Overall Score 6.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall 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 is the rank of protection given by a casing, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
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 of liquids 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, 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 Live Free 2 has a higher liquid rating than JBL Wave Beam
JBL Wave Beam have a weight of 8.8g . We take in account a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.
The JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g are heavier than the JBL Wave Beam by of 1g True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, JBL Wave Beam are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is a key difference as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the pair of earbuds together. JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless since it doesn't have cables linking the two earbuds . JBL Wave Beam are resistant to sweat JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal 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 independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The JBL Live Free 2 also have stereo speakers ANC makes use of advanced technology to actively cancel noise. ANC works when, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and then inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -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, good for your ears since you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise. JBL Live Free 2 too have Active Noise Cancellation making both earbuds ideal for plane rides and morning travels. Each work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for commute or that suites your chill time.
The JBL Wave Beam sit tightly in place, creating a sound covering that tones down your environment sounds and also prevents the device sound from leaking out . Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that they limit ambient noise instead of actively using technology 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.
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 yeah, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound. The JBL Wave Beam's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device 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 produce equal bass The JBL Wave Beam's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well a particular audio component produces high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal while at it. JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means 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 a device is can be taken differently by different people, so we need to have a way of getting an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms. The 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 commonly given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. JBL Live Free 2's battery life is less than that of JBL Wave Beam by 1 hours . Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing time. The effect is barely 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 JBL Wave Beam's case has a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple 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 requires 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 long periods. JBL Wave Beam have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the device has a low battery. Its lights show the charging state of your device and charging case.
JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to determine the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or having a low battery. The JBL Wave Beam support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable. JBL Live Free 2 too have USB TYPE-C.
This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current electronics. 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. 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. JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6, more than that of JBL Wave Beam by 4 . More microphones result in better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds.
The JBL Wave Beam use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out noise from the desired sound. The JBL Live Free 2 too use a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy areas.
The JBL Wave Beam support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound to still be heard even while wearing the earbuds The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of your surrounding, for example when you’re having a jog but would still want to hear traffic. If misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, JBL Wave Beam support the find earbuds feature. The JBL Wave Beam support fast charging.
Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the time it takes to fully charge a device. Also the JBL Live Free 2 too support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster.
For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in thirty minutes. JBL Wave Beam have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The JBL Live Free 2 too support 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 access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds. JBL Live Free 2 too have a control panel on them.
JBL Wave Beam have voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection. JBL Live Free 2 also support voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you if the battery is low, and you need to recharge them.
The JBL Wave Beam come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds openly, or placing them inside your pockets without a cover may easily damage them. JBL Live Free 2 also have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.