Home Wireless Earbuds Jbl Tune Flex Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7

Jbl Tune Flex Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Review

Last updated on Mar 30, 2024   8 minute read
Note: This page may contain affiliate links, we only earn from qualifying purchases!
JBL Tune Flex

JBL Tune Flex

See price on Amazon

Reasons why you might like the JBL Tune Flex

Overall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 8 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 4 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode
VS
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Bowers & Wilkins PI7

See price on Amazon

Reasons why you might like the Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Overall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IP54
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 4.5 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode

Jbl Tune Flex Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Review In Summary

Category Features JBL Tune Flex Bowers & Wilkins PI7
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating IPX4 IP54
weight 9.6g 50g
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 12mm 9.2mm
lowest frequency 20Hz 10Hz
highest frequency 20,000Hz 20,000Hz
sound pressure level 108dB/mW
POWER battery life 8hours 4.5hours
battery life of charging case 24hours 18hours
charge time 2hours 3hours
has wireless charging
has a battery level indicator
CONNECTIVITY has usb type-c
bluetooth version v5.2 v5
maximum bluetooth range 10meters 10meters
has aac
has aptx adaptive
has aptx hd
MICROPHONE number of microphones 4only 6only
has a noise-canceling microphone
mic sensitivity -38dBV/Pa
EXTRAS has ambient sound mode
has in/on-ear detection
has find earbuds feature
supports fast charging
multipoint count 2only
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

Jbl Tune Flex Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 Review In Detail

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

JBL Tune Flex IPX4
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 IP54

Ingress protection ratings is the rating of protection offered 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 say dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (water).

Having a value of IPX4, the JBL Tune Flex's rating is read as, the first value of X denotes that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second number of 4 means 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 JBL Tune Flex, Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a rating of IP54 meaning 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 that of liquids is that, they both have the same rating against liquids

Weight

JBL Tune Flex 9.6g
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 50g

The JBL Tune Flex have a weight of 9.6g . We prefer a lower weight better because lighter devices are easier to move with.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7, at 50g weigh more than the JBL Tune Flex by of 40.4g

Has No Wires Or Cables

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

True wireless devices have no cables connecting any part of the device together, JBL Tune Flex are true wireless for this case since they don't have wires. This is a major difference since wireless earbuds have cables connecting the 2 earbuds together.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also is true wireless since it has no cables connecting the 2 earbuds .

Sweat Resistance

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

JBL Tune Flex are resistant to sweat

Has Stereo Speakers

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

JBL Tune Flex have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.

Both Bowers & Wilkins PI7 and JBL Tune Flex have stereo speakers

kinsta kinsta

Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Active noise cancellation uses advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds. How it works, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and then inverts the soundwaves to counter it. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 (noise) and adding -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.

JBL Tune Flex have Active Noise Cancellation 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.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes either of the devices ideal for flights and rush hour commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for travel or that suites your chill time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

The JBL Tune Flex sit tightly in place, this creates an acoustic covering that tones down your environment sounds and also prevents the earbuds sound from leaking out .

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this implies that they tone down ambient noise without using technology to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

JBL Tune Flex 12mm
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 9.2mm

JBL Tune Flex driver unit is 12mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the device, its size dictates the loudness of the earbuds.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 driver unit is 9.2mm in diameter, which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of JBL Tune Flex by 2.8mm , a common assumption 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 indicate that they deliver better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

JBL Tune Flex 20Hz
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 10Hz

The JBL Tune Flex's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio component generates low recognizable frequencies and if it alters the signal on its way through.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's lowest frequency is at 10Hz, this means that Bowers & Wilkins PI7 can make sound with a juicier bass than the JBL Tune Flex

Highest Frequency

JBL Tune Flex 20,000Hz
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 20,000Hz

The JBL Tune Flex's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well an audio component makes high audible frequencies and if it adjustments to the signal while at it.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices generate equal treble

Sound Pressure Level

JBL Tune Flex 108dB/mW
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

SPL, is the pressure level of sound, in decibels, dB, JBL Tune Flex's measurement is 108dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.

Power

Battery Life

JBL Tune Flex 8hours
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 4.5hours

JBL Tune Flex's battery life is 8 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's battery life is less than that of JBL Tune Flex by 3.5 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.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

JBL Tune Flex 24hours
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 18hours

This is given by the manufacturer, and the JBL Tune Flex's case is said to have a charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before having to recharge the case itself.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7's charging case has a battery life of 18 hours, less than that of JBL Tune Flex by 6 hours

Charge Time

JBL Tune Flex 2hours
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 3hours

It takes 2 hours to fully charge the JBL Tune Flex's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for extended periods.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 takes 3 hours to fully charge the battery, more than that of JBL Tune Flex by 1 hours

Has Wireless Charging

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Bowers & Wilkins PI7, the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you just put down on a compatible charging pad.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

JBL Tune Flex have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights show the charging status of your device and charging case.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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.

kinsta kinsta

Connectivity

Has Usb Type-C

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

The JBL Tune Flex support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too support USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current electronics.

Bluetooth Version

JBL Tune Flex v5.2
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 v5

The JBL Tune Flex have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data transfers between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 has a Bluetooth version of 5, older than that of JBL Tune Flex . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

JBL Tune Flex 10meters
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 10meters

The JBL Tune Flex have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the JBL Tune Flex

Has Aac

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

JBL Tune Flex 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 a similar bit rate.

Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the JBL Tune Flex will work fine 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 Bowers & Wilkins PI7 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.

Has Aptx Adaptive

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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).

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

JBL Tune Flex 4only
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 6only

JBL Tune Flex have 4 microphones.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 microphones are 6, more than that of JBL Tune Flex by 2 . More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out noise.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

JBL Tune Flex use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to filter out noise from the earbuds' sound.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy areas.

Mic Sensitivity

JBL Tune Flex -38dBV/Pa
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

The JBL Tune Flex microphone sensitivity is measured at -38dBV/Pa. The size of the analog or digital output signal from the microphone with its input stimulus is a measure of its sensitivity. It's the 'loudness' of the sound that the earbud microphone can pick up.

kinsta kinsta

Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

JBL Tune Flex support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises so that they can still be heard even when wearing the earbuds

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of your surrounding, say you’re having a run but still want to be able to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

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.

Has Find Earbuds Feature

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

If lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the JBL Tune Flex have a find earbuds feature.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 too have the find earbuds feature. You can use the earbuds app on your phone to play a sound from your device to locate them.

Supports Fast Charging

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

The JBL Tune Flex support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge a device.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

JBL Tune Flex 2only
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

JBL Tune Flex have a multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.

Has A Mute Function

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

JBL Tune Flex have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have this function. The mute function 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

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

The JBL Tune Flex, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a control panel on them.

Has Voice Prompts

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

JBL Tune Flex support voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have voice prompts meaning the device will notify you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge them.

Travel Bag Is Included

JBL Tune Flex
Bowers & Wilkins PI7

JBL Tune Flex come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds openly, or placing them in your pockets without a cover may easily put them at risk of getting damaged.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.