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 January 10, 2024·
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are earbuds that provide a good balance between sound quality and features like active noise cancelling, wireless operation with a wireless charging case, and sweatproof certification, making them versatile for various activities including exercise and travel. On the other hand, the Focal Elex headphones offer superior soundstage and are open-backed for a more immersive experience, but they lack noise isolation and are not portable, leaning more towards dedicated at-home listening. They are also significantly more expensive. If you favor convenience and portability at a cheaper cost, go with the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2; however, if you prioritize top-notch sound quality for home use and don't mind spending more, choose the Focal Elex. 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 Focal Elex
- Good for music
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.7
7.7
The Focal Elex is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
6.9
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
4.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
7.1
The Focal Elex is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
8.3
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Focal Elex does not have a battery.
Cost
$181
$749
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $181 and the Focal Elex costs $749.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Elex 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 Focal Elex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Focal Elex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$181 | $749 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | December 1, 2017 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
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 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 450 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."
Focal Elex
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Dig into reviews and images
Golden Sound
Golden Sound | October 2021
"The Focal Elex are an excellent pair of headphones for the money and a great all-rounder that will suit many tastes. They’re an easy recommendation for anyone looking for something comfortable, well built, that looks good, and will work with just about any genre."
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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.
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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.
By the numbers
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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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