IP ratings is the rating of protection given by a casing, against dust and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Having a value of 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 the second value of 4 means 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, Sony WF 1000XM4 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 consider a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are easier to transport.
The Sony WF 1000XM4, at 7.1g
weigh less than the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 with a difference -42.9g
For a device to be true wireless it should have no cables connecting 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 wires connecting the pair of earbuds together. Sony WF 1000XM4 also is true wireless since it doesn't have cables connecting the 2 earbuds together.
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, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience. Both Sony WF 1000XM4 and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation utilises more advanced technology to reduce ambient sounds. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out.
In simple terms, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (inverted noise) giving 0 hence "diluting" the noise.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background sounds. The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have Active Noise Cancellation making both devices ideal for plane rides and morning travels.
Each operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the setting that suits your travel or that enhances your chill time. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 stay well in place, creating an acoustic covering that reduces background noise while preventing the device music from leaking out at the same. Both Sony WF 1000XM4, and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have passive noise reduction which implies that they reduce ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a unit size of 9.2mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, its size determines the loudness of the device. Sony WF 1000XM4 driver unit is 6mm in diameter,
which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 3.2mm
, 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 yeah, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not imply that they deliver better quality sound. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal on its way through. Sony WF 1000XM4's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 can make sound with a juicier bass than the Sony WF 1000XM4
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well an audio component generates high audible frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal while at it.
Sony WF 1000XM4's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this implies that
Sony WF 1000XM4 can produce a clearer and crispier treble than the Bowers & Wilkins PI7
The 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 requires fewer chargings. Sony WF 1000XM4's battery life is
more than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 3.5 hours
. Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing 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 vendor, 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 several times before recharging the case itself.
Sony WF 1000XM4's charging case has a battery life of 16 hours,
less than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 2 hours
It takes 3 hours to fully charge the Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time. Sony WF 1000XM4 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 place down on a compatible charging pad. Sony WF 1000XM4 also support wireless charging, take note of the charging standard of the earbuds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery.
Its lights indicate the charging state of your earbuds and case. Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a battery level indicator, these enable you tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 use USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.
Sony WF 1000XM4 too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current electronics. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Sony WF 1000XM4 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2,
newer than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth. Sony WF 1000XM4 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 the same bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 will work well with your iPhone.
If you are planning on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. The Sony WF 1000XM4 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).
Sony WF 1000XM4 support APTX HD too.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have 6 microphones. While the Sony WF 1000XM4 microphones are 4,
less than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 2
. More microphones record better sound quality and help the device to filter out noise. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce noise from the earbuds' sound.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too use a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even when wearing the earbuds
The Sony WF 1000XM4 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of your surrounding, say you’re having a run but would still want to hear traffic.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused. Sony WF 1000XM4 support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience. If lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a find earbuds feature.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 also have the find earbuds feature. Simply use the device app on your phone to play a sound from your earbuds to help you find them. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support fast charging.
Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the time it takes to charge a device. Also the Sony WF 1000XM4 support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster.
For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just 30 minutes. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The Sony WF 1000XM4 also support the mute function.
It means that you can turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds. Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a control panel on them.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection. The Sony WF 1000XM4 too support voice prompts meaning the earbuds will notify you when the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 come with their own special pouch. Carrying earphones without a case, or putting them inside your bag without a casing may easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.
