Home Wireless Earbuds Sony Wf C500 Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

Sony Wf C500 Vs. Jbl Live Free 2 Review

Last updated on Mar 30, 2024   7 minute read
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JBL Live Free 2

JBL Live Free 2

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Reasons why you might like the JBL Live Free 2

Overall Score 6.5 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
VS
Sony WF C500

Sony WF C500

See price on Amazon

Reasons why you might like the Sony WF C500

Overall Score 6 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Battery Life of 10 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 2 only

Sony Wf C500 Vs. Jbl Live Free 2 Review In Summary

Category Features JBL Live Free 2 Sony WF C500
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating IPX5 IPX4
weight 9.8g 10.8g
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 5.8mm
lowest frequency 20Hz 20Hz
highest frequency 20,000Hz 20,000Hz
sound pressure level 102dB/mW
POWER battery life 7hours 10hours
battery life of charging case 28hours 10hours
charge time 2.5hours
has a battery level indicator
CONNECTIVITY has usb type-c
bluetooth version v5.2 v5
maximum bluetooth range 10meters 9meters
has aac
MICROPHONE number of microphones 6only 2only
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
warranty period 1Years
has voice prompts
travel bag is included
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Sony Wf C500 Vs. Jbl Live Free 2 Review In Detail

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

JBL Live Free 2 IPX5
Sony WF C500 IPX4

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

Scoring IPX4, the Sony WF C500's rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second number 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 Sony WF C500, 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, Sony WF C500 has a lower liquid rating than JBL Live Free 2

Weight

JBL Live Free 2 9.8g
Sony WF C500 10.8g

Sony WF C500 have a weight of 10.8g . We take in account a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.

The JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g weigh less than the Sony WF C500 by -1g

Has No Wires Or Cables

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

For a device to be true wireless it should have no wires linking any part of the device together, Sony WF C500 are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is an important distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the pair of earbuds .

JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless since it has no wires linking the two earbuds .

Sweat Resistance

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

Sony WF C500 have sweat resistance

JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc

Has Stereo Speakers

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

Sony WF C500 have stereo speakers, what this means is that Sony WF C500's 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

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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

Active noise cancellation utilises advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 resulting in a reduced level of noise.

JBL Live Free 2 have ANC enabling 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.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

The Sony WF C500 sit well in place, creating an acoustic seal that reduces background noise and also prevents the earbuds voice audio from leaking out at the same.

Both JBL Live Free 2, and Sony WF C500 have passive noise reduction which implies that they limit ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

JBL Live Free 2 11mm
Sony WF C500 5.8mm

Sony WF C500 driver unit is 5.8mm 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 earbuds, the unit 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 Sony WF C500 by 5.2mm , a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.

However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

JBL Live Free 2 20Hz
Sony WF C500 20Hz

The Sony WF C500's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio device produces low recognizable frequencies and if it alters the signal while at it.

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

Highest Frequency

JBL Live Free 2 20,000Hz
Sony WF C500 20,000Hz

Sony WF C500's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component makes high human frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal on its way through.

JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices can generate equal treble

Sound Pressure Level

JBL Live Free 2 102dB/mW
Sony WF C500

SPL, 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

JBL Live Free 2 7hours
Sony WF C500 10hours

The Sony WF C500's battery life is 10 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.

JBL Live Free 2's battery life is less than that of Sony WF C500 by 3 hours . Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

JBL Live Free 2 28hours
Sony WF C500 10hours

The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and Sony WF C500's case is said to have a charge of 10 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before recharging the case itself.

JBL Live Free 2's charging case has a battery life of 28 hours, more than that of Sony WF C500 by 18 hours

Charge Time

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500 2.5hours

It takes 2.5 hours to fully charge the Sony WF C500's battery. It is recommended to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for extended periods.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

The Sony WF C500 have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show 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, whether fully charged, or having a low battery.

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Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

The Sony WF C500 have USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.

JBL Live Free 2 too support USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current laptops, phones, and tablets.

Bluetooth Version

JBL Live Free 2 v5.2
Sony WF C500 v5

Sony WF C500 have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.

JBL Live Free 2 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, newer than that of Sony WF C500 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

JBL Live Free 2 10meters
Sony WF C500 9meters

The Sony WF C500 have a 9meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.

JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters, longer than that of Sony WF C500 by 1meters

Has Aac

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

Sony WF C500 support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.

Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Sony WF C500 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.

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

JBL Live Free 2 6only
Sony WF C500 2only

Sony WF C500 have 2 microphones.

JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6, more than that of Sony WF C500 by 4 . More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out background sounds.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

The JBL Live Free 2 have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce noise from the desired sound.

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Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises to still be heard even when wearing the earbuds

Supports Fast Charging

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

The Sony WF C500 support fast charging. Most often, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge a device.

JBL Live Free 2 too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

JBL Live Free 2 2only
Sony WF C500

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 seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.

Has A Mute Function

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

The Sony WF C500 have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.

The JBL Live Free 2 too have the mute function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party's voice.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

With the Sony WF C500, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the device.

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

Warranty Period

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500 1Years

Sony WF C500 have a warranty period of 1 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.

Has Voice Prompts

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

Sony WF C500 have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection.

The JBL Live Free 2 too have voice prompts .i.e the device will notify you if the battery is low, and you need to recharge the earbuds.

Travel Bag Is Included

JBL Live Free 2
Sony WF C500

Sony WF C500 come with their own special pouch. Carrying earphones without a case, or putting them in your pockets without a casing may easily damage them.

JBL Live Free 2 also have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.