IP ratings refer to the rating of protection given by a casing, against solids 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, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Scoring 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. Compared to the JBL Wave Buds, Bose QuietComfort 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
The JBL Wave Buds have a weight of 9g . We consider a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.
Bose QuietComfort 2, at 12.5g
weigh more than the JBL Wave Buds by of 3.5g
True wireless devices have no wires linking any part of the device together, JBL Wave Buds are true wireless for this case since they have no cables. This is a major distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires linking the two earbuds together. Bose QuietComfort 2 also is true wireless because it has no cables linking the pair of earbuds together.
JBL Wave Buds are resistant to sweat
Bose QuietComfort 2'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 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 Bose QuietComfort 2 and JBL Wave Buds have stereo speakers
ANC utilises advanced technology to actively cancel noise. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and generates a mirror signal to counter it.
In simple terms, it's like having +1 (noise) then producing -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 hence "diluting" the noise.
JBL Wave Buds have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue as you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise. Bose QuietComfort 2 too have ANC making either of the devices ideal for flights and morning commutes.
The JBL Wave Buds and Bose QuietComfort 2 operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting that suits your commute or that enhances your chill time. JBL Wave Buds sit tightly in place, creating an acoustic covering that reduces background sounds while preventing the earbuds voice audio from leaking out .
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that both tone down ambient noise without 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.
The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, the unit size determines the sound made by the earbuds. Bose QuietComfort 2 driver unit is 9.3mm in diameter,
making them have a larger driver unit than that of JBL Wave Buds by 1.3mm
, 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 yeah, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not indicate that they deliver better quality sound.
The JBL Wave Buds's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio component produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal while at it. Bose QuietComfort 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
both devices can make sound with equal bass
JBL Wave Buds's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device generates high recognizable frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal on its way through. Bose QuietComfort 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that
both devices produce equal treble
SPL, is the level of pressure of sound, measured 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 given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
Bose QuietComfort 2's battery life is
less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 2 hours
. Every time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. This is given by the manufacturer, and JBL Wave Buds's case is said to have a 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. Bose QuietComfort 2's charging case has a battery life of 18 hours,
less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 6 hours
It takes 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Wave Buds's battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for extended periods.
Bose QuietComfort 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. Its lights indicate the charging state of your device and charging case. Bose QuietComfort 2 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you determine the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low.
The JBL Wave Buds have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable. Bose QuietComfort 2 too support USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current laptops, phones, and tablets.
The JBL Wave Buds 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. Bose QuietComfort 2 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.
Bose QuietComfort 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. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the JBL Wave Buds will work well with your iPhone. If you are planning on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. The Bose QuietComfort 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. 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 2 support APTX Adaptive as well which means both can adjust the bit rate for different scenarios, such as reducing interference from other devices.
JBL Wave Buds have 2 microphones. The Bose QuietComfort 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 noise. JBL Wave Buds have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out noise from the desired sound.
The Bose QuietComfort 2 too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. Especially useful in noisy areas. 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 sound that the microphone can recognize. The JBL Wave Buds support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound so that they can still be heard even when wearing the earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort 2 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of your surrounding, say you’re having a jog but would still want to be able to hear traffic.
The JBL Wave Buds support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears .
Bose QuietComfort 2 support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience. When misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the JBL Wave Buds support the find earbuds feature. Bose QuietComfort 2 also have the find earbuds feature.
Use the earbuds app on your phone to play a sound from your earbuds to locate them. JBL Wave Buds support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to charge a device.
The Bose QuietComfort 2 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 just 30 minutes.
The JBL Wave Buds support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. The Bose QuietComfort 2 have a multipoint count of 2,
equal to that of the JBL Wave Buds
. Bluetooth multipoint is useful because you can be on one call without missing notifications coming from another device.
The JBL Wave Buds have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Bose QuietComfort 2 too have the mute function. The mute function means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party's voice.
The JBL Wave Buds, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds. The Bose QuietComfort 2 also have a control panel on them. JBL Wave Buds support voice prompts.
With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection. Bose QuietComfort 2 also support voice prompts meaning the earbuds notifies you if the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them. The JBL Wave Buds come with their own special case.
Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them in your pockets without a casing may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Bose QuietComfort 2 also have a case included, which offers safe transportation.
