Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Review In Detail

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 IP54

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) IPX4

Ingress protection ratings refer to the rating of protection given by an enclosure, against dust and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value represents protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s rating is read as, the first number 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 Pro (2nd 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 Pro (2nd Gen) 10.6g

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a weight of 10.6g . We prefer a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7, at 50g weigh more than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by of 39.4g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they have no wires. This is a major difference since wireless earbuds have wires linking the 2 earbuds together.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires linking the 2 earbuds .

Sweat Resistance

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have sweat resistance

Has Stereo Speakers

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo 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
See price on Amazon

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

ANC uses advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds. How it works, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) and producing -1 (inverted noise) to make zero resulting in a reduced level of noise.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have ANC allowing 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.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have ANC making both devices ideal for flights and rush hour commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that suits your travel or that enhances your relaxation time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) stay tightly in place, creating an acoustic covering that reduces your environment sounds and also prevents the device voice audio from leaking out .

Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have passive noise reduction this means that they tone down ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 9.2mm

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 11mm

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the earbuds, the unit size dictates the loudness of the earbuds.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 driver unit is 9.2mm in diameter, which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 1.8mm , as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.

However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yes, 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 Pro (2nd Gen) 20Hz

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio component produces 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 implies that Bowers & Wilkins PI7 make sound with a juicier bass than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Highest Frequency

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 20,000Hz

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 20,000Hz

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device generates high audible frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal on its way through.

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

Raycon Fitness Earbuds Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Review

Battery Life

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 4.5hours

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 6hours

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 have to charge the device less often.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery life is less than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 18hours

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 24hours

The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s case is said to have a full charge of 24 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go many 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 Pro (2nd Gen) by 6 hours

Charge Time

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 3hours

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 1hours

It takes 1 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 Pro (2nd Gen) by 2 hours

Has Wireless Charging

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply place down on a supported charging pad.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also support wireless charging, take note of the charging standard of the earbuds.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery. Its lights show the charging status of your device and case.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
See price on Amazon

Has Usb Type-C

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✗

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

Bluetooth Version

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 v5

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) v5.3

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5.3, 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, older than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 10meters

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 10meters

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 Pro (2nd Gen)

Has Aac

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 a similar bit rate.

Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 Pro (2nd 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).

Jlab Audio Epic Air Sport Anc Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Review

Number Of Microphones

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 6only

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 6only

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have 6 microphones.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 microphones are 6, equal to that of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) . More microphones record better sound quality and help the device to filter out background sounds.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to filter out background sounds from the earbuds' sound.

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

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
See price on Amazon

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound to still be heard even when wearing them

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music while being aware of your surrounding, say you’re having a run but still want to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when 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 Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

When misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a find earbuds feature.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have the find earbuds feature. Use the device app on your phone to play a sound from your earbuds to locate them.

Supports Fast Charging

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. Usually, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the time it takes to charge a device.

Also the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, just 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 Pro (2nd Gen) 2only

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.

Has A Mute Function

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a mute function, they support the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support the mute function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

With the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), so you can 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.

Has Voice Prompts

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection.

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

Travel Bag Is Included

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them inside your pockets without a cover can easily damage them.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.

Jlab Audio Epic Air Sport Anc Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Review

Category	Features	Bowers & Wilkins PI7	Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
DESIGN	ingress protection (ip) rating	IP54	IPX4
	weight	50g	10.6g
	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	20Hz
	highest frequency	20,000Hz	20,000Hz
POWER	battery life	4.5hours	6hours
	battery life of charging case	18hours	24hours
	charge time	3hours	1hours
	has wireless charging	✓	✓
	has a battery level indicator	✓	✓
CONNECTIVITY	has usb type-c	✓	✗
	bluetooth version	v5	v5.3
	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	✓	✓
	has voice prompts	✓	✓
	travel bag is included	✓	✓
		See price on Amazon	See price on Amazon

Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Review

Reasons why you might like the Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)