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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 earbuds offer features like active noise cancellation and a waterproof design, which could be a deciding factor for use in noisy environments or during workouts. In contrast, the Moondrop Chu does not have noise cancellation but offers a cable with ear hooks and the capability for balanced audio with additional cables, thus potentially providing a more secure fit and higher audio fidelity for audiophiles. With the Bowers and Wilkins, you're paying a premium for brand reputation, build quality, and additional functionalities. If budget is a concern, the Moondrop Chu offers good sound quality at a more affordable price, but with fewer extra features. 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
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Moondrop Chu
- Good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.7
7.9
The Moondrop Chu is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
8.0
The Moondrop Chu is very good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
8.8
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
7.6
The Moondrop Chu is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.5
The Moondrop Chu is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Moondrop Chu is only fair.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Moondrop Chu does not have a battery.
Cost
$181
$22
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $181 and the Moondrop Chu costs $22.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Moondrop Chu both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Moondrop Chu compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Moondrop Chu |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$181 | $22 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | April 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 8.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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 | 8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | In-Line | |
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."
Moondrop Chu
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2022
"These budget buds put the pressure on those premium priced in-ear monitors to really justify the cost disparity. Offering excellent sound quality at any price, the Moondrop Chu is both a perfect entry into the audio enthusiast hobby, and an all around good pick for music fans."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Moondrop Chu
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 Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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