Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 6.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Technics EAH AZ100 | JBL Live Free 2 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
weight | 11.8g | 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 | 10mm | 11mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 40,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | ✗ | 102dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 12hours | 7hours |
battery life of charging case | 18hours | 28hours | |
charge time | 2hours | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.3 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✗ | |
has ldac | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | ✗ | 6only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✓ |
has in/on-ear detection | ✓ | ✗ | |
has find earbuds feature | ✓ | ✗ | |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
multipoint count | 3only | 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 rating of protection given by a casing, against dust and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (water).
Having a value of IPX4, the Technics EAH AZ100's rating is read as, the first value of X denotes 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. Compared to the Technics EAH AZ100, 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,
JBL Live Free 2 has a higher liquid rating than Technics EAH AZ100
The Technics EAH AZ100 have a weight of 11.8g . We prefer a lower weight better because lighter devices are easier to carry.
The JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g weigh less than the Technics EAH AZ100 by -2g True wireless devices have no wires connecting any part of the device together, Technics EAH AZ100 are true wireless for this matter since they have no cables. This is an important difference since wireless earbuds have cables connecting the two earbuds . JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless since it doesn't have cables linking the two earbuds . Technics EAH AZ100 have sweat resistance JBL Live Free 2's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use during long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc Technics EAH AZ100 have stereo speakers, what this means is that Technics EAH AZ100's speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience. Both JBL Live Free 2 and Technics EAH AZ100 have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation utilises more advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds.
ANC works when, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (noise) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero therefore "diluting" the noise.
Technics EAH AZ100 have ANC allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue since you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background sounds.
The JBL Live Free 2 too have ANC making either of the earbuds ideal for flights and morning travels. The Technics EAH AZ100 and JBL Live Free 2 work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for travel or that enhances your relaxation time. Technics EAH AZ100 stay tightly in place, creating an acoustic covering that tones down your environment noise well as preventing the device sound from leaking out . Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this means that both reduce ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out.
Technics EAH AZ100 driver unit is 10mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, the unit size corellates with the loudness of the earbuds. JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making them have a larger driver unit than that of Technics EAH AZ100 by 1mm , as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not indicate that they produce better quality sound. Technics EAH AZ100's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio component generates low recognizable 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 can produce equal bass
The Technics EAH AZ100's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio component makes high audible 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 Technics EAH AZ100 produce a clearer and crispier treble than the JBL Live Free 2 The Technics EAH AZ100's battery life is 12 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge. A device's battery life is commonly 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 Technics EAH AZ100 by 5 hours . Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time.
The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and the Technics EAH AZ100's case is said to have a charge of 18 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, more than that of Technics EAH AZ100 by 10 hours It takes 2 hours to fully charge the Technics EAH AZ100's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for long periods. Technics EAH AZ100 have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery.
The battery indicator lights display the charging status of your device and charging case. JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you determine the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low. Technics EAH AZ100 use 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. The Technics EAH AZ100 have Bluetooth version of 5.3, 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, older than that of Technics EAH AZ100 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The Technics EAH AZ100 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth. JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Technics EAH AZ100 Technics EAH AZ100 support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because 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 Technics EAH AZ100 will work well with your iPhone.
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. The Technics EAH AZ100 support LDAC, a codec developed by Sony which allows streaming high-resolution audio over Bluetooth connections at up to 990 kbps at 32 bit/96 kHz. It can reach a high bitrate of 990kbps, which provides high-resolution audio.
Technics EAH AZ100 use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce background sounds from the desired sound. The JBL Live Free 2 too use a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments.
The Technics EAH AZ100 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises so that they can still be heard even while wearing the earbuds The JBL Live Free 2 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, say you’re having a jog but still want to be able to hear traffic. The Technics EAH AZ100 support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears . If lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Technics EAH AZ100 support the find earbuds feature. The Technics EAH AZ100 support fast charging.
Most often, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to 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 30 minutes. The Technics EAH AZ100 have a multipoint of 3 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 having to manually disconnect and reconnect.
The JBL Live Free 2 have a multipoint count of 2, less than that of Technics EAH AZ100 by 1 only . Bluetooth multipoint comes in handy when you can be on one call without missing notifications from another connected device. Technics EAH AZ100 have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The JBL Live Free 2 too support the mute function.
The mute function means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk. The Technics EAH AZ100, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device. JBL Live Free 2 also have a control panel on them.
Technics EAH AZ100 support voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection. The JBL Live Free 2 too support voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you if the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them.
The Technics EAH AZ100 come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them in your bag without a casing may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. JBL Live Free 2 too have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.