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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IP ratings refer to the level of protection given by an enclosure, against solids and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value represents protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (water).

Having a value of IP54, the JBL Wave Buds'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. In comparison 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 JBL Wave Buds have a weight of 9g . We take in account a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to transport.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), at 10.6g weigh more than the JBL Wave Buds with a difference of 1.6g For a device to be true wireless it should have no wires linking any part of the device together, JBL Wave Buds 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 two earbuds . Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also is true wireless because it has no wires linking the two earbuds together. JBL Wave Buds are resistant to sweat Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc JBL Wave Buds 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.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation utilises more advanced kind of tech to actively cancel noise. How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and after inverts the soundwaves to counter it. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) and producing -1 (inverted noise) giving 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.



JBL Wave Buds have ANC enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue since you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background sounds. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes either of the devices ideal for plane rides and morning travels. Each operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the setting that suits your commute or that suites your relaxation time.

The JBL Wave Buds sit well in place, creating a sound seal that tones down background noise and also prevents the device music from leaking out . Both Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), and JBL Wave Buds have passive noise reduction which means that they limit ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out. The JBL Wave Buds driver unit is 8mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker 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 , 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 Buds'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 alters the signal while at it.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that both devices can produce equal bass The JBL Wave Buds's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device makes high audible frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal on its way through. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices generate equal treble The sound pressure level, is the pressure level 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.

JBL Wave Buds'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 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 not 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 the JBL Wave Buds's case has a full charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go many 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 takes 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 long periods. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) takes 1 hours to fully charge the battery, less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 1 hours The JBL Wave Buds 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 device and charging case. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to determine the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or the battery is running low. JBL Wave Buds support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.

The JBL Wave Buds have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data movement 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 connecting 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 that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.



Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the JBL Wave Buds will work well with your iPhone. If you intend on using these with Android , 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. 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). 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 record better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background sounds. JBL Wave Buds have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out noise from the desired sound. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too use a noise-canceling microphone.

This is useful in noisy environments. The 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 measure of its sensitivity.

It's the 'loudness' of the voice that the earbud microphone can recognize. The JBL Wave Buds support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises to still be heard even while wearing the earbuds The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music while being aware of what’s happening around you, say you’re having a run but still want to hear traffic. The JBL Wave Buds have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears saving battery life. If misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the JBL Wave Buds have a find earbuds feature. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have the find earbuds feature.

Simply use the earbuds app on your phone to play an alarm from your earbuds to help you find them. JBL Wave Buds support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to charge the earbuds.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just thirty minutes.

The JBL Wave Buds support multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support multipoint count of 2, equal to that of the JBL Wave Buds . Bluetooth multipoint comes in handy when you can be on one call without missing notifications coming from another connected device.

JBL Wave Buds have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too 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.

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

Automatically receive information through audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too support voice prompts meaning the earbuds notifies you when the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge the device. The JBL Wave Buds come with a special case.

Carrying earphones openly, or placing 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 is useful for safe transportation.

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