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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize immersive gaming and TV experiences, the Audeze Maxwell headphones are the better choice, offering superior sound quality, a wider soundstage, and low latency, which is particularly important for gaming and real-time content. They also boast a significantly longer battery life for extended use. However, if you're often on-the-go, the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 earbuds are more portable and offer better noise isolation, which could be essential for travel or noisy environments. They also support wireless charging, adding a layer of convenience. While the Maxwell headphones are less costly, the PI7 earbuds might justify their price with features like dust and water resistance, active noise canceling, and optimized performance for both Android and Apple devices. 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 PI7
- The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has no clear advantages over the Audeze Maxwell.
Key differences
Music
8.4
6.8
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
9.0
8.1
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good.
Phone Calls
8.7
5.1
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
4.8
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
8.9
6.8
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audeze Maxwell is only fair.
Battery
78.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$399
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 costs $399.
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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 PI7 has very good build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Bowers and Wilkins PI7 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $399 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | April 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 5.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 0.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 20 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
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 | 7 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 PI7
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | April 2022
"The primary selling point of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is the charging case that can transmit audio from any analog source to the earbuds. If you have a very specific and clear need for that feature, then the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is for you."
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Bowers and Wilkins PI7
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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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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