Overall Score 8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | JBL Wave Buds | Sennheiser Momentum 3 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IP54 | IPX4 |
weight | 9g | 10.6g | |
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 | 7mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 5Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 21,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 100dB/mW | 107dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 8hours | 7hours |
battery life of charging case | 24hours | 21hours | |
charge time | 2hours | 1.5hours | |
has wireless charging | ✗ | ✓ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
has aptx adaptive | ✓ | ✓ | |
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 |
IP ratings refer to the rank of protection given by a casing, against dust and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to resistance 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 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, Sennheiser Momentum 3 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
JBL Wave Buds have a weight of 9g . We prefer a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.
Sennheiser Momentum 3, at 10.6g are heavier than the JBL Wave Buds with a difference of 1.6g True wireless devices have no wires connecting any part of the device together, JBL Wave Buds are true wireless for this case since they don't have cables. This is a key distinction as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the 2 earbuds . Sennheiser Momentum 3 also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires linking the pair of earbuds . JBL Wave Buds are resistant to sweat Sennheiser Momentum 3's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc 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 Sennheiser Momentum 3 also have stereo speakers ANC uses advanced technology to reduce ambient sounds.
How it works, it studies the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and after generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (noise) and producing -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.
JBL Wave Buds have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background sounds.
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 too have Active Noise Cancellation making either of the earbuds ideal for plane rides and rush hour commutes. The JBL Wave Buds and Sennheiser Momentum 3 operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the setting that suits your commute or that suites your relaxation time. JBL Wave Buds sit well in place, creating a sound seal that tones down your environment noise while preventing the earbuds music from leaking out . Both Sennheiser Momentum 3, and JBL Wave Buds have passive noise reduction which means that both limit ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.
JBL Wave Buds driver unit is 8mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is the component that makes sound in the device, its size dictates the sound produced by the earbuds. Sennheiser Momentum 3 driver unit is 7mm in diameter, which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of JBL Wave Buds by 1mm , as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yes, 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 inidcates how well a particular audio component produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal on its way through. Sennheiser Momentum 3's lowest frequency is at 5Hz, this means that
Sennheiser Momentum 3 can produce a juicier bass than the JBL Wave Buds
The JBL Wave Buds's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well an audio device makes high audible frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal while at it.
Sennheiser Momentum 3's highest frequency is at 21,000Hz, this means that Sennheiser Momentum 3 can produce a clearer and crispier treble than the JBL Wave Buds SPL, is the level of pressure 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. Sennheiser Momentum 3's sound pressure level measurement is 107dB/mW.
The sound pressure level, a device is can be perceived differently by different people, so we need to have a way of getting an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms. 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 more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
Sennheiser Momentum 3's battery life is less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 1 hours . Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time. 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 a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before having to recharge the case itself. Sennheiser Momentum 3's charging case has a battery life of 21 hours, less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 3 hours It takes 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Wave Buds's battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for long periods.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery, less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 0.5 hours JBL Wave Buds have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery. Its lights indicate the charging status of your earbuds and charging case. Sennheiser Momentum 3 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.
JBL Wave Buds have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable. Sennheiser Momentum 3 too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets.
The 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. Sennheiser Momentum 3 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, equal to that of the JBL Wave Buds . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. JBL Wave Buds have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 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 a similar bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the JBL Wave Buds will work well with your iPad. 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 Sennheiser Momentum 3 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). Sennheiser Momentum 3 support APTX Adaptive as well which means 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. While the Sennheiser Momentum 3 microphones are 6, more than that of JBL Wave Buds by 4 . More microphones result in better sound quality and help the device to filter out noise. The JBL Wave Buds use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out noise from the earbuds' sound.
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 too use a noise-canceling type of microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments. The JBL Wave Buds microphone sensitivity is measured at -38dBV/Pa.
The amount 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 microphone can recognize. JBL Wave Buds support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even when wearing them The Sennheiser Momentum 3 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music while being aware of what’s happening around you, say you’re having a run but would still want to hear traffic.
JBL Wave Buds support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears . The Sennheiser Momentum 3 too support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears saving battery life. If misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, JBL Wave Buds have a find earbuds feature. JBL Wave Buds support fast charging.
Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to fully charge the earbuds. Sennheiser Momentum 3 support fast charging. This kind is 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. The JBL Wave Buds support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.
JBL Wave Buds have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 also have the mute function. It means that you unilaterally turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party's voice.
The JBL Wave Buds, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the device. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 also have a control panel on them. JBL Wave Buds have voice prompts.
Automatically receive information through audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 too support voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge them. JBL Wave Buds come with a special case.
Carrying earphones openly, or placing them inside your bag without a cover may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Sennheiser Momentum 3 also have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.