Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Which noise-cancelling wireless earbuds should you buy?
Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Which noise-cancelling wireless earbuds should you lot purchase?
This Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 face-off breaks down the veteran audio brand'southward two newest wireless earbuds, helping you decide which pair to buy based on overall performance and value.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 serves equally the company's flagship model and the in-ear equivalent to 1 of the marketplace's best noise-cancelling headphones, the PX7. Loftier-quality sound combined with adaptive active dissonance counterfoil (ANC) and a striking blueprint make this pair of buds 1 of the finest that money can purchase. The PI7 also has a special audio play tricks that you won't find on any other wireless earbuds, which yous'll learn more than about further in our analysis.
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Launched simultaneously, the Bowers & Wilkins PI5 boasts a noticeably dissimilar spec canvas. However, information technology retains similar features and the aforementioned appearance as its costly sibling, and at a lower cost point. Battery life is longer, while noise cancellation and sound are height notch. There are many reasons why we consider information technology 1 of the best noise-cancelling earbuds.
These are two premium dissonance-cancellers that offering unlike, satisfying listening experiences. Which is the meliorate splurge? Go on reading our full Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. PI7 breakdown to find out.
Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Specs compared
| Bowers & Wilkins PI5 | Bowers & Wilkins PI7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $399 |
| Wireless Charging Example | Yes, included | Yeah, included |
| Flake | Qualcomm QCC5126 | Qualcomm QCC5126 |
| Battery Life (Rated) | 4.5 hours (ANC on), 24.5 hours (with charging case) | iv hours (ANC on), 20 hours (with charging case) |
| Water Resistance | IP54 | IP54 |
| Case Size | two.3 x 1.one x two.2 inches | 2.3 x i.1 x 2.2 inches |
| Case Weight | 1.6 ounces | two.1 ounces |
| Special features | Active noise cancellation, 2-level ambience listening fashion, aptX Adaptive support, Soundscapes | Adaptive active noise counterfoil, adjustable ambient listening fashion, aptX Adaptive support, Soundscapes, wireless adapter functionality |
Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Price
Both sets of buds are expensive, but the more than reasonably attainable of the ii is the PI5 at $249: the same as the AirPods Pro. Unless you're looking for buds that support all of the latest codecs and provide a unique secondary way of hearing music wirelessly, you lot'll find this version to be just as gratifying as its pricier counterpart. Not to mention you'll salvage $150 in the process.
At $399, the PI7 is one of the well-nigh expensive true wireless options out there. Of course, the loftier MSRP grants users more than perks such as total aptX Bluetooth support and retransmission via charging case. Add slightly meliorate audio and noise cancellation into the equation and it's clear why these buds don't come up cheap.
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Winner: Bowers & Wilkins PI5
Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Design
Both the PI7 and PI5 are stunners, with broadly the aforementioned striking appearance and superior build quality. The protruding cylinder is a distinctive detail that also acts every bit a affect panel. An IP54 rating protects these two products from clay and moisture damage (due east.g., light splashes, rain, sweat). B&W'due south colour options are stylish, but we honey the PI7's ii-tone await a fiddling more.
The charging cases look identical, sans the button on the front of the PI7 example, which the company says will take on a future function via firmware update. They each friction match the artful sleekness of the earbuds and come in the same size, granted the PI7'southward case is slightly heavier, just not likewise heavy to carry on the become. The soft matte finish is a dainty bear on, plus the buds are displayed handsomely when docked in their corresponding charging slots. A Bluetooth button is located on the inside as well for manually pairing.
Every bit for functionality, the PI7 instance can also double as a wireless adapter to stream music in aptX when connected to an analog audio output. The PI5 instance doesn't.
Condolement and fit are similar too. Neither model will weigh down your ears, though the duration in which yous cull to wear the PI7 or PI5 might be short based on your hurting threshold. The elongated sound port does use unwanted pressure to the front end of the ear. At to the lowest degree the port nestles well on the inner ear for proper stabilization, while the silicone tips create a tight seal to keep the buds steady.
