Overall Score 8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 7.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | JBL Wave Buds | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IP54 | IPX4 |
weight | 9g | 12.5g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
wingtips included | ✗ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 8mm | 9.3mm | |
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 | 18hours | |
charge time | 2hours | 2hours | |
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 | 8only |
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 | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
Ingress protection ratings refer to the rating of protection offered by an enclosure, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that 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 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 Buds, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 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 consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, at 12.5g
are heavier than the JBL Wave Buds by of 3.5g
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 matter since they don't have wires. This is a major distinction since wireless earbuds have wires linking the two earbuds together.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 also is true wireless because it has no cables connecting the pair of earbuds together.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 come with wingtips, these are commonly used for earbuds for workouts and come as an optional add-on to each silicone ear tip for a better fit.
JBL Wave Buds have sweat resistance
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use during long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc
JBL Wave Buds have stereo speakers, what this means is that JBL Wave Buds's speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 also have stereo speakers
ANC utilises more advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, 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 (noise) then adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make 0 therefore "diluting" the noise.
The JBL Wave Buds 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 overcome background noise.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 too have ANC making either of the earbuds ideal for flights and rush hour travels. The JBL Wave Buds and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the mode that suits your travel or that suites your relaxation time.
JBL Wave Buds stay well in place, this creates a sound covering that reduces background noise and also prevents the device voice audio from leaking out .
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that both limit ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.
The JBL Wave Buds driver unit is 8mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass.
A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size determines the sound produced by the earbuds.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 driver unit is 9.3mm in diameter,
making them have a larger driver unit than that of JBL Wave Buds by 1.3mm
, many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not indicate that they produce better quality sound.
JBL Wave Buds's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio device generates low recognizable frequencies and if it alters the signal while at it.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that
both devices make sound with equal bass
The JBL Wave Buds's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well a particular audio component generates high human frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that
both devices can produce 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 usually given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2's battery life is
less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 2 hours
. Every 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.
This is given by the vendor, and the JBL Wave Buds's case has a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before having to recharge the case itself.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2's charging case has a battery life of 18 hours,
less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 6 hours
It requires 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Wave Buds's battery. It is recommended to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery,
equal to that of the JBL Wave Buds
JBL Wave Buds 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 earbuds and charging case.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you tell the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or having a low battery.
The JBL Wave Buds use USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 too support USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current electronics.
JBL Wave Buds have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 has a Bluetooth version of 5.3,
newer than that of JBL Wave Buds
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
The JBL Wave Buds have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 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. Since 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 fine with your iPad. If you intend on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 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).
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 support APTX Adaptive as well which implies that both can adjust the bit rate for different scenarios, such as listening to HD audio from other devices.
The JBL Wave Buds have 2 microphones.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 microphones are 8,
more than that of JBL Wave Buds by 6
. More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background sounds.
The JBL Wave Buds use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce noise from the desired sound.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments.
The JBL Wave Buds microphone sensitivity is measured at -38dBV/Pa. The magnitude 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 sound that the earbud microphone can pick up.
JBL Wave Buds support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound to still be heard even when wearing the earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music while being 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.
The JBL Wave Buds have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears .
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 too support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears saving battery life.
When misplaced in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the JBL Wave Buds support the find earbuds feature.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 too have the find earbuds feature. You can use the earbuds app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your earbuds to find them.
The JBL Wave Buds support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the time it takes to fully charge the earbuds.
Also the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just thirty minutes.
JBL Wave Buds have a multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 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 device.
The JBL Wave Buds have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 also have the mute function. It means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice.
The JBL Wave Buds, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 too have a control panel on them.
The JBL Wave Buds support voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 also support voice prompts meaning the device will notify you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge them.
JBL Wave Buds come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them in your pockets without a casing may easily damage them.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 also have a case included, which offers safe transportation.