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

IP ratings is the rank of protection given by a casing, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value refers to protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (water).

Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd 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 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 consider a lower weight better 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 should have no cables linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they don't have cables. This is an important difference since wireless earbuds have cables linking the two earbuds together.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless since it has no wires linking the pair of earbuds .

Sweat Resistance

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are resistant to sweat

Has Stereo Speakers

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers, what this means is that Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7 and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Active noise cancellation utilises advanced kind of tech to actively cancel noise. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) then adding -1 (inverted noise) to make zero therefore "diluting" the noise.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background noise.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have ANC making both devices ideal for flights and rush hour commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the mode that you prefer for 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) sit well in place, this creates a sound seal that tones down background sounds and also prevents the earbuds sound from leaking out .

Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have passive noise reduction which means that both tone down ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 9.2mm

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 11mm

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, its size dictates the sound made by 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 , 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 can generate louder sound, but this does not imply 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 measures if and how well a particular 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 Bowers & Wilkins PI7 produce a juicier bass than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Highest Frequency

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 20,000Hz

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

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well a particular audio component generates high human frequencies and if it changes to the signal on its way through.

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

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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 longer battery life, 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 . Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening 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 manufacturer, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s case has a full charge of 24 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 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 when they have been in storage for extended periods.

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) ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you just place down on a compatible 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. The battery indicator lights show the charging state of your earbuds and case.

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

Has Usb Type-C

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✗

The 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

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5.3, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows 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, 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 that is 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 Pro (2nd Gen) will work well 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) ✗

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).

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Number Of Microphones

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 6only

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 6only

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

While the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 microphones are 6, equal to that of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) . More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out noise.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to reduce noise from the earbuds' sound.

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

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even while wearing the earbuds

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 jog but still want to be able to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears .

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

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have the find earbuds feature. You can use the device app on your phone to play an alarm from your earbuds to locate them.

Supports Fast Charging

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge the earbuds.

Also the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 2only

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can switch calls from one device to another without 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 option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.

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

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 functions 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) ✓

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you when the battery is running low, and you need 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 earphones openly, or placing them inside your bag without a casing can 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 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

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

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

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

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Weight

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

Lowest Frequency

Highest Frequency

Power

Battery Life

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Charge Time

Has Wireless Charging

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

Bluetooth Version

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Has Aac

Has Aptx Adaptive

Has Aptx Hd

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Supports Fast Charging

Multipoint Count

Has A Mute Function

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Has Voice Prompts

Travel Bag Is Included