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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The AKG K712 Pro headphones boast superior soundstage, which enhances the sense of space and direction in your audio, making them ideal for an immersive music listening experience. They also offer greater comfort which is important for long listening sessions. However, they aren't wireless and their open-back design doesn't isolate sound well, so they're not suited for noisy environments or on-the-go use. On the other hand, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 earbuds are wireless, offer active noise cancelling and are more portable, which is great for commuting or traveling. They also support AAC codec for better sound quality on Apple devices and have a longer battery life. Choose the AKG K712 Pro if you prioritize sound quality and comfort at home, and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 for versatility and active noise cancellation when you're out and about. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the AKG K712 Pro
- Good for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.7
6.7
The AKG K712 Pro is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
7.0
5.3
The AKG K712 Pro is good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
5.6
The AKG K712 Pro is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
8.4
5.6
The AKG K712 Pro is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the AKG K712 Pro is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The AKG K712 Pro does not have a battery. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$659
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The AKG K712 Pro has a price of $659 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 costs $149.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and AKG K712 Pro are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.5
8.9
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and AKG K712 Pro both have very good build quality.
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How the AKG K712 Pro and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K712 Pro | Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$659 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2013 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.75 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 19 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 235 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
AKG K712 Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Headfonics
Michael | October 2013
"AKG has created a mini-masterpiece in my opinion. I enjoy this headphone a great deal and it will become my go-to reference headphone for the time being. She is slick, sexy, well-balanced, and crazy comfortable."
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
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About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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