Ingress protection ratings is the rating of protection given by a casing, against solids and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value refers to protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to protection 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 the second value of 4 means 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, 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
The JBL Wave Buds have a weight of 9g . We prefer a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7, at 50g
are heavier than the JBL Wave Buds by of 41g
For a device to be true wireless it must have no wires connecting any part of the device together, JBL Wave Buds are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is a key distinction since wireless earbuds have cables linking the two earbuds .
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless because it doesn't have cables linking the 2 earbuds together. JBL Wave Buds are resistant to sweat
JBL Wave Buds have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7 and JBL Wave Buds have stereo speakers
ANC uses more advanced kind of tech to actively counter noise. How it works, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and after inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (inverted noise) giving zero hence "diluting" the noise.
JBL Wave Buds have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes both devices ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. The JBL Wave Buds and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 work with different noise cancellation settings, pick the setting that you prefer for commute or that suites your relaxation time.
JBL Wave Buds stay tightly in place, creating a sound covering that reduces your environment sounds while preventing the device sound from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this means that they reduce ambient noise without using technology 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 the component that makes sound in the earbuds, its size determines the loudness of the device. 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
, as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not indicate that they produce better quality sound.
The JBL Wave Buds's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component produces low recognizable frequencies 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
JBL Wave Buds's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well a particular audio component makes high recognizable frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal on its way through. Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that
both devices can produce equal treble
SPL, is the level of pressure 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 for a single charge. A device's battery life is usually 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
. Every time you recharge your device, 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. This is given by the manufacturer, and the 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 several 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
It takes 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Wave Buds's battery. It is recommended to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for extended periods.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 takes 3 hours to fully charge the battery,
more than that of JBL Wave Buds by 1 hours
The JBL Wave Buds have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your device and charging case. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you tell the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or having a low battery.
JBL Wave Buds have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too use USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current laptops, phones, and tablets.
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. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 has a Bluetooth version of 5,
older than that of JBL Wave Buds
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers. 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
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 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 MacBook. If you intend 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. 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).
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 microphones are 6,
more than that of JBL Wave Buds by 4
. More microphones result in 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 designed to filter out noise from the desired sound.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too use a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy areas. 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 calculation of its sensitivity. It's the 'loudness' of the voice that the earbud microphone can pick up. JBL Wave Buds support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound so that they can still be heard even when wearing them
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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 run but still want to hear traffic.
JBL Wave Buds have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when 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 improving your listening experience. When misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, JBL Wave Buds support the find earbuds feature.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have the find earbuds feature. Simply use the device app on your smartphone to play a sound from your earbuds to find them. The JBL Wave Buds support fast charging.
Most often, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the time it takes to fully charge the earbuds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery fills up much faster.
Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in thirty minutes. The 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 easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.
JBL Wave Buds have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have this function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the device's 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. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a control panel on them. The JBL Wave Buds have voice prompts.
With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you if the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them. JBL Wave Buds come with a special case.
Carrying earphones without a case, or placing them in your pockets without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.
