Overall Score 6.6 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 5.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Sennheiser CX 500BT | JBL Live Free 2 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
weight | 12g | 9.8g | |
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 | |
lowest frequency | 5Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 21000Hz | 20000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 94dB/mW | 102dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 8hours | 7hours |
battery life of charging case | 16hours | 28hours | |
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 | 4only | 6only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
highest mic frequency | 10000Hz | ✗ | |
lowest mic frequency | 100Hz | ✗ | |
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 | ✓ | ✓ | |
warranty period | 2Years | ✗ | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
IP ratings is the rank of protection offered by a casing, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (water).
Having a value of IPX4, the Sennheiser CX 500BT's rating is read as, the first value of X denotes that no data available to specify a protection rating, 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 Sennheiser CX 500BT, JBL Live Free 2 have a rating of IPX5 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
Sennheiser CX 500BT has a lower liquid rating than JBL Live Free 2
Sennheiser CX 500BT have a weight of 12g . We prefer a lower weight better because lighter devices are easier to move with.
JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g
weigh less than the Sennheiser CX 500BT with a difference -2.2g
For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables linking any part of the device together, Sennheiser CX 500BT are true wireless for this matter since they don't have cables. This is a major distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the two earbuds together.
JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it has no cables connecting the pair of earbuds .
Sennheiser CX 500BT 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
Sennheiser CX 500BT 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 JBL Live Free 2 also have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation utilises advanced technology to actively counter noise. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (inverted noise) giving 0 thus "diluting" the noise.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears since you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background sounds.
The JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC making both devices ideal for flights and morning travels. Each operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the setting that you prefer for travel or that enhances your chill time.
Sennheiser CX 500BT stay tightly in place, creating a sound covering that reduces your environment sounds and also prevents the earbuds music from leaking out .
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this means that both tone down ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.
The JBL Live Free 2 have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, its size dictates the loudness of the device.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT's lowest frequency is at 5Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal on its way through.
JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that
Sennheiser CX 500BT can produce a juicier bass than the JBL Live Free 2
Sennheiser CX 500BT's highest frequency is at 21000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component makes high human frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal while at it.
JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, this implies that
Sennheiser CX 500BT generate a clearer and crispier treble than the JBL Live Free 2
The sound pressure level, is the level of pressure of sound, in decibels, dB, Sennheiser CX 500BT's measurement is 94dB/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 persons, so we need to have the means to get an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.
Sennheiser CX 500BT'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 given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings.
JBL Live Free 2's battery life is
less than that of Sennheiser CX 500BT by 1 hours
. Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.
The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and the Sennheiser CX 500BT's case has a charge of 16 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.
JBL Live Free 2's charging case has a battery life of 28 hours,
more than that of Sennheiser CX 500BT by 12 hours
Sennheiser CX 500BT have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights display the charging status of your device and case.
JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.
Sennheiser CX 500BT have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
JBL Live Free 2 too use USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current electronics.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables 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 Sennheiser CX 500BT
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.
JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the Sennheiser CX 500BT
Sennheiser CX 500BT support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because 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 Sennheiser CX 500BT will work well with your iPhone. If you are planning on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.
Sennheiser CX 500BT 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 CX 500BT have 4 microphones.
While the JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6,
more than that of Sennheiser CX 500BT by 2
. More microphones result in better sound quality and help the device to filter out background sounds.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out background sounds from the desired sound.
The JBL Live Free 2 too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is useful in noisy environments.
Sennheiser CX 500BT's highest mic frequency is 10000Hz, high frequencies are better for recording treble. The highest mic frequency of a microphone is defined as its upper limiting frequency.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT's lowest mic frequency is 100Hz, low frequencies are best for picking up bass. The lowest mic frequency of a microphone is defined as its lower limiting frequency.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises so that they can still be heard even when wearing the earbuds
The JBL Live Free 2 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 still want to be able to hear traffic.
Sennheiser CX 500BT support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused.
When misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, Sennheiser CX 500BT have a find earbuds feature.
Sennheiser CX 500BT support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the time it takes to fully charge a device.
JBL Live Free 2 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.
JBL Live Free 2 have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The JBL Live Free 2 also have this function. It means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the device.
The JBL Live Free 2 also have a control panel on them.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT 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 following instruction manuals.
Sennheiser CX 500BT have voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.
JBL Live Free 2 also have voice prompts meaning the earbuds will notify you if the battery is low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT come with their own special case. Carrying earphones without a case, or putting them in your bag without a cover may easily damage them.
JBL Live Free 2 also have a case included, which offers safe transportation.