A breakdown of the review per specifications

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 IP54

JBL Live Free 2 IPX5

IP ratings is the rating of protection given by a casing, against solids and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value means protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

Scoring IP54, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7's rating for solids indicates 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 can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes.

In comparison to the Bowers & Wilkins PI7, JBL Live Free 2 have a rating of IPX5 meaning that no data available to specify a protection rating and that of liquids is that, JBL Live Free 2 has a higher liquid rating than Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Weight

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 50g

JBL Live Free 2 9.8g

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a weight of 50g . We take in account a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are easier to transport.

JBL Live Free 2, at 9.8g are lighter than the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 with a difference -40.2g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables linking any part of the device together, Bowers & Wilkins PI7 are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is a major distinction since wireless earbuds have cables linking the two earbuds .

JBL Live Free 2 also is true wireless since it doesn't have cables linking the two earbuds together.

Sweat Resistance

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 have sweat resistance

Has Stereo Speakers

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

Both JBL Live Free 2 and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have stereo speakers

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
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Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

ANC utilises advanced technology to reduce ambient sounds. How it works, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and after generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) and producing -1 (counter sound by the device) to make 0 thus "diluting" the noise.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue since you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background sounds.

JBL Live Free 2 too have Active Noise Cancellation making both devices ideal for flights and morning commutes. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 and JBL Live Free 2 operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the noise cancellation type that suits your travel or that suites your chill time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 stay tightly in place, creating a sound covering that reduces your environment noise and also prevents the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same.

Both JBL Live Free 2, and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have passive noise reduction which means that they reduce ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 9.2mm

JBL Live Free 2 11mm

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 driver unit is 9.2mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is the component that makes sound in the device, the unit size determines the sound produced by the earbuds.

JBL Live Free 2 driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making them have a larger driver unit than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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

JBL Live Free 2 20Hz

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.

JBL Live Free 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that Bowers & Wilkins PI7 can make sound with a juicier bass than the JBL Live Free 2

Highest Frequency

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 20000Hz

JBL Live Free 2 20000Hz

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well an audio component makes high human frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it.

JBL Live Free 2's highest frequency is at 20000Hz, this implies that both devices generate equal treble

Sound Pressure Level

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

JBL Live Free 2 102dB/mW

SPL, is the pressure level of sound, in decibels, dB, JBL Live Free 2's measurement is 102dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.

A Review By Comparison Of The Sony Wf 1000Xm3 Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7

Battery Life

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 4.5hours

JBL Live Free 2 7hours

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery life is 4.5 hours, a device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chanrgings.

JBL Live Free 2's battery life is more than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 2.5 hours . Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 18hours

JBL Live Free 2 28hours

This is given by the manufacturer, and the Bowers & Wilkins PI7's case is said to have a charge of 18 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before recharging the case itself.

JBL Live Free 2's charging case has a battery life of 28 hours, more than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 10 hours

Charge Time

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 3hours

JBL Live Free 2 ✗

It requires 3 hours to fully charge the Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery. It is highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for extended periods.

Has Wireless Charging

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✗

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

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights display the charging state of your earbuds and charging case.

JBL Live Free 2 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you determine the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
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Has Usb Type-C

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

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

JBL Live Free 2 too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current laptops, phones, and tablets.

Bluetooth Version

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 v5

JBL Live Free 2 v5.2

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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.

JBL Live Free 2 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, newer than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 10meters

JBL Live Free 2 10meters

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.

JBL Live Free 2 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Has Aac

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✗

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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 the same bit rate.

Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 will work fine with your MacBook. If you are planning 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.

Has Aptx Adaptive

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✗

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 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✗

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).

A Review By Comparison Of The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7

Number Of Microphones

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 6only

JBL Live Free 2 6only

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have 6 microphones.

JBL Live Free 2 microphones are 6, equal to that of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 . More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out noise.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out background sounds from the earbuds' sound.

The JBL Live Free 2 too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is useful in noisy areas.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7
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Has Ambient Sound Mode

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound to still be heard even when wearing them

The JBL Live Free 2 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.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✗

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

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✗

If misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a find earbuds feature.

Supports Fast Charging

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to fully charge the earbuds.

JBL Live Free 2 support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✗

JBL Live Free 2 2only

JBL Live Free 2 support multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.

Has A Mute Function

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.

The JBL Live Free 2 too have the mute function. It means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party's voice.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.

JBL Live Free 2 too have a control panel on them.

Has Voice Prompts

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.

The JBL Live Free 2 also have voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you when the battery is low, and you need to recharge them.

Travel Bag Is Included

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 ✓

JBL Live Free 2 ✓

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 come with a special pouch. Carrying earphones openly, or putting them inside your bag without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.

JBL Live Free 2 too have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.

A Review By Comparison Of The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7

A Review By Comparison of the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Vs. Jbl Live Free 2

Reasons why you might like the Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Reasons why you might like the JBL Live Free 2

A breakdown of the review per specifications

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

Sound Pressure Level

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

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