IP ratings is the level of protection offered by a casing, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids such as dust, while the second 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 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, 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 prefer a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to transport.
The JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g
are heavier than the JBL Wave Beam by of 1g
For a device to be true wireless it must have no wires linking any part of the device together, JBL Wave Beam are true wireless for this case since they have no wires. This is a key difference as some wireless earbuds have wires linking the two earbuds .
JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless since it doesn't have cables linking the pair of earbuds together. JBL Wave Beam are resistant to sweat
JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during 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.
Both JBL Live Free 2 and JBL Wave Beam have stereo speakers
ANC makes use of advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds. 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 taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 resulting in a reduced level of noise.
The JBL Wave Beam have ANC allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears since you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to overcome background sounds. JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC which makes both earbuds ideal for flights and morning commutes. The JBL Wave Beam and JBL Live Free 2 work with different noise cancellation types, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for travel or that suites your relaxation time.
The JBL Wave Beam sit well in place, this creates an acoustic seal that reduces your environment sounds well as preventing the earbuds music from leaking out .
Both JBL Live Free 2, and JBL Wave Beam have passive noise reduction this implies that they tone down 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. A driver unit is the component that produces sound in the earbuds, the unit size dictates the loudness of the device.
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
, 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 yeah, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better quality sound. JBL Wave Beam's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal while at it.
JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
both devices can make sound with equal bass
The JBL Wave Beam's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component generates high audible frequencies and if it changes 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
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 Live Free 2's sound pressure level measurement is 102dB/mW. How loud a device is can be perceived differently by separate people, so we need to have a way of getting a standard 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 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 earbuds, they get a little less playing time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.
The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and JBL Wave Beam's case has a full charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go several 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 charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time. JBL Wave Beam have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights indicate the charging status of your earbuds and charging case.
JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you tell the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, 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 Live Free 2 too use USB TYPE-C.
This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current electronics. The 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. 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.
JBL Wave Beam have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth. JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the JBL Wave Beam
The 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 result in better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out noise.
The JBL Wave Beam have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out background sounds from the desired sound. The JBL Live Free 2 too use a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is useful in noisy environments.
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 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, for example when you’re having a jog but still want to be able to hear traffic. When lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the JBL Wave Beam have a find earbuds feature. The JBL Wave Beam support fast charging.
Commonly, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the time it takes to fully charge the earbuds. JBL Live Free 2 too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, only that the battery fills up much faster.
Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be 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 JBL Live Free 2 also have the mute function.
It means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party talk. The JBL Wave Beam, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. The 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 an issue with the connection. JBL Live Free 2 also support voice prompts meaning the device notifies you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge the device.
The JBL Wave Beam come with a special pouch. Carrying earphones without a case, or placing them inside your pockets without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. JBL Live Free 2 also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.
