Home Wireless Earbuds Jbl Wave Buds Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen)

Jbl Wave Buds Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Review

Last updated on Aug 18, 2024   16 minute read
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JBL Wave Buds

JBL Wave Buds

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Reasons why you might like the JBL Wave Buds

Overall Score 8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IP54
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 8 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 2 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode
VS
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

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Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 6 hours
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode

Jbl Wave Buds Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Review In Summary

Category Features JBL Wave Buds Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating IP54 IPX4
weight 9g 10.6g
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
POWER battery life 8hours 6hours
battery life of charging case 24hours 24hours
charge time 2hours 1hours
has wireless charging
has a battery level indicator
CONNECTIVITY has usb type-c
bluetooth version v5.2 v5.3
maximum bluetooth range 10meters 10meters
has aac
has aptx adaptive
MICROPHONE number of microphones 2only 6only
has a noise-canceling microphone
mic sensitivity -38dBV/Pa
EXTRAS has ambient sound mode
has in/on-ear detection
has find earbuds feature
supports fast charging
multipoint count 2only 2only
has a mute function
control panel placed on a device
has voice prompts
travel bag is included
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Ingress protection ratings refer to the rank of protection offered by a casing, against dust and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (water).

Scoring IP54, the JBL Wave Buds'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 value 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 Buds, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 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 Buds have a weight of 9g . We take in account a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are easier to carry.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), at 10.6g weigh more than the JBL Wave Buds by of 1.6g True wireless devices have no wires connecting any part of the device together, JBL Wave Buds are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is a key difference as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the pair of earbuds . Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also is true wireless because it doesn't have cables connecting the 2 earbuds together. JBL Wave Buds are resistant to sweat Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc JBL Wave Buds have stereo speakers, what this means is that JBL Wave Buds's speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.

Both Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and JBL Wave Buds have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation makes use of more advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and then generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero resulting in a reduced level of noise.



The JBL Wave Buds have ANC enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't need to crank up the device volume to overcome background noise. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have ANC making both devices ideal for flights and morning travels. The JBL Wave Buds and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) work with different noise cancellation settings, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for commute or that enhances your relaxation time.

JBL Wave Buds stay tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that tones down background sounds and also prevents the device music from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this means that both limit ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out. The JBL Wave Buds have a unit size of 8mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass.

A driver unit is the component that makes sound in the device, its size dictates the loudness of the device. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making them have a larger driver unit than that of JBL Wave Buds 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 it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not imply that they deliver better quality sound.

The JBL Wave Buds's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that both devices produce equal bass The JBL Wave Buds's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well a particular audio device makes high recognizable frequencies and if it changes to the signal on its way through. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that both devices can generate equal treble SPL, is the level of pressure of sound, in decibels, dB, JBL Wave Buds'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 Buds'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 requires fewer chargings.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery life is less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 2 hours . Each 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 no longer play for long like they used to. The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and the JBL Wave Buds's case has a full charge of 24 hours.

A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before having to recharge the case itself. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s charging case has a battery life of 24 hours, equal to that of the JBL Wave Buds It requires 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Wave Buds's battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for extended periods.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) takes 1 hours to fully charge the battery, less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 1 hours JBL Wave Buds have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the device has a low battery. Its lights display the charging status of your earbuds and case. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to tell the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low.

JBL Wave Buds use USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable. JBL Wave Buds have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) has a Bluetooth version of 5.3, newer than that of JBL Wave Buds . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

JBL Wave Buds have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the JBL Wave Buds JBL Wave Buds support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps.

Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.

Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the JBL Wave Buds will work fine with your iPad. If you are planning on using these with Android you need to pay even closer attention to codec support for if they only have AAC they won't provide the best audio quality possible, ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate. The JBL Wave Buds support APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm.

It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps). The JBL Wave Buds have 2 microphones. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) microphones are 6, more than that of JBL Wave Buds by 4 . More microphones result in better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds. The JBL Wave Buds have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to filter out background sounds from the earbuds' sound.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too use a noise-canceling type of microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments. JBL Wave Buds microphone sensitivity is measured at -38dBV/Pa.

The size of the analog or digital output signal from the microphone with its input stimulus is a calculation of its sensitivity. It's the 'loudness' of the sound that the microphone can recognize. JBL Wave Buds support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound so that they can still be heard even while wearing them The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful 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 hear traffic.

JBL Wave Buds support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears . The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience. If misplaced in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, JBL Wave Buds have a find earbuds feature. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have the find earbuds feature.

Simply use the earbuds app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your earbuds to help you find them. The JBL Wave Buds support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to fully charge a device.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just 30 minutes.

The JBL Wave Buds have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a multipoint count of 2, equal to that of the JBL Wave Buds . Bluetooth multipoint comes in handy when you can be on one call and not miss notifications from another connected device.

The JBL Wave Buds have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have this function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party's voice.

With the JBL Wave Buds, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have a control panel on them. The JBL Wave Buds have voice prompts.

With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too support voice prompts meaning the earbuds will notify you when the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them. The JBL Wave Buds come with their own special case.

Carrying earphones openly, or putting them in your bag without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have a case included, which offers safe transportation.

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