Overall Score 7 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 6.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Nothing Ear 1 | JBL Wave Beam |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IP54 |
weight | 9.4g | 8.8g | |
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 | 11.6mm | 8mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | ✗ | 100dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 5hours | 8hours |
battery life of charging case | 29hours | 24hours | |
charge time | 1.5hours | 2hours | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✗ | |
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 | 6only | 2only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✓ |
has in/on-ear detection | ✓ | ✗ | |
has find earbuds feature | ✓ | ✓ | |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
has a mute function | ✗ | ✓ | |
control panel placed on a device | ✓ | ✓ | |
warranty period | 1Years | ✗ | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
Ingress protection ratings refer to the rank of protection given by an enclosure, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value represents protection against solids say 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 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. In comparison to the JBL Wave Beam, Nothing Ear 1 have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
no data available to specify a protection rating
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
The JBL Wave Beam have a weight of 8.8g . We consider a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.
Nothing Ear 1, at 9.4g are heavier than the JBL Wave Beam with a difference of 0.6g For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables connecting any part of the device together, JBL Wave Beam are true wireless for this matter since they don't have wires. This is an important difference since wireless earbuds have cables linking the pair of earbuds . Nothing Ear 1 also is true wireless because it doesn't have cables linking the two earbuds together. JBL Wave Beam are resistant to sweat Nothing Ear 1's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit 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 independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
Both Nothing Ear 1 and JBL Wave Beam have stereo speakers ANC utilises more advanced technology to reduce ambient sounds. How it works, it studies the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) giving 0 thus "diluting" the noise.
The JBL Wave Beam have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise. The Nothing Ear 1 too have ANC making either of the devices ideal for flights and rush hour commutes. The JBL Wave Beam and Nothing Ear 1 work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for commute or that enhances your chill time.
JBL Wave Beam stay tightly in place, this creates a sound seal that reduces background sounds and also prevents the earbuds sound from leaking out . Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that they tone down ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out. JBL Wave Beam have a unit size of 8mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, its size corellates with the sound produced by the earbuds.
Nothing Ear 1 driver unit is 11.6mm in diameter,
making them have a larger driver unit than that of JBL Wave Beam by 3.6mm
, 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 it's true that, 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 measures if and how well an audio device generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.
Nothing Ear 1's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that both devices produce equal bass The JBL Wave Beam's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well a particular audio component generates high audible frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it. Nothing Ear 1'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, 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 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 more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. Nothing Ear 1's battery life is less than that of JBL Wave Beam by 3 hours . Each 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 manufacturer, and JBL Wave Beam's case is said to have a full charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before having to recharge the case itself.
Nothing Ear 1's charging case has a battery life of 29 hours, more than that of JBL Wave Beam by 5 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. Nothing Ear 1 takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery, less than that of JBL Wave Beam by 0.5 hours JBL Wave Beam have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery.
Its lights indicate the charging state of your earbuds and charging case. Nothing Ear 1 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low. The JBL Wave Beam support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.
Nothing Ear 1 too support 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 allows data movement between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Nothing Ear 1 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. Nothing Ear 1 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the JBL Wave Beam The JBL Wave Beam have 2 microphones.
Nothing Ear 1 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. JBL Wave Beam have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to reduce background sounds from the desired sound. The Nothing Ear 1 too have a noise-canceling microphone.
Especially useful in noisy areas. The JBL Wave Beam support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises to still be heard even when wearing them The Nothing Ear 1 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music while being aware of your surrounding, for example when 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, JBL Wave Beam support the find earbuds feature.
The Nothing Ear 1 also have the find earbuds feature. Use the earbuds app on your smartphone to play a sound from your earbuds to find them. The JBL Wave Beam support fast charging.
Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the time it takes to charge the earbuds. Also the Nothing Ear 1 too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, only 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 have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. With the JBL Wave Beam, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.
Nothing Ear 1 too have a control panel on them. The JBL Wave Beam have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection.
The Nothing Ear 1 also support voice prompts meaning the earbuds will notify you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds. The JBL Wave Beam come with a special case. Carrying earphones without a case, or placing them inside your pockets without a cover can easily damage them.
Nothing Ear 1 also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.