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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a premium listening experience for music in quiet environments and are willing to invest more, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 offer very good overall sound quality and noise isolation. However, they are not ideal for gaming or calls and meetings. On the other hand, the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC, while less expensive and offering overall good performance, provide the versatility of both wireless and wired connections and are good for longer listening sessions, given their excellent battery life. They also have active noise canceling and are better suited for air travel. If budget is a concern and you need headphones suitable for varied usage including occasional noise cancellation, JLab would be the sensible choice. 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 JLab Jbuds Lux ANC.
Advantages of the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.7
6.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and JLab Jbuds Lux ANC are both only fair for music, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
8.3
7.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
70.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The JLab Jbuds Lux ANC has 70 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$80
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $149 and the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC costs $80.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.3
5.4
The JLab Jbuds Lux ANC and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.2
The JLab Jbuds Lux ANC and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
5.8
The JLab Jbuds Lux ANC and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.6
5.6
The JLab Jbuds Lux ANC and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and JLab Jbuds Lux ANC both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | JLab Jbuds Lux ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | February 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 6.1/10 | |
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 | 6.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 70 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 2.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | N/A | |
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 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 235 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."
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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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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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