IP ratings is the rating of protection given by an enclosure, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating 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 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 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, Sony WF 1000XM4 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 WF 1000XM4, at 7.1g
weigh less than the JBL Wave Buds with a difference -1.9g
True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, JBL Wave Buds are true wireless for this matter since they don't have wires. This is a key distinction as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the 2 earbuds .
Sony WF 1000XM4 also is true wireless since it has no cables linking the 2 earbuds together. JBL Wave Buds have sweat resistance
Sony WF 1000XM4'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, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 also have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation makes use of advanced technology to actively cancel noise. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and after inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and producing -1 (inverted noise) giving 0 thus "diluting" the noise.
JBL Wave Buds have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue since you don't have to crank up the device volume to outcompete background sounds. The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes both earbuds ideal for plane rides and rush hour commutes. The JBL Wave Buds and Sony WF 1000XM4 work with different noise cancellation types, pick the mode that suits your commute or that suites your relaxation time.
JBL Wave Buds sit well in place, this creates an acoustic covering that tones down your environment noise well as preventing the device music from leaking out .
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that they tone down ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out. JBL Wave Buds have a unit size of 8mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, the unit size dictates the loudness of the earbuds.
Sony WF 1000XM4 driver unit is 6mm in diameter,
which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of JBL Wave Buds by 2mm
, many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers are capable of generating 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 measures if and how well a particular audio device generates low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal on its way through.
Sony WF 1000XM4'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 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio device produces high human frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it. Sony WF 1000XM4's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this means that
Sony WF 1000XM4 can produce a clearer and crispier treble than the JBL Wave Buds
The sound pressure level, 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.
Sony WF 1000XM4's sound pressure level measurement is 105dB/mW. How loud something is can be perceived differently by different people, so we need to have the means to get a standard 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 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. Sony WF 1000XM4's battery life is
equal to that of the JBL Wave Buds
. Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.
The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and JBL Wave Buds's case is said to have a full charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before having to recharge the case itself. Sony WF 1000XM4's charging case has a battery life of 16 hours,
less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 8 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 unused for extended periods. Sony WF 1000XM4 takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery,
less than that of JBL Wave Buds by 0.5 hours
The 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 state of your device and case.
Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery. The JBL Wave Buds use USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable. Sony WF 1000XM4 too support USB TYPE-C.
This USB-C plug is part and parcel of 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 close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Sony WF 1000XM4 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 connecting via Bluetooth. Sony WF 1000XM4 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.
Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide 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 are planning 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 WF 1000XM4 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).
The JBL Wave Buds have 2 microphones. While the Sony WF 1000XM4 microphones are 4,
more than that of JBL Wave Buds by 2
. More microphones result in better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out noise. The JBL Wave Buds have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to reduce background sounds from the earbuds' sound.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too use a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments. The JBL Wave Buds microphone sensitivity is measured at -38dBV/Pa.
The magnitude 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 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 the earbuds
The Sony WF 1000XM4 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music while being aware of your surrounding, for example when you’re having a jog but still want to hear traffic.
The JBL Wave Buds have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears .
Sony WF 1000XM4 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 be found in your bag, JBL Wave Buds support the find earbuds feature. The Sony WF 1000XM4 also have the find earbuds feature.
Simply use the device app on your phone to play an alarm from your earbuds to locate them. The JBL Wave Buds support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the time it takes to fully charge the earbuds.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too 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.
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 seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect. The Sony WF 1000XM4 have a multipoint count of 2,
equal to that of the JBL Wave Buds
. Bluetooth multipoint comes in handy when you can be on one call and not miss notifications coming from another device.
JBL Wave Buds have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Sony WF 1000XM4 also support the mute function. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' 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 earbuds. The Sony WF 1000XM4 also have a control panel on them. JBL Wave Buds have voice prompts.
Automatically receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. Sony WF 1000XM4 too support voice prompts meaning the earbuds notifies you if the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them. JBL Wave Buds come with a special case.
Carrying earbuds without a case, or placing them in your pockets without a casing may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Sony WF 1000XM4 also have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.
