Home Wireless Earbuds Oneplus Buds Z2 Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

A Review By Comparison of the Oneplus Buds Z2 Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

Last updated on Mar 14, 2023   7 min read
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OnePlus Buds Z2

OnePlus Buds Z2

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Reasons why you might like the OnePlus Buds Z2

Overall Score 6 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IP55
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 7 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
VS
JBL Live Free 2

JBL Live Free 2

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Reasons why you might like the JBL Live Free 2

Overall Score 5.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX5
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 7 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode

A breakdown of the review per specifications

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

OnePlus Buds Z2 IP55
JBL Live Free 2 IPX5

IP ratings refer to the rank of protection given by an enclosure, against solids and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

Having a value of IP55, the OnePlus Buds Z2'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 the second number of 5 means that they can withstand medium pressure jet that's 6.3mm diameter, similar to garden hose from any angle for 3 minutes at a distance of 2.5 to 3 metres.

Compared to the OnePlus Buds Z2, 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, they both have the same rating against liquids

Weight

OnePlus Buds Z2 9g
JBL Live Free 2 9.8g

The OnePlus Buds Z2 have a weight of 9g . We take in account a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.

The JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g weigh more than the OnePlus Buds Z2 by of 0.8g

Has No Wires Or Cables

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, OnePlus Buds Z2 are true wireless for this case since they have no cables. This is a key difference as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the pair of earbuds .

JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it doesn't have wires connecting the two earbuds together.

Sweat Resistance

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

OnePlus Buds Z2 are resistant to sweat

JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc

Has Stereo Speakers

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

OnePlus Buds Z2 have stereo speakers, what this means is that OnePlus Buds Z2's speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.

The JBL Live Free 2 also have stereo speakers

OnePlus Buds Z2
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

Active noise cancellation uses more advanced technology to reduce ambient sounds. How it works, it studies the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and after inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) and producing -1 (counter sound by the device) giving zero thus "diluting" the noise.

The OnePlus Buds Z2 have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background sounds.

JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC which makes either of the devices ideal for flights and rush hour commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the mode that suits your travel or that suites your relaxation time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

The OnePlus Buds Z2 sit well in place, creating a sound covering that reduces background sounds while preventing the device music from leaking out at the same.

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this means that both reduce ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

OnePlus Buds Z2 11mm
JBL Live Free 2 11mm

OnePlus Buds Z2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, its size dictates the sound made by the earbuds.

JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making both devices similar in how loud their sound gets , 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 yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not indicate that they deliver better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

OnePlus Buds Z2 20Hz
JBL Live Free 2 20Hz

OnePlus Buds Z2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal while at it.

JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that both devices can produce equal bass

Highest Frequency

OnePlus Buds Z2 20000Hz
JBL Live Free 2 20000Hz

OnePlus Buds Z2's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well a particular audio component produces high human frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal on its way through.

JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, this means that both devices produce equal treble

Sound Pressure Level

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2 102dB/mW

The sound pressure level, is the pressure level of sound, in decibels, dB, JBL Live Free 2's measurement is 102dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.

Power

Battery Life

OnePlus Buds Z2 7hours
JBL Live Free 2 7hours

The OnePlus Buds Z2's battery life is 7 hours, 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.

JBL Live Free 2's battery life is equal to that of the OnePlus Buds Z2 . Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

OnePlus Buds Z2 31hours
JBL Live Free 2 28hours

This is given by the manufacturer, and the OnePlus Buds Z2's case is said to have a charge of 31 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before having to recharge the case itself.

JBL Live Free 2's charging case has a battery life of 28 hours, less than that of OnePlus Buds Z2 by 3 hours

Charge Time

OnePlus Buds Z2 1.5hours
JBL Live Free 2

It requires 1.5 hours to fully charge the OnePlus Buds Z2's battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.

Battery Power

OnePlus Buds Z2 40mAh
JBL Live Free 2

OnePlus Buds Z2's battery power is 40mAh, battery power, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

The OnePlus Buds Z2 have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights indicate the charging status of your earbuds and case.

JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, these enable you tell the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or having a low battery.

OnePlus Buds Z2
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Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

The OnePlus Buds Z2 have USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.

JBL Live Free 2 too support USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current electronics.

Bluetooth Version

OnePlus Buds Z2 v5.2
JBL Live Free 2 v5.2

The OnePlus Buds Z2 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.

JBL Live Free 2 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, equal to that of the OnePlus Buds Z2 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

OnePlus Buds Z2 10meters
JBL Live Free 2 10meters

The OnePlus Buds Z2 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.

JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the OnePlus Buds Z2

Has Aac

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

OnePlus Buds Z2 support AAC, a codec that is 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 OnePlus Buds Z2 will work fine 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.

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

OnePlus Buds Z2 6only
JBL Live Free 2 6only

The OnePlus Buds Z2 have 6 microphones.

JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6, equal to that of the OnePlus Buds Z2 . More microphones result in better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

The OnePlus Buds Z2 use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out noise from the desired sound.

The JBL Live Free 2 too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is useful in noisy environments.

OnePlus Buds Z2
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Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound so that they can still be heard even while wearing them

Has In/On-Ear Detection

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

The OnePlus Buds Z2 have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused.

Has Find Earbuds Feature

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

If lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the OnePlus Buds Z2 support the find earbuds feature.

Supports Fast Charging

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

OnePlus Buds Z2 support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to charge the earbuds.

JBL Live Free 2 support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery fills up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2 2only

The JBL Live Free 2 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

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

OnePlus Buds Z2 have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.

The JBL Live Free 2 also have this function. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

With the OnePlus Buds Z2, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds.

JBL Live Free 2 also have a control panel on them.

Has Voice Prompts

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

OnePlus Buds Z2 have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection.

JBL Live Free 2 also support voice prompts meaning the earbuds notifies you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge them.

Travel Bag Is Included

OnePlus Buds Z2
JBL Live Free 2

OnePlus Buds Z2 come with a special case. Carrying earphones without a case, or placing them inside your bag without a cover may easily put them at risk of getting damaged.

JBL Live Free 2 too have a case included, which offers safe transportation.

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