Winner : Tie
Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Controls
B&W programmed on-ear detection, voice assistance, and a wide array of touch on gestures into their newest creations, but the PI7 has the more reliable controls. Operating playback and cycling through listening modes is elementary, thanks to accurate input demonstrated past the PI7'south impact sensors. The 6 mics also brand using Google Assistant and Siri a pleasure, picking up every syllable and voice control, while both AI bots respond to inquiries in quick way.
The PI5 performs similarly in most areas, specifically voice assistance, which is very impressive considering it's working with two less mics. Unfortunately, the touch sensors misinterpret multi-tap gestures very frequently. On-ear detection works half the time as well.
Winner: Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Sound quality
The PI7 has fix a new bar for sound on wireless earbuds. B&West stacked these buds with some serious specs, including 24-bit sound, diverse aptX codecs (Standard, LL, HD & Adaptive), and Dual Hybrid Bulldoze units with individual amplifiers for each driver. Information technology doesn't matter if you lot are listening to music from your personal library or hi-quality streaming services like Tidal, the results are sonically serene. Bass is strong, mids and highs are detailed, and it'due south pretty absurd to exist able to single out imperfections on circuitous recordings that yous wouldn't hear on other wireless earbuds.
Simply it's the charging case that makes the PI7 a ane-of-a-kind product, assuasive you to stream music in aptX when connected to a compatible analog audio output. That's right. Yous can connect the case to anything from an iPod Classic to an airplane jack and nonetheless enjoy the same wireless audio. No loss in fidelity.
B&W decided to equip the PI5 with a 9.2mm driver that produces spacious audio and well-balanced range. Lows, mids, and highs sound on point, though the PI7'due south midrange is more precise. We practise wish that B&W would have given the PI5 full aptX support or audio retransmission.
Winner : Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Active noise counterfoil
The PI7 is powered by adaptive ANC and uses six internal mics to automatically reduce the touch on of low-frequency noises, something it does incredibly well. Go along in mind that in that location is an Auto Mode setting that when enabled adapts to the audio-visual surround, but it makes the technology less constructive and noises more transparent. Y'all'll want to keep information technology turned off and stay in transmission ANC mode.
We liked that the PI7 put a muzzle on indoor fracas such as loud family members, household appliances, and the bustling noise from a centralized AC unit of measurement. Using the feature outside is just as rewarding, especially when walking in drafty conditions. Loftier-frequency noises like baby cries, motorcar horns or whistles can still creep onto the soundscape, but the PI7 minimizes them enough to enjoy music peacefully.
The PI5 won't match that aforementioned functioning, simply it'due south no slouch in the dissonance neutralization department either. It employs standard ANC and uses four mics to effectively silence the majority of unwanted noises. We found the feature useful at home, in grocery stores, and when riding in an Uber. Wind resistance is only as good equally on the PI7. Just don't expect the buds to put a kibosh on construction tools or sirens.
Ambient Pass-Through is B&Due west's version of ambience listening and offers a different experience on each model. The PI7 comes with 16 levels of transparency that tin can be adjusted via slider, while the PI5 has two settings (Less and More) that are self-explanatory. Yes, sounds are much more distinguishable on the PI7 when adjusted to college levels, just the PI5 also pipes in a good corporeality of external sound to gain a meliorate sensation of surroundings.
Another great thing about these 2 sets of buds is that ANC and Ambient Pass-Through can blend together when enabled simultaneously, something the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds likewise does to make ambient noises audio more than distinguishable and less harsh.
Winner: Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Special features and apps
Existence the more expensive model, it'southward platonic that the PI7 has more than features, including adaptive noise counterfoil, audio retransmission, 2 more dedicated amps, 24-bit audio resolution, and a dedicated external DSP.
The B&Westward app is where you'll get to admission most functionality. It's clean, user friendly, and offers much of the same for both models, though the PI7 is given two extras: Motorcar Mode and transparency adjustment. You lot yet gain admission to toggle controls for both Noise Cancellation and Ambience Pass-Through, as well every bit on-ear detection.
