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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience and active noise canceling for commuting or air travel, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 would suit you well, plus they provide good battery life with wireless charging. However, the Etymotic ER4XR, while pricier and wired, offers superior noise isolation and a focus on sound quality that's hard to match, making it a better choice for critical listening and environments where you don't mind a cable. Neither is ideal for exercise due to their size and fit, and if call quality is a consideration, note that the Pi5 S2 has a microphone while the ER4XR does not. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Etymotic ER4XR
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.7
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
6.2
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
7.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery.
Cost
$149
$234
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $149 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.0
4.7
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Etymotic ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
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."
Etymotic ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
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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.
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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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