Ingress protection ratings is the rating of protection given by a casing, against dust and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids say 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 number 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, 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
The JBL Wave Beam have a weight of 8.8g . We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.
JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g
are heavier than the JBL Wave Beam with a difference of 1g
For a device to be true wireless it should have no cables connecting any part of the device together, JBL Wave Beam are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is a major distinction since wireless earbuds have cables connecting the two earbuds together. JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it doesn't have wires linking the 2 earbuds .
JBL Wave Beam are resistant to sweat
JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, 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
ANC makes use of more advanced kind of tech to actively counter noise. How it works, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and then generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (noise) and producing -1 (inverted noise) to make zero hence "diluting" the noise.
JBL Wave Beam have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background noise. The JBL Live Free 2 too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes both devices ideal for plane rides and rush hour commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting that you prefer for travel or that suites your relaxation time.
The JBL Wave Beam stay well in place, creating an acoustic covering that reduces your environment sounds and also prevents the earbuds sound from leaking out .
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that both reduce ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out. The JBL Wave Beam have a unit size of 8mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. A driver unit is the component that makes sound in the device, the unit size corellates with the sound produced by 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 usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not indicate 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 recognizable frequencies and if it alters the signal while at it.
JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that
both devices can produce equal bass
JBL Wave Beam's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component makes high audible frequencies and if it changes to the signal on its way through. JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that
both devices can 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. The sound pressure level, something is can be perceived differently by different persons, 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 usually 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 listening time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.
This is given by the vendor, and the JBL Wave Beam's case is said to have 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 recharging 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 recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for extended 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 case.
JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low. JBL Wave Beam support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable. JBL Live Free 2 too support USB TYPE-C.
This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets. The JBL Wave Beam have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers 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.
The 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
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 background sounds.
The JBL Wave Beam use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to reduce noise from the desired sound. The JBL Live Free 2 too use a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments.
The JBL Wave Beam support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel 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 still want to be able to hear traffic. If 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.
Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to fully charge the earbuds. Also 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.
For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in thirty minutes. JBL Wave Beam have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The JBL Live Free 2 also support the mute function.
It means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party's voice. The JBL Wave Beam, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device. The JBL Live Free 2 too have a control panel on them.
The JBL Wave Beam have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection. The JBL Live Free 2 also support voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them.
The JBL Wave Beam come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds without a case, or putting 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.
