JBL Live Free 2
See price on AmazonOverall Score 6.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
JLab Go Air
See price on AmazonOverall Score 5.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | JBL Live Free 2 | JLab Go Air |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX5 | IP44 |
weight | 9.8g | 10g | |
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 | 11mm | 8mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 102dB/mW | 103dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 7hours | 5hours |
battery life of charging case | 28hours | 15hours | |
charge time | ✗ | 1.5hours | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✗ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 6only | 2only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✗ | |
mic sensitivity | ✗ | -38dBV/Pa | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✗ |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✗ | |
multipoint count | 2only | ✗ | |
has a mute function | ✓ | ✗ | |
control panel placed on a device | ✓ | ✓ | |
warranty period | ✗ | 2Years | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✗ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
IP ratings refer to the rating of protection given by an enclosure, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value means protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).
Scoring IP44, the JLab Go Air's rating is read as, the first number of 4 denotes that they are protected against objects greater than 1.0mm such as wire, 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 JLab Go Air, JBL Live Free 2 have a rating of IPX5 meaning that
no data available to specify a protection rating
and that of liquids is that,
JLab Go Air has a lower liquid rating than JBL Live Free 2
The JLab Go Air have a weight of 10g . We consider a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.
The JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g
weigh less than the JLab Go Air by -0.2g
For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables connecting any part of the device together, JLab Go Air are true wireless for this case since they have no cables. This is a key difference as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the 2 earbuds together.
JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless since it has no wires connecting the 2 earbuds together.
JLab Go Air are resistant to sweat
JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use during long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc
JLab Go Air have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The JBL Live Free 2 also have stereo speakers
ANC utilises advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and inverts the soundwaves to counter it. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (noise) then producing -1 (inverted noise) giving zero hence "diluting" the noise.
The JBL Live Free 2 have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise.
The JLab Go Air stay tightly in place, this creates an acoustic covering that reduces your environment noise and also prevents the device music from leaking out at the same.
Both JBL Live Free 2, and JLab Go Air have passive noise reduction this means that they reduce ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out.
JLab Go Air driver unit is 8mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass.
A driver unit is the component that produces sound in the earbuds, its size dictates the loudness of the device.
JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter,
making them have a larger driver unit than that of JLab Go Air by 3mm
, 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 can generate louder sound, but this does not imply that they deliver better quality sound.
The JLab Go Air's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio device generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.
JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
both devices can make sound with equal bass
The JLab Go Air's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well a particular audio component makes high recognizable frequencies and if it changes to the signal on its way through.
JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that
both devices generate equal treble
SPL, is the pressure level of sound, measured in decibels, dB, JLab Go Air's measurement is 103dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.
JBL Live Free 2's sound pressure level measurement is 102dB/mW. How loud something is can be taken differently by separate people, so we need to have the means to get an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.
JLab Go Air's battery life is 5 hours, these last less 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.
JBL Live Free 2's battery life is
more than that of JLab Go Air by 2 hours
. Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening 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 the JLab Go Air's case is said to have a charge of 15 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before having to recharge the case itself.
JBL Live Free 2's charging case has a battery life of 28 hours,
more than that of JLab Go Air by 13 hours
It requires 1.5 hours to fully charge the JLab Go Air's battery. It is recommended to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.
JLab Go Air have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the device has a low battery. Its lights indicate the charging status of your device and case.
JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery.
JBL Live Free 2 use USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.
JLab Go Air have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
JBL Live Free 2 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2,
newer than that of JLab Go Air
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
The JLab Go Air have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.
JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the JLab Go Air
The JLab Go Air have 2 microphones.
While the JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6,
more than that of JLab Go Air by 4
. More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out noise.
The JBL Live Free 2 use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce noise from the desired sound.
JLab Go Air 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 voice that the microphone can pick up.
The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound so that they can still be heard even when wearing them
JBL Live Free 2 support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to fully charge a device.
JBL Live Free 2 support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect 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 Live Free 2 have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.
With the JLab Go Air, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds.
The JBL Live Free 2 too have a control panel on them.
JLab Go Air have a warranty period of 2 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals.
JLab Go Air support voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.
The JBL Live Free 2 also have voice prompts .i.e the earbuds notifies you when the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them.
The JBL Live Free 2 come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds without a case, or putting them inside your pockets without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.