Overall Score 5.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 4.9 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Skullcandy Indy Fuel | JBL Live Free 2 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IP55 | IPX5 |
weight | 57g | 9.8g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
wingtips included | ✓ | ✗ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
is dust proof and water-resistant | ✓ | ✗ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✗ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 6mm | 11mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20000Hz | 20000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 105dB/mW | 102dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 3hours | 7hours |
battery life of charging case | 27hours | 28hours | |
charge time | 0.3hours | ✗ | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✗ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | ✗ | 10meters | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | ✗ | 6only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✗ | ✓ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✗ | ✓ |
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 |
Ingress protection ratings refer to the level of protection given by a casing, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (water).
Having a value of IP55, the Skullcandy Indy Fuel's rating is read as, the first value 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 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 Skullcandy Indy Fuel, 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
The Skullcandy Indy Fuel have a weight of 57g . We take in account a lower weight better because lighter devices are easier to move with.
The JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g
weigh less than the Skullcandy Indy Fuel by -47.2g
For a device to be true wireless it must have no wires connecting any part of the device together, Skullcandy Indy Fuel are true wireless for this matter since they have no cables. This is an important difference since wireless earbuds have wires linking the 2 earbuds together.
JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless because it doesn't have wires linking the two earbuds .
The Skullcandy Indy Fuel come with wingtips, these are reserved for earbuds for workouts and come as an optional add-on to each silicone ear tip for a more secure fit.
Skullcandy Indy Fuel have sweat resistance
JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc
Skullcandy Indy Fuel are both dustproof and water-resistant.
Skullcandy Indy Fuel have stereo speakers, what this means is that Skullcandy Indy Fuel's speakers deliver sound from separate 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 uses advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 (noise) then producing -1 (inverted noise) giving zero which results in a reduced level of noise.
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 overcome background noise.
Skullcandy Indy Fuel stay well in place, this creates an acoustic seal that reduces background sounds while preventing the earbuds voice audio from leaking out at the same.
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that both limit ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out.
The Skullcandy Indy Fuel driver unit is 6mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass.
The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the device, the unit size corellates with the sound produced by the device.
JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter,
making them have a larger driver unit than that of Skullcandy Indy Fuel by 5mm
, 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 can generate louder sound, but this does not indicate that they produce better quality sound.
The Skullcandy Indy Fuel's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio device generates low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal while at it.
JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
both devices produce equal bass
Skullcandy Indy Fuel's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device makes high audible 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 implies that
both devices can produce equal treble
SPL, is the pressure level of sound, in decibels, dB, Skullcandy Indy Fuel's measurement is 105dB/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. The sound pressure level, a device is can be taken differently by different people, so we need to have the means to get an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.
Skullcandy Indy Fuel's battery life is 3 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
more than that of Skullcandy Indy Fuel by 4 hours
. Every time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.
This is given by the vendor, and Skullcandy Indy Fuel's case is said to have a charge of 27 hours. A charging case with more battery hours 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 Skullcandy Indy Fuel by 1 hours
It requires 0.3 hours to fully charge the Skullcandy Indy Fuel's battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.
The Skullcandy Indy Fuel, the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply place down on a compatible charging pad.
Skullcandy Indy Fuel have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery. Its lights display the charging state of your earbuds and case.
JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.
The JBL Live Free 2 support USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.
The Skullcandy Indy Fuel have Bluetooth version of 5, 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,
newer than that of Skullcandy Indy Fuel
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
JBL Live Free 2 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.
The JBL Live Free 2 have 6 microphones.
The JBL Live Free 2 use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to reduce background sounds from the earbuds' sound.
The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound to still be heard even when wearing them
Skullcandy Indy Fuel support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to fully charge a device.
The JBL Live Free 2 too support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just thirty minutes.
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. Say, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.
The Skullcandy Indy Fuel have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The JBL Live Free 2 also support the mute function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party talk.
The Skullcandy Indy Fuel, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.
JBL Live Free 2 too have a control panel on them.
The Skullcandy Indy Fuel have voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection.
JBL Live Free 2 also support voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them.
The Skullcandy Indy Fuel come with a special case. Carrying earphones without a case, or placing them in your pockets without a casing may easily put them at risk of getting damaged.
JBL Live Free 2 too have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.