Ingress protection ratings refer to the rank of protection given by an enclosure, against dust and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to resistance 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 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 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
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a weight of 50g . We consider a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are easier to carry.
Sony WF 1000XM4, at 7.1g
weigh less than the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by -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 matter since they have no wires. This is an important distinction since wireless earbuds have cables linking the pair of earbuds together. Sony WF 1000XM4 also is true wireless since it doesn't have wires connecting the two earbuds together.
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 Sony WF 1000XM4 and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation uses more advanced technology to actively counter noise. How it works, it studies the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then generates a mirror signal to cancel it out.
Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero resulting in a reduced level of noise.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have ANC allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't need to crank up the earbuds volume to overcome background noise. Sony WF 1000XM4 too have Active Noise Cancellation making both earbuds ideal for flights and morning commutes.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 and Sony WF 1000XM4 work with different noise cancellation settings, pick the setting that suits your commute or that enhances your relaxation time. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 stay tightly in place, this creates a sound covering that reduces your environment sounds while preventing the earbuds sound from leaking out .
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that both tone down ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 driver unit is 9.2mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass.
A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the earbuds, the unit size dictates the sound made by the earbuds. Sony WF 1000XM4 driver unit is 6mm in diameter,
which means 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 are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not indicate that they produce better quality sound.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component produces low recognizable frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through. Sony WF 1000XM4's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means 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 shows how well a particular audio device makes high audible frequencies and if it 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
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 WF 1000XM4's battery life is
more than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 3.5 hours
. Each 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.
The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and the Bowers & Wilkins PI7's case has a charge of 18 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before having to recharge 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 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 unused for extended periods. Sony WF 1000XM4 takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery,
less than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 1.5 hours
Bowers & Wilkins PI7, the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply place down on a supported charging pad.
Sony WF 1000XM4 also support wireless charging, always look out for the charging standard of the earbuds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. Its lights indicate the charging status of your earbuds and case.
Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators enable you determine the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or having a low battery. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable. Sony WF 1000XM4 too have USB TYPE-C.
This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current electronics. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables 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.
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 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 MacBook. 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 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. 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).
Sony WF 1000XM4 support APTX HD too. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have 6 microphones.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 microphones are 4,
less than that of Bowers & Wilkins PI7 by 2
. More microphones result in better sound quality and help the device to filter out background sounds. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce background sounds from the earbuds' sound. The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a noise-canceling microphone.
This is useful in noisy areas. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound so that they can still be heard even while wearing the earbuds
The Sony WF 1000XM4 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music while being aware of what’s happening around you, say you’re having a run but still want to be able to hear traffic. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused.
The 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 be found in your bag, Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a find earbuds feature. Sony WF 1000XM4 also have the find earbuds feature.
Simply use the earbuds app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your device to help you locate them. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support fast charging. Most often, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge a device.
Sony WF 1000XM4 too 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 thirty minutes.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a mute function, they support the feature 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 earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk.
With 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 also have a control panel on them. Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have voice prompts.
Automatically receive information through audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection. Sony WF 1000XM4 also support voice prompts meaning the device notifies you when the battery is running low, and you need to recharge the earbuds. The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 come with their own special pouch.
Carrying earphones openly, or putting them inside your bag without a cover may easily damage them. Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a travel bag included, which is useful for safe transportation.
