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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 wireless convenience, active noise cancelling, and a compact form, making them suitable for exercise and travel. They have good overall sound, but their latency may not be ideal for gaming or TV. They support wireless charging and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. Conversely, the Philips Fidelio X2HR headphones have superior overall sound quality and an open design that enhances soundstage, suitable for critical listening and watching videos. However, they lack wireless capabilities, ANC, and are not portable or exercise-friendly due to their size and weight. Choose the Pi5 S2 for versatility and portability, or the X2HR for top sound quality in a stationary setting. 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.7
9.3
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is excellent for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
7.0
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
7.9
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
8.8
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Philips Fidelio X2HR does not have a battery.
Cost
$129
$148
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $129 and the Philips Fidelio X2HR costs $148.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.0
5.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Philips Fidelio X2HR are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Philips Fidelio X2HR to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Philips Fidelio X2HR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Philips Fidelio X2HR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$129 | $148 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | September 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 7.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
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 | 2.5/10 | |
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 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 390 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
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."
Philips Fidelio X2HR
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Dig into reviews and images
Liquid Audio
Stefan | May 2022
"This piece is a fantastic option for music lovers searching for premium sound and a snug fit. You should get these headphones if you care about sound quality and want to hear music in a new light. This technology is a great option for high-quality headphones with superb sound reproduction."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Philips Fidelio X2HR
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 Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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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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