Home Wireless Earbuds Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7

A Review By Comparison of the Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7

Last updated on Apr 12, 2023   8 minute read
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Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

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

Overall Score 6.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 6 hours
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
VS
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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Reasons why you might like the Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Overall Score 6.4 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IP54
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 4.5 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode

A summary of the review by feature comparison

Category Features Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) Bowers & Wilkins PI7
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating ipX4 ip54
weight 8.56g 50g
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 11mm 9.2mm
lowest frequency 10hz 10hz
highest frequency 20,000hz 20,000hz
has a neodymium magnet
POWER battery life 6hours 4.5hours
battery life of charging case 30hours 18hours
charge time 0.3hours 3hours
battery power 20mah
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
audio latency 144ms
MICROPHONE number of microphones 6only 6only
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
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A breakdown of the review per specifications

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ipX4
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ip54

Ingress protection ratings refer to the rating 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 means protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (water).

Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and of liquids 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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 8.56g
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 50g

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We consider a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.

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

Has No Wires Or Cables

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

For a device to be true wireless it should have no wires linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they don't have wires. This is an important distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires linking the two earbuds .

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires linking the two earbuds together.

Sweat Resistance

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have sweat resistance

Has Stereo Speakers

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

ANC uses more advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and after inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue since you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background sounds.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have ANC making either of the earbuds ideal for flights and rush hour travels. 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.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) stay well in place, creating a sound seal that tones down your environment sounds well as preventing the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same.

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

Driver Unit Size

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 11mm
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 9.2mm

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

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 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.

Lowest Frequency

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 10hz
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 10hz

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component generates low recognizable frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, this implies that both devices produce equal bass

Highest Frequency

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 20,000hz
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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 produces high recognizable 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 generate equal treble

Has A Neodymium Magnet

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have neodymium magnets, if used in audio devices produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output while using less power. They can help generate music at quite a high SPL, using high magnetic flux.

Power

Battery Life

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 6hours
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 4.5hours

The 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 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 not 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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 30hours
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 18hours

The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case has a full charge of 30 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple 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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 0.3hours
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 3hours

It takes 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 when they have been unused for extended periods.

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

Battery Power

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 20mah
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery capacity is 20mAh, battery power, shows the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store.

Has Wireless Charging

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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

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

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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

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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
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Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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

Bluetooth Version

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) v5
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 v5

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows 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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 10meters
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 10meters

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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because 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 intend 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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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).

Audio Latency

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 144ms
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Latency refers to the time it takes for the audio signal to be transmitted to your earbuds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a latency of 144ms, a lower latency reduces audio lag and is particularly important when playing games or watching videos.

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 6only
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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

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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
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Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound so that they can still be heard even while wearing them

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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

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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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

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

Supports Fast Charging

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to charge the earbuds.

Also the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in thirty minutes.

Multipoint Count

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 2only
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a multipoint of 2 connections, this 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 having to manually disconnect and reconnect.

Has A Mute Function

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have the mute function. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a control panel on them.

Warranty Period

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 1years
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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

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

Travel Bag Is Included

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds openly, or placing them in your pockets without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.

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

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