A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX offers excellent overall sound quality, superior build quality, and better performance for music and TV/video with features such as AptX Adaptive codec and active noise cancelling, making them suitable for high-fidelity audio and noisy environments. They also have a longer battery life and wireless charging. However, they are priced higher and have lower call and meeting quality. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2, being somewhat less expensive, are great for exercise and air travel due to their sweatproof and dustproof features, and have ear/head detection for convenience, but they fall short in music, gaming, and TV/video experiences. If your priority is top-notch sound and build quality, and you don't mind spending more, Beoplay EX might be the better choice, whereas if you want a more budget-friendly option with solid portability and exercise suitability, consider the Pi5 S2. 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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
- Good for music
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has no clear advantages over the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX.
Key differences
Music
7.9
6.7
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
9.3
5.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is excellent for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
8.9
5.6
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has a price of $399 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 costs $149.
Build Quality
10.0
8.9
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has best in class build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.3
5.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
5.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX | Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 9/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 0.75 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 22 | 19 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Dig into reviews and images
Leaf and Core
Danielle | January 2023
"If you’ve wanted truly wireless headphones, but couldn’t pick them up because they sound terrible, these will be the headphones that win you over. If you’re the kind of person who would consider spending $400 on headphones, these are the right truly wireless headphones for you."
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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX or the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
About Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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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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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