Overall Score 7.0 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 6.2 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | JBL Wave Buds | Sony LinkBuds S |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IP54 | IPX4 |
weight | 9g | 9.6g | |
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 | 5mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20000Hz | 40000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 100dB/mW | ✗ | |
has a neodymium magnet | ✗ | ✓ | |
POWER | battery life | 8hours | 6hours |
battery life of charging case | 24hours | 14hours | |
charge time | 2hours | 2hours | |
battery power | 47mAh | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
has ldac | ✗ | ✓ | |
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 offered by a casing, against dust and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (water).
Having a value of IP54, the JBL Wave Buds's rating for solids indicates 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, Sony LinkBuds S 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
The JBL Wave Buds have a weight of 9g . We consider a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to carry.
The Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g
are heavier than the JBL Wave Buds with a difference of 0.6g
True wireless devices have no cables connecting any part of the device together, JBL Wave Buds are true wireless for this matter since they have no cables. This is a key difference as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the 2 earbuds .
Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires linking the two earbuds .
JBL Wave Buds are resistant to sweat
Sony LinkBuds S's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use while doing sports such as 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 independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The Sony LinkBuds S also have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation utilises advanced technology to actively cancel noise. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then generates a mirror signal to counter it. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (noise) then adding -1 (inverted noise) giving 0 resulting 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.
Sony LinkBuds S too have ANC making either of the devices ideal for plane rides and rush hour commutes. The JBL Wave Buds and Sony LinkBuds S operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting that suits your travel or that enhances your chill time.
The JBL Wave Buds sit tightly in place, this creates an acoustic covering that reduces background sounds while preventing the device music from leaking out at the same.
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that both tone down ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out.
The JBL Wave Buds driver unit is 8mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass.
A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, its size dictates the sound made by the device.
Sony LinkBuds S driver unit is 5mm in diameter,
which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of JBL Wave Buds by 3mm
, 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 yeah, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound.
The JBL Wave Buds's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio device produces low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.
Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
both devices can make sound with equal bass
JBL Wave Buds's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well a particular audio device generates high audible frequencies and if it changes to the signal while at it.
Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40000Hz, this means that
Sony LinkBuds S generate a clearer and crispier treble than the JBL Wave Buds
SPL, is the pressure level 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.
The Sony LinkBuds S have neodymium magnets, when used in earbuds produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output using less power to do so. They can help generate music at quite a high sound pressure level, using high magnetic flux.
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 commonly given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
Sony LinkBuds S's battery life is
less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 2 hours
. Every 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 no longer play for long like they used to.
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.
Sony LinkBuds S's charging case has a battery life of 14 hours,
less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 10 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 for the first time.
Sony LinkBuds S takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery,
equal to that of the JBL Wave Buds
JBL Wave Buds's battery power is 47mAh, battery power, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can keep.
JBL Wave Buds have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights display the charging status of your earbuds and charging case.
Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, these allow you to tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.
JBL Wave Buds support USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
Sony LinkBuds S too support USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current electronics.
JBL Wave Buds have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Sony LinkBuds S has a Bluetooth version of 5.2,
equal to that of the JBL Wave Buds
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
The JBL Wave Buds have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.
Sony LinkBuds S have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the JBL Wave Buds
JBL Wave Buds support AAC, a codec that is 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 iPhone. 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 Sony LinkBuds S 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.
Sony LinkBuds S support LDAC, a codec developed by Sony which allows streaming high-resolution audio over Bluetooth connections at up to 990 kbps at 32 bit/96 kHz. It is capable of a very high bitrate of 990kbps, which provides high-resolution audio.
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).
JBL Wave Buds have 2 microphones.
Sony LinkBuds S 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 noise.
The JBL Wave Buds use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out noise from the desired sound.
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 earbud microphone can pick up.
JBL Wave Buds support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even when wearing them
The Sony LinkBuds S support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music while being aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a jog but would still want to be able to hear traffic.
JBL Wave Buds support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears .
The Sony LinkBuds S too support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience.
If misplaced in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the JBL Wave Buds support the find earbuds feature.
The Sony LinkBuds S also have the find earbuds feature. Use the earbuds app on your phone to play an alarm from your earbuds to find them.
The JBL Wave Buds support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge the earbuds.
Sony LinkBuds S 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 thirty minutes.
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. For example, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without having to 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 Sony LinkBuds S also have this function. The mute function means that you can 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 features are supported on the device.
The Sony LinkBuds S also have a control panel on them.
JBL Wave Buds support voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection.
The Sony LinkBuds S also support voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you when the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them.
The JBL Wave Buds come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them in your pockets without a casing can easily damage them.
Sony LinkBuds S too have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.