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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M40X headphones deliver very high-quality sound with an excellent soundstage but are not wireless, lack a mic for calls, and are less comfortable than earbud options. They are best suited for high-fidelity music listening and watching TV, especially considering their attractive price point. In contrast, the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 earbuds are wireless with a modern stemless design, excellent mic quality for calls, and come with features such as active noise cancelling, sweat and dust resistance, and an app for customization. They are much more portable, offer better noise isolation, and are more versatile for use during exercise or travel, but they are significantly more expensive. If budget is a major concern and you mostly need headphones for home use, the Audio Technica ATH M40X may be the better value, but if you need versatility and portability with advanced features and can afford the premium, the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 would provide a more comprehensive experience. 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 M40X
Very good for music
Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins PI7
Very good for gaming
Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.1/10
6.8/10
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
7.0/10
8.1/10
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.
Phone Calls
3.3/10
5.1/10
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.7/10
6.8/10
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3/10
8.3/10
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
3.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$399
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 costs $399.
Build Quality
8.2/10
8.9/10
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality, though the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has somewhat better build quality.
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
"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 Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Bowers and Wilkins PI7
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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