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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is a budget-friendly over-ear headphone option that offers good overall sound quality and is wired, making it a solid choice for those not needing wireless connectivity. It is less suitable for exercise or travel due to its size and lacks features like a microphone. In contrast, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is a more premium earbud that supports advanced wireless codecs, active noise cancelling, and has a better score for comfort and calls. It's more portable and exercise-friendly but comes at a higher price. If budget is a concern and wireless features aren't essential, the M20X may be the better option; however, if you're looking for top-notch sound quality in a compact, wireless format with additional features like noise cancelling and a mic for calls, the Pi7 S2 would be a worthwhile investment. 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 Audio Technica ATH M20X
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.2
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$127
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 costs $127.
Build Quality
6.9
8.9
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
7.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 are both good for music.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $127 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 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 | 13 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 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 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Engadget
Billy Steele | March 2023
"While the overall sound quality is great, these earbuds fall short in terms of battery life, customization and ANC performance. Bowers & Wilkins’ ability to consistently deliver pristine sound isn’t enough to make up for what the Pi7 S2 lacks, which is unfortunately quite a bit."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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