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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize mic quality and want to save money, the Jabra Elite 4 would be a better choice, they also offer excellent build quality and more customization with app controls. However, they lack high fidelity codecs and are not optimized for use with all devices. On the other hand, if you prefer earbuds suitable for air travel with active noise canceling and wireless charging, the premium-priced Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 would suit you better, despite their lower call and mic quality. Neither of these options is ideal for gaming or watching TV due to lower latency performance. 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
- The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has no clear advantages over the Jabra Elite 4.
Advantages of the Jabra Elite 4
- Very good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
5.0
8.8
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
8.6
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
7.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Jabra Elite 4 is good.
Cost
$181
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $181 and the Jabra Elite 4 costs $100.
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Key similarities
Music
6.7
6.6
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Jabra Elite 4 are both only fair for music.
Gaming
5.3
5.4
The Jabra Elite 4 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Jabra Elite 4 to be only fair for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Jabra Elite 4 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Jabra Elite 4 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 Jabra Elite 4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Jabra Elite 4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$181 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Jabra | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | 21 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 4.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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."
Jabra Elite 4
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"The Jabra Elite 4 is a good midrange option with solid isolation and aptX codec for Android. It sounds consumer friendly from the box and the app has some EQ to adjust to taste. Some included luxuries include multipoint, sidetone, and Spotify Tap"
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Jabra Elite 4
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 Jabra
Jabra is a subsidiary of GN Store Nord, a 150-year-old Danish company that specializes in the manufacturing of hearing aids, headsets and earphones. Jabra has a focus on fit and comfort and quality control over everything else. According to Peter Karstromer, Jabras CEO, they “design and engineer technology that frees people to work, live and communicate how and where they want to, equipping them with the tools to live their life to a new rhythm”.
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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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