IP ratings refer to the level of protection offered by an enclosure, against solids and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that 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, Sony LinkBuds S have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
no data available to specify a protection rating
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a weight of 50g . We prefer a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are easier to carry.
The Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g
weigh less than the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by -40.4g
For a device to be true wireless it should have no wires linking any part of the device together, Bowers & Wilkins PI7 are true wireless for this case since they have no wires. This is an important difference as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the two earbuds together. Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires linking the 2 earbuds together.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have stereo speakers, what this means is that Bowers & Wilkins PI7's speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience. The Sony LinkBuds S also have stereo speakers
ANC uses advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and after inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out.
Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) and producing -1 (counter sound by the device) giving 0 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 outcompete background noise. Sony LinkBuds S too have ANC which makes either of the devices ideal for flights and morning commutes.
Each operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the setting that you prefer for commute or that enhances your relaxation time. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 sit well in place, this creates an acoustic seal that reduces your environment sounds and also prevents the earbuds sound from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this implies that both tone down 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, therefor producing better bass. The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, its size determines the loudness of the earbuds. Sony LinkBuds S driver unit is 5mm in diameter,
which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 4.2mm
, 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 yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not indicate that they produce better quality sound. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component produces low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 can make sound with a juicier bass than the Sony LinkBuds S
Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well a particular audio component makes high human frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal while at it.
Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this means that
Sony LinkBuds S produce a clearer and crispier treble than the Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery life is 4.5 hours, these last less than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is usually given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. Sony LinkBuds S's battery life is
more than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 1.5 hours
. Every time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less listening time.
The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. This is given by the manufacturer, and Bowers & Wilkins PI7's case is said to have a full charge of 18 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.
Sony LinkBuds S's charging case has a battery life of 14 hours,
less than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 4 hours
It requires 3 hours to fully charge the Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for long periods. Sony LinkBuds S takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery,
less than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 1 hours
Bowers & Wilkins PI7, the device supports wireless charging.
To charge the device, you simply place down on a compatible charging pad. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the device has a low battery. Its lights show the charging status of your device and charging case.
Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you determine the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or the battery is running low. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable. Sony LinkBuds S too support USB TYPE-C.
This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data movement between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Sony LinkBuds S 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. Sony LinkBuds S 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 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 Bowers & Wilkins PI7 will work well with your iPad. 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 Sony LinkBuds S 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. 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).
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have 6 microphones. The Sony LinkBuds S microphones are 6,
equal to that of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7
. More microphones result in better sound quality and help the device to filter out noise.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out noise from the earbuds' sound. 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 Sony LinkBuds S support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music while being aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a jog but would still want to hear traffic. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears .
The Sony LinkBuds S too support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience.
If misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support the find earbuds feature. Sony LinkBuds S too have the find earbuds feature. You can use the device app on your smartphone to play a sound from your device to help you find them.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge the earbuds. The Sony LinkBuds S too support fast charging.
This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just thirty minutes. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The Sony LinkBuds S also support this function. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party's voice. With the Bowers & Wilkins PI7, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.
The Sony LinkBuds S too have a control panel on them. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection.
The Sony LinkBuds S too have voice prompts meaning the device will notify you if the battery is low, and you need to recharge the earbuds. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 come with their own special case. Carrying earphones without a case, or placing them inside your bag without a cover can easily damage them.
Sony LinkBuds S too have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.
