Ingress protection ratings refer to the rating of protection given by a casing, against solids and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value represents 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 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. 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
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We prefer a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7, at 50g
are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference of 41.44g
True wireless devices have no wires 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 distinction since wireless earbuds have wires connecting the 2 earbuds together. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless since it has no cables connecting the pair of earbuds together.
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 independent 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
ANC makes use of advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and after inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out.
Simply put, it's like taking +1 (noise) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) giving zero resulting 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 as you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background noise. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes both devices ideal for flights and rush hour travels.
The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the setting that you prefer for commute or that suites your relaxation time. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) sit well in place, this creates a sound covering that tones down your environment sounds well as preventing the earbuds voice audio from leaking out .
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this implies that they tone down ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) driver unit is 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 earbuds, the unit size determines 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
, as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not indicate that they deliver better quality sound.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio component produces 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 make sound with equal bass
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well an audio device produces 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 can produce 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 usually 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
. Every time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less listening time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.
The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case has 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 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 when they have been in storage for long periods. 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 device, you simply place down on a compatible charging pad.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also support wireless charging, always look out for the charging standard of a device. 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 display the charging state of your device and charging case.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you tell the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or having a low battery. 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.
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)
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 can provide better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.
Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work well with your iPhone. If you intend 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. 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 device to filter out background sounds. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce noise from the earbuds' sound. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a noise-canceling microphone.
Especially useful in noisy environments. The 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. 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.
When lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support the find earbuds feature. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have the find earbuds feature. Simply use the device app on your phone to play an alarm from your device to help you locate them.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of 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 is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in 30 minutes. 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 easily 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 option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also support the mute function.
The mute function means that you unilaterally 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 functions are supported on the earbuds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also 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 via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support voice prompts .i.e the device will notify you when the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special case. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them in your bag without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.
