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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value sound quality over convenience and are willing to invest more, the Audeze Maxwell generally offers superior audio with planar magnetic drivers known for their clear, detailed sound. However, they are bulkier than earbuds and might not be as portable. On the other hand, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 earbuds are more travel-friendly and usually more affordable, but they might not match the sound excellence of Audeze. They're also easier to wear during physical activities. Consider the Audeze if your priority is high-fidelity audio at home or in a studio and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 if you need something compact and versatile for on-the-go use. 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 Audeze Maxwell
- Very good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Music
8.4
6.7
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
9.0
5.3
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.7
5.0
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
5.6
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
8.9
5.6
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audeze Maxwell is only fair.
Battery
78.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$181
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 costs $181.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audeze Maxwell to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $181 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 0.75 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 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 | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audeze Maxwell
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | August 2023
"Despite a few caveats, the Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-performing gaming headsets on the market and should top the ranks for a few buyers — provided the budget (and neck strength) is there. Gaming headsets have their work cut out for them, and their audience is historically unkind to performance flaws. If you’re an older gamer with some cash to blow, you should be pleased with the Audeze Maxwell."
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 Audeze Maxwell or the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
About Audeze
Audeze is an, award-winning, American premium headphone manufacturer based in California. Founded in 2008, their products are developed around aerospace materials technology first used by NASA and are widely used by enthusiasts and professionals alike, not only in the fields of music and sound engineering but also in e-sports and the health industry.
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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Why trust us
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
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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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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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