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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize noise isolation and frequent air travel, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 offers superior performance, although it comes at a higher price. On the other hand, the JBL Live Pro 2 has better battery life and is more suitable for use during exercise, due to its lighter weight and sweatproof certification, and is typically much less expensive. Both models provide active noise cancellation and are wireless with stemless earbuds. The Bowers and Wilkins offer slightly better overall sound quality and are optimized for use with Apple devices, while the JBL has an app equalizer feature for sound customization. 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 Pro 2.
Advantages of the JBL Live Pro 2
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
6.7
5.9
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair for music, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
9.1
The JBL Live Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
8.3 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Pro 2 has 8.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$90
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $149 and the JBL Live Pro 2 costs $90.
Build Quality
8.9
7.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality, while the JBL Live Pro 2 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.3
5.3
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.2
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
5.8
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.6
5.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and JBL Live Pro 2 are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the JBL Live Pro 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | JBL Live Pro 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $90 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | June 1, 2022 | |
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 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 8.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 4.8 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 Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | February 2023
"The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS occupy an interesting space in the wireless earbuds market. They’re a step up from cheap wireless earbuds and allow you to access better sound quality without having to make the jump to more premium options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. They’re an entertaining listen, easy to use and manage to pack in a lot of useful features. We think they’re well worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the JBL Live Pro 2
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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