6.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | JBL Wave Beam | JBL Live Free 2 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IP54 | IPX5 |
weight | 8.8g | 9.8g | |
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 | 8mm | 11mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 100dB/mW | 102dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 8hours | 7hours |
battery life of charging case | 24hours | 28hours | |
charge time | 2hours | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 2only | 6only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
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 level of protection offered by a casing, against solids and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).
Having a value of 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, JBL Live Free 2 have a rating of IPX5 meaning that
no data available to specify a protection rating
and that of liquids is that,
JBL Wave Beam has a lower liquid rating than JBL Live Free 2
JBL Wave Beam have a weight of 8.8g . We prefer a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are easier to move with.
The JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g weigh more than the JBL Wave Beam by of 1g True wireless devices have no wires linking 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 distinction as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the pair of earbuds together. JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it doesn't have wires linking the pair of earbuds . JBL Wave Beam have sweat resistance JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc JBL Wave Beam have stereo speakers, what this means is that JBL Wave Beam's speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The JBL Live Free 2 also have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation utilises advanced kind of tech to actively cancel noise. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and after inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (noise) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving zero which results in a reduced level of noise.
JBL Wave Beam have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears since you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background sounds. JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC making either of the devices ideal for plane rides and morning travels. The JBL Wave Beam and JBL Live Free 2 operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that you prefer for travel or that suites your relaxation time.
JBL Wave Beam stay well in place, this creates an acoustic seal that tones down your environment noise and also prevents the earbuds music from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that they tone down ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out. The JBL Wave Beam have a unit size of 8mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass.
A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, the unit size corellates with the loudness of the earbuds. JBL Live Free 2 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 mean that they produce better quality sound.
JBL Wave Beam's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that both devices can make sound with equal bass The JBL Wave Beam's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well a particular audio device produces high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through. JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that both devices generate equal treble The sound pressure level, 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 Live Free 2's sound pressure level measurement is 102dB/mW. How loud something is can be perceived differently by separate people, so we need to have the means to get an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.
JBL Wave Beam'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 longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings. JBL Live Free 2's battery life is less than that of JBL Wave Beam by 1 hours . 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. The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and the JBL Wave Beam's case has a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before having to recharge the case itself.
JBL Live Free 2's charging case has a battery life of 28 hours, more than that of JBL Wave Beam by 4 hours It takes 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 extended periods. The JBL Wave Beam have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery.
Its lights show the charging state of your earbuds and case. JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to tell the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or having a low battery. The JBL Wave Beam have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
JBL Live Free 2 too use USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current electronics. The JBL Wave Beam have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
JBL Live Free 2 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, equal to that of the JBL Wave Beam . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The JBL Wave Beam have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth. JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the JBL Wave Beam JBL Wave Beam have 2 microphones.
While the JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6, more than that of JBL Wave Beam by 4 . More microphones record better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background sounds. JBL Wave Beam have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce background sounds from the desired sound. The JBL Live Free 2 too use a noise-canceling microphone.
This is useful in noisy environments. JBL Wave Beam support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even when wearing them The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, say you’re having a run but would still want to hear traffic. When lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the JBL Wave Beam have a find earbuds feature.
The JBL Wave Beam support fast charging. Most often, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge a device. The JBL Live Free 2 too support fast charging.
This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just thirty minutes. JBL Wave Beam have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The JBL Live Free 2 also support this function. It means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party's voice. The JBL Wave Beam, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds.
JBL Live Free 2 also have a control panel on them. The JBL Wave Beam support voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection.
The JBL Live Free 2 also have voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds. JBL Wave Beam come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds without a case, or putting them inside your bag without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.
JBL Live Free 2 too have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.