The Bowers & Wilkins brand is known to lovers of great acoustics. Few can combine noble design and technological stuffing in their speakers and headphones with the same elegance as this small British company. Also, it would not be superfluous to recall that it is Bowers & Wilkins that is equipped with the sounds of the appearance of top-end cars from Maserati, BMW and McLaren.
In 2021, the first in-ear headphones from Bowers & Wilkins appeared on the market, which immediately gained honorable and flattering reviews from eminent Western reviewers and audiophiles. Indeed, the in-ear Pi5 and Pi7 have been hailed as arguably the best-sounding TWS headphones in the same segment.
To the point:
▪️ An overview of two models of Bowers & Wilkins PI5 and PI7 headphones. Premium in awesome colors
▪️ I love the sound. Review of the new PI5 earplugs from the legendary Bowers & Wilkins with pronounced relaxation
And now, outside the window of 2023, I have in my hands updated versions that have already become iconic, models that are now equipped with Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Pi7 S2.
You can buy new items at a price of 35,990 and 49,990 rubles, but what can the manufacturer offer me, as a music lover, for this money?
At first glance and to the touch, the headphones have not changed at all, but as soon as you start using them …
However, about everything in order. And first I will tell you what is new in these listeners.
What to call Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Pi7 S2 from the first generation
In new models extended battery life and connection range by bluetooth. If the original Pi7 could work for 20 hours, then the updated version has been running for 21 hours, a few recharges in the case. The Pi5 S2 now has 5 hours of battery life compared to the original model’s 4.5 hours of battery life.
The company is increasing capacity with updating the filling, but not with the software. In a new generation of engineers installed new batteries, as well as a risky antenna design.
Case covers have also been upgraded. Now they have built-in antennas to increase the range. So now the Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Pi7 S2 have a Bluetooth detection range of up to 25 meters.
Another change is new companion appwhich has a nice design, but from which a collection of background noises and a built-in digital equalizer extend.
The new companion app has become more concise and pleasant.
In general, I did not feel any sadness about this, because the headphones play excellently right out of the box, and you don’t need to eavesdrop on them.
Now let’s take a closer look at the new items.
Design and ergonomics
Headphones are produced in consumer-sized cardboard boxes.
Getting to know the headphones begins with the charging case, and this Bowers & Wilkins element has not changed much.
The material is a matte plastic that does not collect fingerprints, a USB-C connector for charging in part, a charging / pairing indicator light and a flip-down headphone cover that allows you to get it yourself.
The kit includes two pairs of silicone tips and a cable in a colored case.
The case of the older model Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 also has a large button, the introduction of which follows below. There are no such buttons on the Pi5 S2 case.
If for Pi5 S2 this element is made in the color of the body, then for Pi7 S2 the lid is stylized as metal, the effect emphasizing the status of the accessory with the combination “black case – silver cover“.
Truly British, laconic design.
Both models are IP54 waterproof and dustproof, so you can use the headphones in the rain or at the gym. Swimming in the pool or other bodies of water is not allowed.
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 also comes with an audio cable that allows you to connect the case to an audio source and relay music to your headphones. With the help of a button on the case, you can connect one pair of two headphones via Bluetooth to the case and listen to music together.
The Pi5 S2 has a parameter such as “sharing” No.
The lid opens with moderate effort, does not play and does not dangle.
Opening the lid, you can find another part between the headphone seats. This button is responsible for activating the connection of the accessory to the smartphone. The occurrence of fires.
Self respect design. The matte body and metal elements become in English concise and noble.
There are aluminum inserts in the finish of the case.
Both models have touch controls: by touching the right or left speaker, you can rewind tracks, call the voice assistant, activate noise reduction and pause the track.
The weight of each earbud Pi5 S2 and Pi7 S2 is 8g. There is no location in the form between the two templates, they sit perfectly in the ears with the right selection of silicone tips.
Specifications and features
The shape of the earbuds allows you to comfortably open them in your ears. Listening to music for several hours is quite comfortable.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 has two emitters, each with its own amplifier, DSP detected. Low frequencies are transmitted by a 9.2 mm speaker, and the upper frequencies are transmitted by a reinforcing tweeter. The stuffing is a must and gives out the right sound, something I just can’t wait to remember.
For listening during a call, it was comfortable, everyone in the headphones has three microphones with cVc2 technology, which is also responsible for activating noise reduction.
