A breakdown of the review per specifications

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

JBL Wave Buds IP54

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 IP54

Ingress protection ratings refer to the level of protection given by a casing, against solids and liquids. 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 protection against liquids (water).

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 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.

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

The JBL Wave Buds have a weight of 9g . We consider a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are easier to move with.

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

Has No Wires Or Cables

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

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 case since they have no wires. This is an important distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the pair of earbuds .

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless because it doesn't have wires linking the pair of earbuds together.

Sweat Resistance

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

JBL Wave Buds have sweat resistance

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, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.

Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7 and JBL Wave Buds have stereo speakers

JBL Wave Buds
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Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

ANC makes use of advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) and producing -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 resulting in a reduced level of noise.

The JBL Wave Buds have ANC 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 overcome background sounds.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes both devices ideal for flights and morning commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the mode that suits your travel or that enhances your relaxation time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

The JBL Wave Buds sit tightly in place, creating a sound seal that tones down your environment sounds while preventing the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same.

Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7, and JBL Wave Buds have passive noise reduction this implies that they tone down ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

JBL Wave Buds 8mm

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 9.2mm

JBL Wave Buds have a unit size of 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 device, the unit 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 , 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 yes, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not imply that they deliver 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 measures if and how well an audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal on its way through.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, this implies that Bowers & Wilkins PI7 can produce a juicier bass than the JBL Wave Buds

Highest Frequency

JBL Wave Buds 20000Hz

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 20000Hz

JBL Wave Buds's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well a particular audio device makes high audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, this means that both devices generate equal treble

Sound Pressure Level

JBL Wave Buds 100dB/mW

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

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.

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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 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 . Every time you recharge your device, 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.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

JBL Wave Buds 24hours

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 18hours

The battery life of the charging case 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 allows 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

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 when they have been unused for long periods.

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

Battery Power

JBL Wave Buds 47mAh

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

JBL Wave Buds's battery capacity is 47mAh, battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can keep.

Has Wireless Charging

JBL Wave Buds ✗

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

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

Has A Battery Level Indicator

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

The JBL Wave Buds have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your earbuds and case.

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

JBL Wave Buds
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Has Usb Type-C

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

The 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 use USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current electronics.

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 transfers 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

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. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.

Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the JBL Wave Buds will work fine with your iPad. 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 ✓

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 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).

A Review By Comparison Of The Technics Eah Az80 Vs. Jbl Wave Buds

Number Of Microphones

JBL Wave Buds 2only

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 6only

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 record better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out noise.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

The JBL Wave Buds use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to reduce noise from the earbuds' sound.

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

Mic Sensitivity

JBL Wave Buds -38dBV/Pa

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

JBL Wave Buds microphone sensitivity is measured at -38dBV/Pa. The vastness 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.

JBL Wave Buds
See price on Amazon

Has Ambient Sound Mode

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

The JBL Wave Buds support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound 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 while being aware of your surrounding, for example when you’re having a run but would still want to be able to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Wave Buds have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are 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.

Has Find Earbuds Feature

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

If misplaced in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the JBL Wave Buds have a find earbuds feature.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have the find earbuds feature. Use the device app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your earbuds to locate them.

Supports Fast Charging

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

The JBL Wave Buds support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to fully charge the earbuds.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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 is charged to 50% in thirty minutes.

Multipoint Count

JBL Wave Buds 2only

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

The JBL Wave Buds support multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.

Has A Mute Function

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Wave Buds have a mute function, they support the feature 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 easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the device.

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

Has Voice Prompts

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Wave Buds have 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 support voice prompts meaning the device notifies you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge the device.

Travel Bag Is Included

JBL Wave Buds ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

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

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a case included, which offers safe transportation.

A Review By Comparison Of The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Vs. Jbl Wave Buds

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	20000Hz	20000Hz
	sound pressure level	100dB/mW	✗
POWER	battery life	8hours	4.5hours
	battery life of charging case	24hours	18hours
	charge time	2hours	3hours
	battery power	47mAh	✗
	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

A Review By Comparison of the Jbl Wave Buds Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7

Reasons why you might like the JBL Wave Buds

Reasons why you might like the Bowers & Wilkins PI7

A summary of the review by feature comparison

A breakdown of the review per specifications

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

Battery Power

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

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