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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If prioritizing sound quality and noise isolation for frequent air travel or commuting, consider the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2—they offer better overall sound and effective noise cancelling. However, they come at a premium price and have a shorter battery life. Alternatively, the JBL Tune Buds provide app equalizer and audio controls customization, longer battery life, and are more affordable, but without active noise cancelling and slightly lower overall sound quality. The decision hinges on whether you value advanced features and superior noise isolation over cost savings and longer playtime. Both are sweatproof and dustproof, suitable for exercise, and optimized for 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 Tune Buds.
Advantages of the JBL Tune Buds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.7
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Battery
5.0 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $149 and the JBL Tune Buds costs $50.
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Key similarities
Music
6.7
6.2
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and JBL Tune Buds are both only fair for music.
Gaming
5.3
5.4
The JBL Tune Buds and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.0
4.9
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and JBL Tune Buds are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
5.8
The JBL Tune Buds and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.6
6.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Tune Buds to be only fair for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and JBL Tune Buds both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the JBL Tune Buds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | JBL Tune Buds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
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 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 10.8 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 Tune Buds
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the JBL Tune Buds
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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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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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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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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