Final I checked in on the true wi-fi earbuds entrance, I used to be having a look at all the choices from final yr and sorting by way of one of the best of one of the best to select some favorites. And whereas I praised loads of choices from 2022 for having distinctive characteristic units, cozy in-ear builds, and naturally simply sounding nice, there’s a brand new pair of earbuds in the marketplace that has shortly develop into my favourite. It’s possible you’ll balk on the severely steep price ticket of the brand new Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2, however I’m right here to inform you simply why these high-end buds are price a hear.
Arms-on with the brand new Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 earbuds
Having launched again in February with a $399 price ticket, the newest addition to the Bowers & Wilkins secure hit the scene as among the model’s first true wi-fi earbuds. We’ve seen just a few earlier debuts into the true wi-fi class from the model prior to now, however these actually do scream newest and biggest in every little thing from type to operate.
Specifically, these are the second-generation pair of the unique Pi7 earbuds, and Bowers & Wilkins has delivered some notable enhancements. The sound high quality is seeing an enchancment, whereas the precise package deal is only a tad lighter than earlier than, too. Although the most important needs to be on reliability, with the corporate placing in some work to make these extra persistently one of the best cord-free listening expertise round. And from my utilization over the previous month, that has definitely paid off.
The whole lot with the brand new Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 begins with the charging case. It’s one of many bigger builds in the marketplace, however is in actual fact a bit lighter than the earlier iteration. There’s three colorways obtainable, with a reasonably customary white or black pair being joined by the blue stylings that Bowers & Wilkins despatched over to me. I merely love the blue and gold shade scheme, and discover these to be among the best-looking earbuds round. I included them in a charging station evaluate earlier within the yr, and acquired so many questions as to what shiny new earbuds made a debut in among the pictures. So already, the Pi7 S2 appear to impress.
The case itself has an built-in Qi charging coil that allows you to refuel the inner battery that gives 24 hours of playback. There’s additionally USB-C, which permits one other characteristic we’ll circle again on in a second, in addition to providing wired refueling. One factor to notice about that extra premium trying design although is that it does are likely to scratch a bit. I wouldn’t say greater than the likes of AirPods or different fashions, however the shimmery aesthetic does present it off a bit extra distinctly than the traditional white plastic on Apple’s flagships.
Then there’s the earbuds themselves, which tackle a reasonably compact form-factor. Extra AirPods Professional than the earbuds with a stick-like design, I’ve discovered that the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 are additionally among the extra snug buds on the market. Included within the field are an assortment of ear suggestions that allow you to get the fitting match, and designs that keep in my ears fairly properly.
Packed into that design are 9.2mm twin hybrid drives that every come powered by their very own particular person amplifiers. There are onboard contact controls which might be extra dependable than I’ve discovered the competitors to be, although there isn’t all an excessive amount of customization out of the field from Bowers & Wilkins’ presets. And as each pair of premium earbuds ought to have, there are put on detection sensors that routinely play and pause music whenever you put the buds in or take them out.
That’s all to say that the {hardware} all stacks as much as ship one of many most balanced listening experiences I’ve heard from a pair of true wi-fi earbuds. The Bowers & Wilkins signature sound is one thing I’ve written house about earlier than like in my evaluate of its Zeppelin speaker. And it’s paying off so properly on this form-factor, too! There’s rocking bass and very clear vocals, all packed into an expansive soundstage that offers Spatial Audio a run for its cash. I’ve discovered that somme of the mids get misplaced in playback, however sound does nonetheless handle to remain crisp even on the highest quantity degree.
I’ve ran the earbuds by way of every little thing from acoustic performances and punk rock to space-y ambient tracks and the donk-iest J-core units possible, all of which sounded nice. The Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 have a knack for emphasizing the intricacies of various genres, all whereas guaranteeing that every one sorts of music sounds nice.
ANC is unmatched, too
To assist make that listening expertise even higher, Bowers & Wilkins isn’t skimping out on the energetic noise cancellation options for the brand new Pi7 S2, both. Giving even the business leaders of Apple a run for its cash, these earbuds ship extraordinarily strong efficiency at blocking out on a regular basis distractions. Subways are a bit of cake, not to mention avenue visitors and every other audio that would disturb your listening periods. Hell, there have been numerous events over the previous month the place my accomplice comes within the entrance door and I’m sitting cluelessly lower than 5 toes away.
One of many extra attention-grabbing options of the earbuds are the truth that Bowers & Wilkins has constructed wi-fi audio retransmission into the Pi7 S2. Plugging the charging case into any audio supply through the included 3.5mm to USB-C cable permits you to direct the sound correct to the true wi-fi buds. Whether or not that’s inflight audio from a airplane infotainment system or your Nintendo Swap, it could possibly bypass the necessity to depend on Bluetooth.
9to5Toys’ Take
On the finish of the day, you’re doubtless going to know if spending $399 on a pair of earbuds is a deal breaker or not. Even when I inform you that the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 are nothing wanting my favourite pair of earbuds ever – and they’re, for the document – it’s a tricky promote.
The second that these go on sale nevertheless, the story modifications. I’ll be conserving my eye on value cuts right here specifically, as a result of with the ability to rating the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 for nearer to $300 definitely makes these a greater worth. However till then, the listing value goes to be reserves for individuals who need among the easiest that cash can purchase. These are positive to be my go-to for the foreseeable future and will definitely make a few of my upcoming earbud opinions a bit harder. I’m doubtless simply going to be wishing I might be rocking these as a substitute of no matter hits my desk but.
I’m definitely excited to see how the remainder of the yr performs out, too. I’ll after all be having a look at how 2023 shakes up on the finish of the yr with my typical earbud report, and hopefully we’ll see the brand new Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 proceed to reign supreme. However till the mud settles, these are nonetheless my favourite earbuds in the marketplace.
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