Bowers & Wilkins PI7
See price on AmazonOverall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
JBL Reflect Aero TWS
See price on AmazonOverall Score 7 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Bowers & Wilkins PI7 | JBL Reflect Aero TWS |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IP54 | IP68 |
weight | 50g | 13g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
wingtips included | ✗ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✗ | ✓ | |
is dust proof and water-resistant | ✗ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 9.2mm | 6.8mm | |
lowest frequency | 10Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | ✗ | 99dB/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 | ✓ | ✓ | |
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 |
IP ratings is the rating of protection offered by a casing, against solids and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Having a value of IP54, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7's rating is read as, the first value 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 can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. Compared to the Bowers & Wilkins PI7, JBL Reflect Aero TWS have a rating of IP68 meaning that
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 has a lower dust resistance than JBL Reflect Aero TWS
and that of liquids is that,
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 has a lower liquid rating than JBL Reflect Aero TWS
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 carry.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS, at 13g weigh less than the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by -37g 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 case since they don't have wires. This is a major difference since wireless earbuds have cables linking the two earbuds . JBL Reflect Aero TWS also is true wireless since it has no wires linking the two earbuds . Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have stereo speakers, what this means is that Bowers & Wilkins PI7's speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience. Both JBL Reflect Aero TWS and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have stereo speakers ANC makes use of advanced technology to actively cancel noise.
ANC works when, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and after generates a mirror signal to counter it. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (inverted noise) giving zero which results in a reduced level of noise.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears since you don't need to crank up the device volume to overcome background sounds.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS too have ANC which makes either of the earbuds ideal for flights and morning travels. Each work with different noise cancellation settings, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for travel or that suites your relaxation time. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 sit tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that tones down background sounds and also prevents the earbuds voice audio from leaking out . Both JBL Reflect Aero TWS, and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have passive noise reduction this implies that they reduce ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a unit size of 9.2mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass. A driver unit is the component that makes sound in the earbuds, its size corellates with the sound produced by the device. JBL Reflect Aero TWS driver unit is 6.8mm in diameter, which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 2.4mm , as many tend to believe 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 deliver better quality sound. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio device produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through. JBL Reflect Aero TWS's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 make sound with a juicier bass than the JBL Reflect Aero TWS
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component produces high human frequencies and if it changes to the signal while at it.
JBL Reflect Aero TWS's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices can generate equal treble Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery life is 4.5 hours, these last less 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 more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings. JBL Reflect Aero TWS's battery life is more than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 3.5 hours . Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less listening time.
The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. 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 more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before having to recharge the case itself.
JBL Reflect Aero TWS's charging case has a battery life of 16 hours, less than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 2 hours 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. JBL Reflect Aero TWS takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery, less than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 1.5 hours The Bowers & Wilkins PI7, the device supports wireless charging.
To charge the earbuds, you just put down on a compatible charging pad. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights indicate the charging status of your earbuds and case.
JBL Reflect Aero TWS too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you to tell the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or having a low battery. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 use USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable. JBL Reflect Aero TWS too support USB TYPE-C.
This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current electronics. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. JBL Reflect Aero TWS has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, newer than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth. JBL Reflect Aero TWS have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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 the same bit rate.
Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 will work well with your MacBook. 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 APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps). 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). The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have 6 microphones.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS microphones are 6, equal to that of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 . More microphones record better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out background sounds. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to filter out noise from the earbuds' sound. The JBL Reflect Aero TWS too use a noise-canceling microphone.
Especially useful in noisy areas. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound so that they can still be heard even when wearing them The JBL Reflect Aero TWS support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music while being aware of your surrounding, say you’re having a jog but still want to hear traffic. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused.
When misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a find earbuds feature. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support fast charging. Commonly, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the time it takes to charge the earbuds.
The JBL Reflect Aero TWS 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 is charged to 50% in 30 minutes.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. The JBL Reflect Aero TWS also have the mute function. It means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice.
With the Bowers & Wilkins PI7, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. JBL Reflect Aero TWS too have a control panel on them. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have voice prompts.
With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection. The JBL Reflect Aero TWS also have voice prompts meaning the device notifies you when the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 come with a special pouch.
Carrying earbuds without a case, or placing them inside your bag without a casing can easily damage them. JBL Reflect Aero TWS also have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.