JBL and EV are both American companies that deal with the production of audio hardware for both car and home use. These products include loudspeakers, headphones, amplifiers, car stereos, microphones, and a lot more.
There are many features that distinguish these two companies and they will be addressed in this article.
Quick History
JBL
JBL was founded by James Bullough Lansing in 1946. James is an American audio engineer. The popularity of the JBL company goes far and wide with a success record across many countries.
The company was initially known as James B. Lansing Sound incorporated, and some of the first JBL devices were called Lansing Sound.
EV
Electro-Voice (EV) was founded by Al Kahn and Lou Burroughs in 1927 in South Bend, Indiana.
Since February 1998, Electro-Voice has been a branch of Telex Communications Inc. selling out its products to retailers.
Build Quality
JBL produces devices with great build quality. Their headphones are built with a full metal body while their speakers are wrapped with a fabric material which makes them waterproof and very durable. JBL also uses tough rubber to cover the exposed bass radiator of some of their devices.
Electro-voice products are made of rigid and hard plastic which gives them the strength to withstand unintentional knockdown.
The chassis of most of their products are constructed of sturdy and lightweight plastic and metals such as aluminum and polypropylene.
Features
JBL
Below are some features possessed by JBL devices for comfortable use:
- USB-C and USB-A input and output ports.
- Detachable audio cable
- Light show features
- 360-degree speaker
- More than one Bluetooth connectivity
EV
Here are some beneficial features that differentiate EV from JBL:
- Built-in shock-mount microphones
- EV QuickSmart Mobile application
- Tripod Speaker Stand
- Several input and output connectivity options (AUX, USB, etc.)
Sound Quality
JBL devices have heavier bass than EV devices which makes them more suitable for outdoor events—and this is the only feature that beats EV products. They produce a fairly natural and clear sound that does not compromise quality at high volumes.
EV devices have crisp and well-balanced sound production. However, they fall short on the low end.
Vocal sound production is also clear and precise which makes them a very good idea for singers. The only downside is that their bass is not as tight as the mid and high response.
Cost
JBL
JBL devices seem a little bit more expensive than EVs. Some of the price ranges of different products by JBL are listed below:
- Subwoofers: $500 – $1500
- Loudspeakers: $500 – $2000
- Amplifiers: $500 – $3000
- Headphones: $ 100 – $250
EV
Considering the quality and kind of devices produced by EV, their products are not expensive. Some of the price ranges for their devices are listed below:
- Subwoofers: $ 300 – $1500
- Loudspeakers: $300 – $1500
- Amplifiers: $500 – $2000
- Microphones: $100 – $500
Space Consideration
Most JBL Bluetooth devices are compact and portable and can be carried around without you even feeling their weight.
Even though EVs do not have portable speakers, this doesn’t mean their speakers take up a lot of space. Most of their devices come with a speaker stand or mount, allowing users to place them anywhere conveniently.
Remote Control
JBL and EV both have a remote control that works perfectly for each of their devices. The JBL remote control has a maximum range of 32 feet and can work perfectly with more than one device, while the IRIS-NET RCM remote control by EV also works for numerous devices at a range of 15 meters.
Ease Of Use
JBL devices are easier to use than EV devices because they are portable and you can clearly see the buttons on them.
EV devices have control buttons located at the back of their speakers and can be quite difficult to reach. Although they both have a downloadable mobile application on both Google Play Store and the Apple Store, which makes controlling them quite straightforward.
Power Range
Electro-voice loudspeakers consume more power than JBL devices because EVs have an average power range of 500 watts to 3000 watts while JBL devices have an average of 500 watts to 2000 watts.
JBL’s compact Bluetooth speakers produce power of about 60 watts (and up to 40 watts when on battery), while their loudspeakers produce power of about 800 watts. EV loudspeakers, on the other hand, produce an average power output of 1000 watts.
JBL produces portable Bluetooth speakers which have a battery life of up to 20 hours, while EVs do not have any portable speakers.
Frequency Response
JBL devices have a wider range of frequency responses than Electro-voice devices. On average, JBL products have a frequency response that ranges from 38 Hz to 22 kHz while Electro-voice devices have a frequency response of 50 Hz to 20 kHz.
JBL vs EV: Which is Better?
JBL is a good choice for an outdoor experience while EV is better indoors due to its lack of bass.
You should also consider your budget if you want to go for any of these brands. JBL devices are on the high side and are quite more expensive than EVs which is an advantage for EV products.
When other factors such as batteries, ease of use, and features are considered, they are both equally nice options.
Conclusion
JBL and EV are both at the top of the range when it comes to professional portable sound systems. Deciding on which system is best for you depends on a few factors and the event you want to use it for. JBL devices are good for outdoor events while EVs are good for indoor events. It is worth noting that both brands are affordable.