IP ratings refer to the level of protection offered by an enclosure, against solids and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating is read as, the first value of X denotes 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. 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
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We consider a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are easier to carry.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7, at 50g
are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference of 41.44g
For a device to be true wireless it should have no cables linking 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 linking the pair of earbuds together. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires connecting the two earbuds .
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have sweat resistance
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, what this means is that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7 and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation makes use of advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and after generates a mirror signal to counter it. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (noise) then producing -1 (inverted noise) giving 0 resulting in a reduced level of noise.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have ANC enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue as you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to overcome background sounds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have ANC making either of the devices ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 work with different noise cancellation settings, pick the setting that suits your commute or that suites your relaxation time.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) stay tightly in place, this creates a sound covering that reduces your environment noise while preventing the device music from leaking out .
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that both reduce ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, the unit size dictates 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
, 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 yeah, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better quality sound. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device generates low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal on its way through.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, this implies that
both devices can make sound with equal bass
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio device produces high audible frequencies and if it makes any adjustments 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
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 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 device, 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. This is given by the manufacturer, and 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 multiple 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
It takes 0.3 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery. It is recommended 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
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you just put down on a compatible charging pad. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also support wireless charging, always look out for the charging standard of the earbuds.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. Its lights display the charging status of your earbuds and case. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, 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. 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)
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 provides better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work fine with your iPhone. 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. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 microphones are 6,
equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
. More microphones result in better sound quality and help the earbuds to filter out background sounds.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to reduce background sounds from the desired sound. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too use a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears saving battery life. When lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a find earbuds feature.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have the find earbuds feature. You can use the earbuds app on your smartphone to play a sound from your device to find them. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging.
Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to charge the earbuds. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster.
Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in thirty minutes. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also support the mute function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk.
With the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the device. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a control panel on them. 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.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support voice prompts meaning the earbuds notifies you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them inside your bag without a cover can easily damage them. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.
