IP ratings is the rating of protection given by a casing, against solids and liquids. 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 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, Sony LinkBuds S 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
JBL Wave Beam have a weight of 8.8g . We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are easier to carry.
The Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g
are heavier than the JBL Wave Beam with a difference of 0.8g
True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, JBL Wave Beam are true wireless for this case since they don't have wires. This is an important difference since wireless earbuds have cables linking the pair of earbuds together. Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless since it has no cables connecting the 2 earbuds .
JBL Wave Beam have sweat resistance
Sony LinkBuds S's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use during long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , 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 Sony LinkBuds S and JBL Wave Beam have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation utilises advanced kind of tech to actively counter noise. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and generates a mirror signal to counter it. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (noise) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero which results in a reduced level of noise.
The JBL Wave Beam have ANC enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background sounds. The Sony LinkBuds S too have Active Noise Cancellation making both devices ideal for flights and morning travels. Each operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the setting that suits your travel or that suites your chill time.
JBL Wave Beam sit well in place, this creates an acoustic covering that reduces background sounds and also prevents the earbuds music from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices 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, and can produce better bass.
The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, its size corellates with the sound made by the earbuds. Sony LinkBuds S driver unit is 5mm in diameter,
which means that they have a smaller 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 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 a particular audio component generates low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through. Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
both devices make sound with equal bass
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 makes any adjustments to the signal while at it. Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this means that
Sony LinkBuds S can generate a clearer and crispier treble than the JBL Wave Beam
SPL, 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 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 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.
Sony LinkBuds S's battery life is
less than that of JBL Wave Beam by 2 hours
. Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time. The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and the JBL Wave Beam's case has a full charge of 24 hours.
A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before having to recharge the case itself. Sony LinkBuds S's charging case has a battery life of 14 hours,
less than that of JBL Wave Beam by 10 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.
Sony LinkBuds S takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery,
equal to that of the JBL Wave Beam
JBL Wave Beam have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights indicate the charging state of your device and case. Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to tell the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.
JBL Wave Beam have USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable. Sony LinkBuds S too support USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets.
JBL Wave Beam have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Sony LinkBuds S 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.
Sony LinkBuds S have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the JBL Wave Beam
JBL Wave Beam have 2 microphones. The Sony LinkBuds S microphones are 6,
more than that of JBL Wave Beam by 4
. More microphones record better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out noise. The JBL Wave Beam have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to filter out background sounds from the earbuds' sound.
The JBL Wave Beam support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound so that they can still be heard even when wearing them
The Sony LinkBuds S 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 would still want to be able to hear traffic. When lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the JBL Wave Beam have a find earbuds feature. The Sony LinkBuds S too have the find earbuds feature.
Use the device app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your earbuds to find them. JBL Wave Beam support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the time it takes to charge the earbuds.
Sony LinkBuds S too support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be 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. The Sony LinkBuds S also have the mute function. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk.
With the JBL Wave Beam, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device. Sony LinkBuds S too have a control panel on them. JBL Wave Beam support voice prompts.
Automatically receive information through audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection. Sony LinkBuds S too support voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you when the battery is low, and you need to recharge the earbuds. JBL Wave Beam come with their own special case.
Carrying earphones openly, or placing them inside your bag without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Sony LinkBuds S also have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.