There are several modes in this noise reduction: in normal ambient noise, frequency modes, and in auto mode, an intelligent system is turned on, which adjusts to the characteristics of the acoustic environment at the moment. Also Pi7 S2 has working modewhen the microphones pick up ambient sounds and mix them into the music, the owner hears what is happening around him at the moment.
The headphones received Hi-Res Audio thanks to the Qualcomm aptX codec (Adaptive, HD, Low Latency), there is support for AAC and SBC. You can listen to uncompressed audio in Apple Music.
The indicator light shows the charging status of the earbuds in the case
In the younger model Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2, there are no reinforcing tweeters inside, instead of them 9.2 mm drivers are installed. The sound resolution is less – 16 bits, versus 24 bits for the Pi7 S2.
Noise cancellation and the shape of the impact are activated, the same as the Pi7 S2, but there are fewer microphones in each earphone: two in each versus three in older models.
Supported codecs are aptX, AAC and SBC.
Environmental Specifications:
Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
▪️ Emitter – 9.2 mm dense + reinforcing
▪️ Frequency range – 10 Hz – 20 kHz
▪️ Harmonic factor – less than 0.3%
▪️ Technology – active use of noise ANC, Bluetooth 5.0
▪️ Codecs – AptX HD/Adaptive/LL/Classic, AAC, SBC
▪️ Microphones – 6
________________________________________________________
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
▪️ Emitter – 9.2 mm density
▪️ Frequency range – 10 Hz – 20 kHz
▪️ Harmonic factor – less than 0.3%
▪️ Technology – active use of noise ANC, Bluetooth 5.0
▪️ Codecs – aptX HD, AAC, SBC
▪️ Microphones – 4
The price difference between materials is over 10,000 rubles. Cost of Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Pi7 S2.
Like the new Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Pi7 S2
Neat design, nothing more. Well, are they beautiful?
At first I listened to the younger Pi5 S2 model and caught myself thinking that listening to them is very similar to second-generation apple firmware that discovered the absence of armature drivers. But still, thanks to the thoughtful design of the case, the sound feels very rich.
I can say with confidence that Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 is perfect for lovers of dance, instrumental, electronic music. All sounds, all shades, echoes and reverbs will be perfectly audible, so you will reacquaint yourself with your favorite tracks of the same Bruno Mars, Skrillex or the same master Paul Van Dyke.
These little things make SUCH sound!
And then I put on a Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2, and literally got stuck for an hour, just listening to my library on my iPhone with my eyes closed and a blissful walk on my face.
These headphones literally pump, you allow such a fat sound without any distortion and impurities that it seems that I have full-size Hi-Fi class headphones connected to an amplifier on my head. The soundscape is voluminous and detailed as much as it is generally possible with small earplugs.
I want to note the work of the noise reduction. Typically, active noise cancellation programmatically dampens certain frequencies at which we hear ambient noise, which also negatively affects the sound quality of music in headphones.
Bowers & Wilkins engineers were able to set the noise canceling on the Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Pi7 S2 so that I couldn’t detect sound detection while it was running. And this is the most inaudible noise reduction in headphones in my memory.
I’ve listened to heavy rock, instrumental jazz, hip hop classics, pop punk and in every genre of sound that the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 produces, noise canceling on or off, it’s a mesmerizing experience.
It really pulls on the standard for the sound of 2023.
A lot of impressions. And everyone is nice
Both models will pleasantly surprise even the most demanding music lover.
The updated Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Pi7 S2 in-ear headphones are worthy successors to the first generation models. The sounds did not change because the Engineers and in the first models it was close to ideal. It seems to me that the company managed to squeeze absolutely all the possibilities out of such a form factor, but it’s better to make it impossible.
It can be seen that 50 years of experience in creating premium acoustics was not in vain. Bowers & Wilkins, in a truly English manner, simply pushed the representatives of all the leaders apart and immediately stood in the front row of TWS headphones, with all their appearance and proving that they are the best. No kidding.
To give up emotions on the side, I can only sincerely advise you, if possible, both models with their favorite tracks in the media library, in order to make an independent choice in using Pi5 S2 for 35,990 rubles, or Pi7 S2 for 49,990 rubles.
However, I assure you: whatever choice you make, the headphones will make you fall in love with listening to music again. Proven by personal experience.
Advertising. ReStor LLC
TIN: 7709678550
Eris: 4CQwVszH9pSaqBLsumo
📸 All photos in the article:
Source: Iphones RU
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
