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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a major concern and you're looking for good quality without breaking the bank, the JBL Live Pro 2 earbuds may be the more economical option. However, if you're keen on having the best noise cancellation and sound quality, and don't mind spending more, the Sony WF1000XM5 tend to be preferred. The Sony pair may also have features such as touch controls, ambient sound control, and speak-to-chat technology that can enhance your listening experience, particularly if you value advanced features and optimization for a variety of environments and content. Remember, though, that each person values different features, so consider what's most important to you in your daily use—whether it's comfort, battery life, noise cancellation, sound quality, or additional functionalities. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the JBL Live Pro 2
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM5
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
5.9
8.0
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for music, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
4.9
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Live Pro 2 is somewhat better.
Battery
8.3 Hours
9.0 Hours
The JBL Live Pro 2 has 8.3 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$90
$298
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The JBL Live Pro 2 has a price of $90 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
Build Quality
7.0
8.5
The Sony WF1000XM5 has very good build quality, while the JBL Live Pro 2 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.3
5.1
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.2
5.0
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.5
5.4
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Live Pro 2 to be excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is very good.
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How the JBL Live Pro 2 and the Sony WF1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Pro 2 | Sony WF1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$90 | $298 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | July 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 8.3 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.8 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.8 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
JBL Live Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | February 2023
"The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS occupy an interesting space in the wireless earbuds market. They’re a step up from cheap wireless earbuds and allow you to access better sound quality without having to make the jump to more premium options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. They’re an entertaining listen, easy to use and manage to pack in a lot of useful features. We think they’re well worth a listen."
Sony WF1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Harley Maranan | July 2023
"The Sony WF-1000XM5 is among the best noise canceling earbuds currently on the market, and they aren’t cheap. These earbuds aren’t the best choice for budget-conscious listeners. But if you prioritize active noise cancelation, sound quality, and extensive software support, the WF-1000XM5 is worth its premium price tag."
Get a great deal on the JBL Live Pro 2 or the Sony WF1000XM5
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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