IP ratings is the rating of protection offered by an enclosure, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value refers to protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Having a value of 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. In comparison 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 prefer a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.
Bose QuietComfort 2, at 12.5g
weigh more than the JBL Wave Buds with a difference of 3.5g
For a device to be true wireless it must 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 key difference as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the pair of earbuds together. Bose QuietComfort 2 also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires connecting the pair of earbuds .
JBL Wave Buds are resistant to sweat
Bose QuietComfort 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc
JBL Wave Buds have stereo speakers, devices with stereo 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 makes use of 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 resulting in a reduced level of noise.
The JBL Wave Buds have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to overcome background noise. The Bose QuietComfort 2 too have ANC making both earbuds ideal for plane rides and morning travels. The JBL Wave Buds and Bose QuietComfort 2 operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the mode that suits your commute or that suites your relaxation time.
JBL Wave Buds sit tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that tones down your environment noise well as preventing the earbuds music from leaking out .
Both Bose QuietComfort 2, and JBL Wave Buds have passive noise reduction which means that they limit ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out. JBL Wave Buds have a unit size of 8mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the earbuds, its size corellates with 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
, 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 yes, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not imply that they produce better quality sound. JBL Wave Buds's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio device 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 implies that
both devices make sound with equal bass
JBL Wave Buds's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component produces high human frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal on its way through. Bose QuietComfort 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that
both devices can generate equal treble
SPL, is the pressure level 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 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 requires fewer chargings. 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 a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and JBL Wave Buds's case is said to have a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before recharging 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 recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time. Bose QuietComfort 2 takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery,
equal to that of the JBL Wave Buds
The JBL Wave Buds have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery.
The battery indicator lights show the charging state of your device and case. Bose QuietComfort 2 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to determine the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or having a low battery. The JBL Wave Buds support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
Bose QuietComfort 2 too have 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 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 to connect 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 that is used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since 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 iPhone.
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 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.
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 2 support APTX Adaptive as well which implies that both can adjust the bit rate for different scenarios, such as reducing interference from other devices. JBL Wave Buds have 2 microphones.
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 background sounds. JBL Wave Buds have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to reduce noise from the desired sound. The Bose QuietComfort 2 too have a noise-canceling microphone.
Especially useful in noisy environments. The JBL Wave Buds microphone sensitivity is measured at -38dBV/Pa. The extent 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 voice that the earbud microphone can pick up. The JBL Wave Buds support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises so that they can still be heard even when wearing them
The Bose QuietComfort 2 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, say you’re having a jog but still want to hear traffic. The JBL Wave Buds support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused.
The 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, JBL Wave Buds have a find earbuds feature. Bose QuietComfort 2 too have the find earbuds feature.
You can use the device app on your phone to play a sound from your device to help you find them. JBL Wave Buds support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the time it takes to fully charge the earbuds.
Bose QuietComfort 2 support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in just thirty minutes.
JBL Wave Buds have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect. The Bose QuietComfort 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 coming from another device.
JBL Wave Buds have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Bose QuietComfort 2 also support this function. It means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk.
With the JBL Wave Buds, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. Bose QuietComfort 2 also have a control panel on them. JBL Wave Buds have voice prompts.
With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection. Bose QuietComfort 2 too have voice prompts meaning the earbuds notifies you if the battery is low, and you need to recharge the device. The JBL Wave Buds come with their own special case.
Carrying earbuds without a case, or putting them in your bag without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Bose QuietComfort 2 also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.
