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 refer to the rank 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 means protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (water).
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 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 Wave Beam has a lower liquid rating than JBL Live Free 2
JBL Wave Beam have a weight of 8.8g . We consider a lower weight better for the reason that 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 should have no wires linking any part of the device together, JBL Wave Beam are true wireless for this matter since they don't have cables. This is a major distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the two earbuds . JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it has no cables connecting the pair of earbuds together. JBL Wave Beam are resistant to sweat JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal 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 separate 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 uses more advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and generates a mirror signal to counter it. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and producing -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.
The JBL Wave Beam have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background noise. The JBL Live Free 2 too have Active Noise Cancellation making both devices ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. Each work with different noise cancellation types, pick the mode that suits your commute or that suites your relaxation time.
The JBL Wave Beam stay tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that reduces background noise well as preventing the device voice audio from leaking out at the same. Both JBL Live Free 2, and JBL Wave Beam have passive noise reduction which implies 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 basically a mini speaker 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
, as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yes, larger drivers can generate 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 produces 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 implies that both devices can produce equal bass JBL Wave Beam's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio device generates high recognizable frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it. 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 level of pressure of sound, measured 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, a device is can be considered differently by separate people, so we need to have a way of getting 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 usually given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, 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 listening 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 manufacturer, and JBL Wave Beam's case is said to have a 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 highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for long periods. JBL Wave Beam have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery.
The battery indicator lights indicate the charging state of your earbuds and case. JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you tell 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 through a single cable.
JBL Live Free 2 too have 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 allows 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. 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 The JBL Wave Beam have 2 microphones.
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 enable the device to filter out noise. The JBL Wave Beam have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to reduce background sounds from the desired sound. The JBL Live Free 2 too have a noise-canceling microphone.
Especially useful in noisy environments. JBL Wave Beam support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises so that they can still be heard even when wearing the earbuds The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music while being aware of your surrounding, say you’re having a jog but would still want to be able to hear traffic. If lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the JBL Wave Beam have a find earbuds feature.
JBL Wave Beam support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge a device. JBL Live Free 2 too support fast charging.
This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in 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 support the mute function. It means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' 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.
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 through audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection.
JBL Live Free 2 too have voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you when the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them. The JBL Wave Beam come with a special pouch. Carrying earphones without a case, or putting them inside your bag without a cover can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.
JBL Live Free 2 also have a case included, which offers safe transportation.