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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize top-tier sound quality and noise isolation for activities like air travel, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 may be the better choice, but they are typically pricier. On the other hand, if a good quality microphone for calls and longer battery life in the charging case are more important, and you prefer to spend less, the JBL Live Free NC+ would suit your needs well. The Bowers and Wilkins offer greater noise isolation which can be a crucial factor for some users, and they support wireless charging, which adds convenience. However, both models offer a similar battery life for the earbuds themselves and are equally optimized for both Android and Apple devices. 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 JBL Live Free NC+.
Advantages of the JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.7
5.8
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
7.6
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
8.4
The JBL Live Free NC+ 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 JBL Live Free NC+ is good.
Cost
$149
$60
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $149 and the JBL Live Free NC+ costs $60.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.3
5.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.6
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and JBL Live Free NC+ are both poor for TV and video.
Battery
5.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and JBL Live Free NC+ both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the JBL Live Free NC+ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | JBL Live Free NC+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | March 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | 18 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 7 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."
JBL Live Free NC+
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Dig into reviews and images
HeadphoneCheck
Maike Paeßens | 2020
"JBL has added great-sounding, rock-solid all-rounders with a pleasant, warm sound character to their range. They are equipped with a high level of functionality that can be customised via the app. Some compromises have to be made with the active noise cancellation, which has a discreet effect, while the ambient mode and the Talkthru function proved to be powerful despite a perceptible background noise."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the JBL Live Free NC+
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 JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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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