Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Review In Detail

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 IP54

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) IPX4

IP ratings is the level of protection offered by a casing, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

Scoring IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating for solids indicates 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 Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a rating of IP54 meaning that ingress of dust is not totally prevented but dust does not enter in harmful quantities to interfere with the correct operation or impair safety and that of liquids is that, they both have the same rating against liquids

Weight

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 50g

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 8.56g

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We take in account a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7, at 50g are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference of 41.44g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is an important distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires linking the 2 earbuds together.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless because it has no cables connecting the pair of earbuds together.

Sweat Resistance

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are resistant to sweat

Has Stereo Speakers

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have stereo speakers

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Active noise cancellation makes use of more advanced technology to actively cancel noise. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and after generates a mirror signal to counter it. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero which results in a reduced level of noise.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 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 overcome background sounds.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have Active Noise Cancellation making both earbuds ideal for flights and morning travels. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the mode that suits your travel or that suites your relaxation time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) sit tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that reduces background sounds and also prevents the earbuds music from leaking out .

Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have passive noise reduction this means that both reduce ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 9.2mm

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 11mm

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, its size determines the loudness of the device.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 driver unit is 9.2mm in diameter, which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 1.8mm , a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.

However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not indicate that they produce better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 10Hz

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 10Hz

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal on its way through.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, this means that both devices make sound with equal bass

Highest Frequency

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 20,000Hz

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 20,000Hz

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device makes high recognizable frequencies and if it changes to the signal on its way through.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices can generate equal treble

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Battery Life

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 4.5hours

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 6hours

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge. A device's battery life is usually given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery life is less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 1.5 hours . Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less listening 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.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 18hours

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 30hours

The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case is said to have a full charge of 30 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before having to recharge the case itself.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's charging case has a battery life of 18 hours, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 12 hours

Charge Time

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 3hours

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 0.3hours

It requires 0.3 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 takes 3 hours to fully charge the battery, more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 2.7 hours

Has Wireless Charging

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply put down on a supported charging pad.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also support wireless charging, always look out for the charging standard of a device.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights indicate the charging status of your earbuds and charging case.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.

Has Usb Type-C

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✗

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.

Bluetooth Version

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 v5

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) v5

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data movement between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 has a Bluetooth version of 5, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 10meters

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 10meters

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Has Aac

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 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 Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work fine with your iPad. If you are planning on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.

Has Aptx Adaptive

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✗

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps).

Has Aptx Hd

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✗

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support APTX HD, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It supports high-quality 24-bit audio (at a bit rate of 576kbps).

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Number Of Microphones

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 6only

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 6only

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones.

While the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 microphones are 6, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . More microphones record better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out background sounds.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to filter out noise from the desired sound.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too use a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy areas.

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✗

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound so that they can still be heard even when wearing them

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience.

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

If misplaced in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support the find earbuds feature.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have the find earbuds feature. You can use the earbuds app on your phone to play an alarm from your earbuds to help you find them.

Supports Fast Charging

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge a device.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, only that the battery fills up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in thirty minutes.

Multipoint Count

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 2only

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.

Has A Mute Function

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have this function. The mute function means that you can turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a control panel on them.

Warranty Period

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 1Years

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a warranty period of 1 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals.

Has Voice Prompts

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also support voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you if the battery is low, and it's time to recharge them.

Travel Bag Is Included

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special pouch. Carrying earphones openly, or putting them in your pockets without a cover can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.

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Category	Features	Bowers & Wilkins PI7	Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
DESIGN	ingress protection (ip) rating	IP54	IPX4
	weight	50g	8.56g
	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	9.2mm	11mm
	lowest frequency	10Hz	10Hz
	highest frequency	20,000Hz	20,000Hz
POWER	battery life	4.5hours	6hours
	battery life of charging case	18hours	30hours
	charge time	3hours	0.3hours
	has wireless charging	✓	✓
	has a battery level indicator	✓	✓
CONNECTIVITY	has usb type-c	✓	✗
	bluetooth version	v5	v5
	maximum bluetooth range	10meters	10meters
	has aac	✓	✓
	has aptx adaptive	✓	✗
	has aptx hd	✓	✗
MICROPHONE	number of microphones	6only	6only
MICROPHONE	has a noise-canceling microphone	✓	✓
EXTRAS	has ambient sound mode	✓	✗
	has in/on-ear detection	✓	✓
	has find earbuds feature	✓	✓
	supports fast charging	✓	✓
	multipoint count	✗	2only
	has a mute function	✓	✓
	control panel placed on a device	✓	✓
	warranty period	✗	1Years
	has voice prompts	✓	✓
	travel bag is included	✓	✓
		See price on Amazon	See price on Amazon

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Review

Reasons why you might like the Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

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Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Review In Summary

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Review In Detail

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Weight

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

Lowest Frequency

Highest Frequency

Power

Battery Life

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Charge Time

Has Wireless Charging

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

Bluetooth Version

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Has Aac

Has Aptx Adaptive

Has Aptx Hd

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Supports Fast Charging

Multipoint Count

Has A Mute Function

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Warranty Period

Has Voice Prompts

Travel Bag Is Included