Soundscapes is the app's signature feature, and it works well for either set of buds. Half-dozen different profiles can exist selected, each ane masking the ambience dissonance around you with nature sounds for relaxation and stress relief. Information technology's nix new to the category, but this might be the best version out there, as every profile accurately reproduces effects true to their environment.
The features list is shorter than what you'll detect on rival apps like Jabra Audio+ and Sony Headphones Connect. Information technology would take been thoughtful if B&W added a voice prompt setting and Standby Timer to place the buds in slumber mode when inactive, which are two features that seem to be reserved for the over-ear PX7 headphones. An EQ and Observe My Buds setting would have been welcome additions too.
Connectivity is equally bully, and then yous'll be able to pair and re-pair to known devices instantly, no thing the platform. Where B&W dropped the brawl is range. For some odd reason, the PI7 and PI5 struggle to keep a connectedness further than 15 feet, causing terrible stuttering when taking one stride past this distance.
Winner : Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Call quality
Even with fewer mics, the PI5 is the better calling headset. You'll yet hear noises when speaking in rowdy settings. However, the PI5 brand voices somewhat clearer than the PI7. Book is also higher and current of air resistance is stronger, minimizing cutouts and interference in drafty environments. Feedback from clients and friends was mostly positive when using the PI5.
Nosotros plant the PI7 useful for taking business calls and video chats indoors, but that'due south about it. Whenever answering the phone outside, crackling and wind became issues. Volume was very depression too, which always makes information technology difficult to hear others on the opposite end. Neither are the all-time headphones with a mic for voice and video calls, but despite the cost difference, the PI5 is superior hither.
Winner : Bowers & Wilkins PI5
Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Battery life
The PI7 is rated super-low at simply 4 hours with ANC enabled, whereas the PI5 comes in a smidge higher at iv.5 hours — again with ANC. This is just as underwhelming as the AirPods Pro (4.5 hours) and non even half of what some other competitors manage, such as the Master & Dynamic MW08 (ten hours). Since information technology runs fewer features and provides 30 minutes extra listening time, this round goes to the PI5.
Their corresponding wireless charging cases support quick charging and are equally powerful, netting users ii hours on a fifteen-minute accuse.
Winner : Bowers & Wilkins PI5
Bowers & Wilkins PI5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PI7: Verdict
The PI7 is tough to overlook based on sound quality alone; it'due south truly second to none in the area. Support for all aptX codecs is pretty rare besides, and the multipurpose charging instance gives y'all another manner of enjoying music wirelessly and with minimal loss in allegiance. ANC is too solid, giving the AirPods Pro a run for its money. Bluetooth could be stronger, and playtimes are pretty bad, though at least you have the charging example and quick charging to relieve your low-battery feet.
| Bowers & Wilkins PI5 | Bowers & Wilkins PI7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost and value (5) | iv | three |
| Design (15) | 13 | 13 |
| Controls (10) | 6 | 7 |
| Audio quality (twenty) | eighteen | 20 |
| Active noise cancellation(20) | 17 | eighteen |
| Special features and apps (fifteen) | eight | 10 |
| Phone call quality (5) | iv | three |
| Battery life (ten) | half dozen | 5 |
| Total score (100) | 76 | 79 |
Just because the PI5 is a scaled down version of the PI7 doesn't make it any less valuable. Specific features are missing from the spec sheet, simply these buds are nonetheless capable of pumping out rich and detailed sound. ANC is only as effective. Also, the fact that you're getting higher battery life, along with meliorate call quality, gives the PI5 extra selling points.
Had information technology come with some of the PI7's exclusive audio and software perks, a different winner may have been crowned, but even at a significantly college price the PI7'south extras give it the edge.
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Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/face-off/bowers-and-wilkins-pi5-vs-bowers-and-wilkins-pi7
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