Jbl Wave Buds Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Review In Detail

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

JBL Wave Buds IP54

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 IP54

Ingress protection ratings is the level of protection offered by a casing, against dust and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value means protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

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, Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a rating of IP54 meaning that they both have the same rating against dust and that of liquids is that, they both have the same rating against liquids

Weight

JBL Wave Buds 9g

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 50g

JBL Wave Buds have a weight of 9g . We prefer a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7, at 50g weigh more than the JBL Wave Buds with a difference of 41g

Has No Wires Or Cables

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

True wireless devices have no wires connecting any part of the device together, JBL Wave Buds are true wireless for this matter since they don't have wires. This is a key difference since wireless earbuds have wires connecting the pair of earbuds together.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless since it has no cables linking the two earbuds together.

Sweat Resistance

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

JBL Wave Buds are resistant to sweat

Has Stereo Speakers

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

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 Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have stereo speakers

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Active noise cancellation utilises more advanced technology to actively cancel noise. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and after inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (noise) then adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero hence "diluting" the noise.

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 device volume to overcome background sounds.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have Active Noise Cancellation making both earbuds ideal for flights and morning travels. The JBL Wave Buds and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 work with different noise cancellation types, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for travel or that suites your relaxation time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Wave Buds stay well in place, this creates a sound covering that tones down your environment sounds while preventing the earbuds voice audio from leaking out at the same.

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that they limit ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

JBL Wave Buds 8mm

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 9.2mm

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 produces sound in the device, its size corellates with the loudness of the earbuds.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 driver unit is 9.2mm in diameter, making them have a larger driver unit than that of JBL Wave Buds by 1.2mm , 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 can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

JBL Wave Buds 20Hz

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 10Hz

The JBL Wave Buds's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio component produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, this means that Bowers & Wilkins PI7 make sound with a juicier bass than the JBL Wave Buds

Highest Frequency

JBL Wave Buds 20,000Hz

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 20,000Hz

The JBL Wave Buds's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well an audio device produces high audible frequencies and if it changes to the signal on its way through.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that both devices can generate equal treble

Sound Pressure Level

JBL Wave Buds 100dB/mW

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

The sound pressure level, 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.

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Battery Life

JBL Wave Buds 8hours

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 4.5hours

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.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery life is less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 3.5 hours . Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

JBL Wave Buds 24hours

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 18hours

This is given by the vendor, and JBL Wave Buds's case is said to have a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before recharging the case itself.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's charging case has a battery life of 18 hours, less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 6 hours

Charge Time

JBL Wave Buds 2hours

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 3hours

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.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 takes 3 hours to fully charge the battery, more than that of JBL Wave Buds by 1 hours

Has Wireless Charging

JBL Wave Buds ✗

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7, the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply put down on a compatible charging pad.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Wave Buds have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights indicate the charging status of your device and case.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a battery level indicator, these enable you tell the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low.

Has Usb Type-C

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Wave Buds support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets.

Bluetooth Version

JBL Wave Buds v5.2

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 v5

JBL Wave Buds have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 has a Bluetooth version of 5, older than that of JBL Wave Buds . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

JBL Wave Buds 10meters

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 10meters

The JBL Wave Buds have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the JBL Wave Buds

Has Aac

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Wave Buds support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide 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 Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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.

Has Aptx Adaptive

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

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).

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support APTX Adaptive as well which means both can adjust the bit rate for different scenarios, such as reducing interference from other devices.

Has Aptx Hd

JBL Wave Buds ✗

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support APTX HD, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It supports high-quality 24-bit audio (at a bit rate of 576kbps).

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Number Of Microphones

JBL Wave Buds 2only

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 6only

JBL Wave Buds have 2 microphones.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 microphones are 6, more than that of JBL Wave Buds by 4 . More microphones record better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out background sounds.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

The JBL Wave Buds use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out noise from the desired sound.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. Especially useful in noisy areas.

Mic Sensitivity

JBL Wave Buds -38dBV/Pa

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

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 recognize.

Has Ambient Sound Mode

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Wave Buds support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises so that they can still be heard even when wearing the earbuds

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of your surrounding, for example when you’re having a run but would still want to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

The JBL Wave Buds support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears saving battery life.

Has Find Earbuds Feature

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

When lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the JBL Wave Buds support the find earbuds feature.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have the find earbuds feature. Simply use the device app on your smartphone to play a sound from your device to help you locate them.

Supports Fast Charging

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

The JBL Wave Buds support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the time it takes to fully charge the earbuds.

Also the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

JBL Wave Buds 2only

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

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. Say, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.

Has A Mute Function

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

The JBL Wave Buds have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also support the mute function. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

The JBL Wave Buds, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a control panel on them.

Has Voice Prompts

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

The JBL Wave Buds have voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have voice prompts .i.e the earbuds notifies you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them.

Travel Bag Is Included

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

The JBL Wave Buds come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them inside your bag without a casing can easily damage them.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.

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Category	Features	JBL Wave Buds	Bowers & Wilkins PI7
DESIGN	ingress protection (ip) rating	IP54	IP54
	weight	9g	50g
	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	9.2mm
	lowest frequency	20Hz	10Hz
	highest frequency	20,000Hz	20,000Hz
	sound pressure level	100dB/mW	✗
POWER	battery life	8hours	4.5hours
	battery life of charging case	24hours	18hours
	charge time	2hours	3hours
	has wireless charging	✗	✓
	has a battery level indicator	✓	✓
CONNECTIVITY	has usb type-c	✓	✓
	bluetooth version	v5.2	v5
	maximum bluetooth range	10meters	10meters
	has aac	✓	✓
	has aptx adaptive	✓	✓
	has aptx hd	✗	✓
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	✗
	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

Jbl Wave Buds Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Review

Reasons why you might like the JBL Wave Buds

Reasons why you might like the Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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Jbl Wave Buds Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Review In Summary

Jbl Wave Buds Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Review In Detail

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Weight

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

Lowest Frequency

Highest Frequency

Sound Pressure Level

Power

Battery Life

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Charge Time

Has Wireless Charging

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

Bluetooth Version

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Has Aac

Has Aptx Adaptive

Has Aptx Hd

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Mic Sensitivity

Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Supports Fast Charging

Multipoint Count

Has A Mute Function

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Has Voice Prompts

Travel Bag Is Included