Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Headphones w/ ANC
Keywords: bowers-wilkinsdynamic-headphonesearbudsheadphonesin-earnoise-cancellationtrue-wirelesswireless-headphones
Product Gallery
Product Overview
Bowers & Wilkins PI5 are premium true wireless in-ear headphones with active noise cancellation. They are powered by B&W's 9.2mm dynamic drivers; unlike the PI7 unveiled at the same time, they lose the dual-driver setup, retaining only the large 9.2mm unit for each earbud.
Another difference from the PI7 is that the PI5 support a narrower set of aptX Bluetooth codecs. The PI5's charging case also loses the ability to retransmit audio signals.
Nevertheless, the PI5 retain the comfortable design of the PI7 and feature a similar set of active noise cancellation technologies. In particular, there is support for Ambient Pass-Through technology for when environmental awareness or conversation is needed. The number of microphones, however, are cut to four in a setup similar to that found in the PI4.
Ratings
What we found**
Pros
- Above-average noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Strong bass depth and crisp highs
- Wireless charging
Cons
- In-canal seal could be more secure
What external reviewers found***
External score 71% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Excellent audio performance
- Solid battery life
- Comfortable fit
- Sleek, premium design
Cons
- Poor noise isolation
- Lack of bass depth
- No aptX codec support
- Not the best battery life
- No EQ
- No manual equaliser settings
Price Comparison
Specifications
Connectivity
Ports
USB-C
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth
Construction
Cable
20cm USB-C cable
Carrying Case
Yes
Colors
White, Charcoal
Drivers
9.2mm Dynamic Drive with Balanced Armature
Form Factor
In-Ear, True Wireless Headphones, Earbuds
Headphone Type
Dynamic headphones
Microphone
2x mics for ANC + 2x mics for telephony
Dimensions
Weight
8 g
Function
Bluetooth Codecs
AptX, AAC, SBC
Bluetooth Profiles
A2DP v1.3.1, AVRCP v1.6.1, HFP v1.7.1, HSP v1.2, BLE GATT
Fast Charging
2hrs with 15min charge
Noise Cancellation
Yes
Performance
Battery Life
4hrs Bluetooth with ANC
Frequency Response
10Hz ~ 20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion
0.3% (1kHz/10mW)
Production
Debut
2021-04
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Launch Comparison
Clear List
External Reviews
pcmag[1]
Reviewer score 63%The PI5 earphones are a little better at dialing back deep low frequencies. They do a comparably decent job with mids, while both pairs struggle somewhat to eliminate high frequencies. Neither pair is superior to the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds or the Sony WF-1000MX4, which offer the most effective noise cancellation in the true wireless category.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Above-average ANC and audio performance
- Water-resistant build
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- No EQ
- Lack of bass depth
t3[2]
Reviewer score 80%, so you get about 24.5 hours of playback in total. It's not the best battery life you can get from a pair of true wireless earbuds, some will give you as much as 10 hours from a single charge. But despite that, it is similar to the AirPods Pro and it's more than you get from the much more expensive Bowers & Wilkins PI7 buds. The bass is powerful without being too overbearing, you can still hear the lyrics with clarity and instruments come through with impressive accuracy.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Easy to use
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- Not the best battery life
- No manual equaliser settings
tomsguide[3]
Reviewer score 69%The Bowers & Wilkins PI5 is basically a scaled down version of the PI7. Soundscapes is the app's signature feature and comes with six different profiles. ANC can neutralize about the same level of ambient noise as AirPods Pro, plus the two-level transparency mode.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Sleek, premium design
- Excellent audio performance
- Solid battery life
Cons
- Poor noise isolation
- No aptX codec support
User Reviews
Comments
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References
- ^ Bowers & Wilkins PI5 Review. [pcmag]. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/bowers-wilkins-pi5. 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2021-06-23.
- ^ Bowers & Wilkins PI5 review: similar to the T3 award-winning headphones but so much cheaper. [t3]. https://www.t3.com/reviews/bowers-wilkins-pi5-review. 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
- ^ Bowers & Wilkins PI5 review. [tomsguide]. https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/bowers-and-wilkins-pi5. 2021-06-07. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
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These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party reviews. They may differ from the original texts.
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