Ingress protection ratings refer to the rank of protection given by an enclosure, against solids and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value refers to protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (water).
Having a value of 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 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
The JBL Wave Beam have a weight of 8.8g . We take in account a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to transport.
The Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g
weigh more than the JBL Wave Beam with a difference of 0.8g
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 don't have wires. This is a key distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the 2 earbuds .
Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless because it doesn't have wires connecting the pair of earbuds .
JBL Wave Beam are resistant to sweat
Sony LinkBuds S'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, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience. Both Sony LinkBuds S and JBL Wave Beam have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation makes use of more advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds.
How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then generates a mirror signal to counter it. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) 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 device volume to outcompete background noise.
Sony LinkBuds S too have Active Noise Cancellation making both devices ideal for flights and morning travels. Each work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that you prefer for travel or that enhances your chill time. JBL Wave Beam stay well in place, creating an acoustic covering that reduces background sounds and also prevents the device music from leaking out .
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that both limit ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out.
The JBL Wave Beam have a unit size of 8mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass. The driver unit is the component that makes sound in the device, its size dictates the loudness of the device. 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
, a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not imply 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 device generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through. Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that
both devices can make sound with equal bass
The JBL Wave Beam's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well an audio component produces high human frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal on its way through.
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
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. 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 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
. Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.
This is given by the manufacturer, and JBL Wave Beam's case has a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple 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 takes 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Wave Beam's battery.
It is recommended to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time. 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 shows you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your device and charging case.
Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to tell the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, 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. Sony LinkBuds S too have USB TYPE-C.
This USB-C plug comes along with most current electronics. 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. Sony LinkBuds S 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. Sony LinkBuds S have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the JBL Wave Beam
The JBL Wave Beam have 2 microphones. While the Sony LinkBuds S microphones are 6,
more than that of JBL Wave Beam by 4
. More microphones record better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out background sounds.
JBL Wave Beam have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce background sounds from the earbuds' sound. JBL Wave Beam support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound so that they can still be heard even while wearing the earbuds
The Sony LinkBuds S 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 still want to be able to hear traffic. If misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the JBL Wave Beam have a find earbuds feature.
The Sony LinkBuds S also have the find earbuds feature. You can use the earbuds app on your phone to play a sound from your device to locate them. JBL Wave Beam support fast charging.
Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to charge the earbuds. Sony LinkBuds S 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 30 minutes. JBL Wave Beam have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The Sony LinkBuds S also support the mute function.
It means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' microphone, but 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 device. The Sony LinkBuds S too have a control panel on them.
JBL Wave Beam support voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection. The Sony LinkBuds S too have voice prompts meaning the device will notify you if the battery is running low, and you need to recharge the device.
JBL Wave Beam come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds without a case, or placing them inside your bag without a cover may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Sony LinkBuds S also have a case included, which offers safe transportation.
