Home Wireless Earbuds Beats Studio Buds Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7

A Review By Comparison of the Beats Studio Buds Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7

Last updated on May 18, 2023   8 min read
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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
VS
Beats Studio Buds

Beats Studio Buds

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Reasons why you might like the Beats Studio Buds

Overall Score 6.2 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 8 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 Bowers & Wilkins PI7 Beats Studio Buds
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating IP54 IPX4
weight 50g 5.1g
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 8.2mm
lowest frequency 10Hz 20Hz
highest frequency 20000Hz 20000Hz
sound pressure level 100.5dB/mW
POWER battery life 4.5hours 8hours
battery life of charging case 18hours 16hours
charge time 3hours 1.5hours
has wireless charging
has a battery level indicator
CONNECTIVITY has usb type-c
bluetooth version v5 v5.2
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
has voice prompts
travel bag is included
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A breakdown of the review per specifications

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 IP54
Beats Studio Buds IPX4

IP ratings is the rank of protection offered by a casing, against solids and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value refers to protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (sweat).

Having a value of IPX4, the Beats Studio Buds's rating is read as, the first value of X denotes 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.

In comparison to the Beats Studio Buds, 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
Beats Studio Buds 5.1g

The Beats Studio Buds have a weight of 5.1g . We consider a lower weight best because lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7, at 50g weigh more than the Beats Studio Buds with a difference of 44.9g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

For a device to be true wireless it must have no wires connecting any part of the device together, Beats Studio Buds are true wireless for this matter since they don't have cables. This is a key distinction since wireless earbuds have cables connecting the two earbuds together.

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

Sweat Resistance

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

Beats Studio Buds are resistant to sweat

Has Stereo Speakers

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

Beats Studio Buds have stereo speakers, what this means is that Beats Studio Buds'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

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

ANC utilises advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and inverts the soundwaves to counter it. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (noise) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero hence "diluting" the noise.

The Beats Studio Buds have ANC enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears since you don't have to crank up the device volume to outcompete background noise.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have ANC making either of the devices ideal for flights and morning commutes. The Beats Studio Buds and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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
Beats Studio Buds

Beats Studio Buds sit tightly in place, this creates a sound covering that reduces your environment noise and also prevents the device music from leaking out at the same.

Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7, and Beats Studio Buds have passive noise reduction this means that both limit ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 9.2mm
Beats Studio Buds 8.2mm

The Beats Studio Buds driver unit is 8.2mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the device, its size dictates the sound made by the earbuds.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 driver unit is 9.2mm in diameter, making them have a larger driver unit than that of Beats Studio Buds by 1mm , 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 it's true that, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 10Hz
Beats Studio Buds 20Hz

Beats Studio Buds's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio device produces low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal on its way through.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, this means that Bowers & Wilkins PI7 make sound with a juicier bass than the Beats Studio Buds

Highest Frequency

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 20000Hz
Beats Studio Buds 20000Hz

Beats Studio Buds's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well an audio component makes high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal while at it.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, this implies that both devices can generate equal treble

Sound Pressure Level

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds 100.5dB/mW

The sound pressure level, is the pressure level of sound, in decibels, dB, Beats Studio Buds's measurement is 100.5dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.

Power

Battery Life

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 4.5hours
Beats Studio Buds 8hours

The Beats Studio Buds's battery life is 8 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 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 Beats Studio Buds by 3.5 hours . Every time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not 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
Beats Studio Buds 16hours

The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and Beats Studio Buds's case is said to have a charge of 16 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, more than that of Beats Studio Buds by 2 hours

Charge Time

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 3hours
Beats Studio Buds 1.5hours

It takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the Beats Studio Buds's battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully 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 Beats Studio Buds by 1.5 hours

Has Wireless Charging

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7, the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply place down on a supported charging pad.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

The Beats Studio Buds have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. Its lights show the charging state of your earbuds and charging case.

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

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
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Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

The Beats Studio Buds have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current laptops, phones, and tablets.

Bluetooth Version

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 v5
Beats Studio Buds v5.2

Beats Studio Buds have Bluetooth version of 5.2, 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, older than that of Beats Studio Buds . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 10meters
Beats Studio Buds 10meters

Beats Studio Buds have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Beats Studio Buds

Has Aac

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

Beats Studio Buds support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since 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 Beats Studio Buds will work well with your iPad. 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.

Has Aptx Adaptive

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

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
Beats Studio Buds

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).

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 6only
Beats Studio Buds 6only

Beats Studio Buds have 6 microphones.

While the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 microphones are 6, equal to that of the Beats Studio Buds . More microphones record better sound quality and enable the device to filter out noise.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

The Beats Studio Buds have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce background sounds from the desired sound.

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

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
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Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

Beats Studio Buds support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound so that they can still be heard even when 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 jog but still want to be able to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears .

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

If lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, Beats Studio Buds have a find earbuds feature.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have the find earbuds feature. Use the earbuds app on your phone to play an alarm from your device to find them.

Supports Fast Charging

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

Beats Studio Buds support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the 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 fills up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds 2only

The Beats Studio Buds have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.

Has A Mute Function

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

The Beats Studio Buds have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.

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 still hear the other party talk.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

With the Beats Studio Buds, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device.

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

Has Voice Prompts

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

The Beats Studio Buds have voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, like if there is an issue 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 you need to recharge them.

Travel Bag Is Included

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Beats Studio Buds

The Beats Studio Buds come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them inside your pockets without a cover can easily damage them.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.

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