Ingress protection ratings refer to the level of protection given by a casing, against dust and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value represents protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).
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, 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 better for the reason that lighter devices are easier to transport.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7, at 50g
are heavier than the JBL Wave Buds with a difference of 41g
True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, JBL Wave Buds are true wireless for this case since they don't have cables. This is an important distinction since wireless earbuds have cables linking the pair of earbuds together. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless since it has no cables connecting the pair of earbuds together.
JBL Wave Buds have sweat resistance
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, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation utilises advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out.
In simple terms, it's like taking +1 (noise) and producing -1 (counter sound by the device) giving zero resulting in a reduced level of noise.
The JBL Wave Buds have ANC enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the device volume to outcompete background noise. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have ANC making either of the devices ideal for flights and morning travels.
Each work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for travel or that enhances your chill time. The JBL Wave Buds sit tightly in place, creating a sound covering that tones down your environment noise well as preventing the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that both reduce ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.
The JBL Wave Buds driver unit is 8mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size dictates the sound made by 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
, a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers find it difficult to produce 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. JBL Wave Buds's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device generates low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, this implies that
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 make sound with a juicier bass than the JBL Wave Buds
The JBL Wave Buds's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device generates high audible 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 produce equal treble
The sound pressure level, 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 given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery life is
less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 3.5 hours
. Each 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 JBL Wave Buds's case has a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life enables 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
It requires 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Wave Buds's battery.
It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for long periods. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 takes 3 hours to fully charge the battery,
more than that of JBL Wave Buds by 1 hours
JBL Wave Buds have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. Its lights show the charging state of your earbuds and charging case.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you to tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low. The JBL Wave Buds have USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support USB TYPE-C.
This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current electronics. 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. 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 can provide 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 well with your MacBook. If you intend 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 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. 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. JBL Wave Buds have 2 microphones. 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 earbuds to filter out noise.
JBL Wave Buds use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to filter out noise from the desired sound. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too use a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy areas.
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 sound that the earbud microphone can pick up.
The JBL Wave Buds support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound to still be heard even when wearing them
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music while being aware of what’s happening around you, say you’re having a jog but would still want to be able to hear traffic. JBL Wave Buds have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears .
The 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. If lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the JBL Wave Buds support the find earbuds feature.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have the find earbuds feature. Use the earbuds app on your phone to play a sound from your earbuds to help you find them. JBL Wave Buds support fast charging.
Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge the earbuds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, only that the battery fills up much faster.
Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in 30 minutes. JBL Wave Buds have a multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint 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 JBL Wave Buds have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also support the mute function. It means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk.
With 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 too have a control panel on them. JBL Wave Buds support voice prompts.
With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you when the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them. The JBL Wave Buds come with a special case.
Carrying earphones openly, or placing them inside your pockets without a cover can easily damage them. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.
