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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M30X are wired over-ear headphones that offer good sound quality and are noticeably cheaper than the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2. They are suitable for listening to music and watching TV or video due to their audio clarity and lower latency but lack a microphone for calls. These headphones also have a foldable design for better portability, although they aren't wireless. In contrast, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 are premium true wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling and higher portability, better for travel and exercise, with a comfortable fit and support for high-quality codecs like AptX HD. They also have a microphone for calls but are less ideal for gaming due to higher latency, and they are significantly more expensive. 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 M30X
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.6
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M30X 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 M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
7.9
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M30X 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 M30X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$127
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 costs $127.
Build Quality
7.2
8.9
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
7.5
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 are both good for music.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $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 | 7.7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 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 | 7.2/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M30X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a great choice for anybody that needs a decent set of over-ear studio monitors. While the frequency response is not totally spot on, it works for basically every situation reasonably well. The sound quality and reasonably good comfort promote its candidacy as a great pick for $69 USD."
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 M30X 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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