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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple Airpods Max, being over-ear headphones, will likely provide better noise isolation and are suitable for air travel, thanks to their active noise cancelling feature. They are more expensive and heavier, which could affect comfort during extended wear, but they also offer better build quality and built-in controls. On the other hand, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are earbuds that are more portable, sweatproof, and dustproof, making them ideal for exercise. They have a longer battery life and support wireless charging, but they might not provide the same level of noise isolation or the immersive experience for music and air travel as the Airpods Max. 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 Apple Airpods Max
- Good for music
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has no clear advantages over the Apple Airpods Max.
Key differences
Music
7.3
6.7
The Apple Airpods Max is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Phone Calls
6.6
5.0
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
5.6
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
8.3
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good.
Battery
21.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$549
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 costs $149.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.3
The Apple Airpods Max and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.6
The Apple Airpods Max and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Max to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 0.75 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 19 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
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."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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