Overall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Beoplay EX | Bowers & Wilkins PI7 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IP57 | IP54 |
weight | 12g | 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 | 9.2mm | 9.2mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 10Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
POWER | battery life | 8hours | 4.5hours |
battery life of charging case | 20hours | 18hours | |
charge time | 1.5hours | 3hours | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
has aptx adaptive | ✓ | ✓ | |
has aptx hd | ✗ | ✓ | |
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 | 3Years | ✗ | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
Ingress protection ratings refer to the level of protection offered by an enclosure, against dust and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to protection against liquids (water).
Having a value of IP57, the Beoplay EX's rating is read as, the first number of 5 denotes 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 of liquids that they are protected against temporary immersion in water under set conditions, say 1 metre for 30 minutes. Compared to the Beoplay EX, Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a rating of IP54 meaning that
they both have the same rating against dust
and that of liquids is that,
Beoplay EX has a higher liquid rating than Bowers & Wilkins PI7
The Beoplay EX have a weight of 12g . We take in account a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7, at 50g are heavier than the Beoplay EX with a difference of 38g True wireless devices have no wires linking any part of the device together, Beoplay EX are true wireless for this matter since they don't have wires. This is a key distinction as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the pair of earbuds . Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless since it has no cables connecting the two earbuds . Beoplay EX have sweat resistance Beoplay EX have stereo speakers, what this means is that Beoplay EX's speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation utilises more advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds.
ANC works when, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and producing -1 (counter sound by the device) to make 0 therefore "diluting" the noise.
The Beoplay EX have Active Noise Cancellation 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.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have ANC which makes both devices ideal for flights and rush hour travels. The Beoplay EX and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the setting that suits your travel or that enhances your relaxation time. The Beoplay EX stay well in place, this creates a sound seal that tones down your environment noise well as preventing the device sound from leaking out at the same.
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that both limit ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out. Beoplay EX driver unit is 9.2mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the device, its size corellates with the loudness of the earbuds.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 driver unit is 9.2mm in diameter,
making both Bowers & Wilkins PI7, and Beoplay EX similar in how loud their sound gets
, many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yes, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound. The Beoplay EX's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component 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 can produce a juicier bass than the Beoplay EX Beoplay EX's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device makes high human frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal while at it. Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this implies that both devices generate equal treble The Beoplay EX's battery life is 8 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge. A device's battery life is commonly 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 Beoplay EX by 3.5 hours . Every time you recharge your earbuds, 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. This is given by the vendor, and the Beoplay EX's case has a charge of 20 hours.
A charging case with a longer battery life 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 Beoplay EX by 2 hours It takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the Beoplay EX'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 Beoplay EX by 1.5 hours The Beoplay EX, the device supports wireless charging. To charge the earbuds, you simply place down on a compatible charging pad. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also support wireless charging, always look out for the charging standard of the earbuds.
Beoplay EX 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 charging case. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.
Beoplay EX use USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current electronics.
Beoplay EX have Bluetooth version of 5.2, 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 Beoplay EX . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The Beoplay EX have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Beoplay EX Beoplay EX 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 a similar bit rate.
Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Beoplay EX will work fine with your iPhone. 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. Beoplay EX support APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps). Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support APTX Adaptive as well which implies that both can adjust the bit rate for different scenarios, such as listening to HD audio from other devices.
Beoplay EX have 6 microphones. While the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 microphones are 6, equal to that of the Beoplay EX . More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background sounds. The Beoplay EX have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce noise from the earbuds' sound.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too use a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is useful in noisy environments. The Beoplay EX support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises so that they can still be heard even while wearing the earbuds The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a run but would still want to hear traffic.
Beoplay EX support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to fully charge a device. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support fast charging.
This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in 30 minutes. The Beoplay EX support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them.
For example, you can switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect. The Beoplay EX have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have this function.
It means that you can turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk. With the Beoplay EX, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a control panel on them.
Beoplay EX have a warranty period of 3 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use following instruction manuals. Beoplay EX have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds. The Beoplay EX come with their own special pouch. Carrying earphones without a case, or placing them inside your bag without a cover can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.