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

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 IP54

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) IPX4

Ingress protection ratings refer to the level of protection given by an enclosure, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to protection 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 value of 4 means that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes.

In comparison 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

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We prefer a lower weight better because lighter devices are easier to move with.

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

Has No Wires Or Cables

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

For a device to be true wireless it should have no cables connecting any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they don't have cables. This is a key difference as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the pair of earbuds together.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless because it doesn't have cables connecting the two 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, what this means is that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have stereo speakers

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
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Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

ANC utilises advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and after inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (noise) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) to make 0 thus "diluting" the noise.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have ANC enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't have 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. Each operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that suits your commute or that suites your chill 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 tones down your environment sounds and also prevents the earbuds sound from leaking out .

Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have passive noise reduction which means that they reduce ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 9.2mm

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 11mm

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the device, its size corellates with the loudness of the device.

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

However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing 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 component produces low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to 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 shows how well a particular audio component makes high human frequencies and if it changes to the signal while at it.

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

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Battery Life

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 4.5hours

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 6hours

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.

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 playing time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, 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

This is given by the vendor, and the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case has a charge of 30 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before recharging 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 fully charge 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) ✓

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, 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 alerts you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your device and case.

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

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
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Has Usb Type-C

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✗

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

Bluetooth Version

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 v5

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) v5

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers 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 connecting 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. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.

Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work fine with your MacBook. If you are planning on using these with Android you need to pay even closer attention to codec support for if they only have AAC they won't provide the best audio quality possible, 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) ✗

The 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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones.

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 device to filter out background sounds.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

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

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is useful in noisy areas.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
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Has Ambient Sound Mode

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✗

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even while wearing the earbuds

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 they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too 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) ✓

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

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have the find earbuds feature. You can use the device app on your smartphone to play a sound from your earbuds to help you locate them.

Supports Fast Charging

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge the earbuds.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support fast charging. It's very 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 just 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 2only

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can 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 feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have the mute function. It means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party's voice.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

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

The 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 following instruction manuals.

Has Voice Prompts

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you when the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge the device.

Travel Bag Is Included

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with their own special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or placing them inside your bag without a cover may easily put them at risk of getting damaged.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a case 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)