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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2, while more expensive, offers a more immersive music listening experience with better overall sound quality, active noise canceling, and higher build quality. However, for calls and meetings, as well as gaming and watching TV, you may experience drawbacks with the Pi5 S2. In contrast, the Skullcandy Dime 2, while more affordable and less impactful in sound quality, provides excellent portability, sweat-proof certification without noise canceling, and is more straightforward with fewer features like app customization. If budget isn't a constraint and you prioritize sound and noise cancellation, the Pi5 S2 would be preferable; otherwise, for casual listening and greater affordability, the Dime 2 would be practical. 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 Skullcandy Dime 2.
Advantages of the Skullcandy Dime 2
The Skullcandy Dime 2 has no clear advantages over the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2.
Key differences
Music
6.7/10
6.0/10
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both only fair for music, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is somewhat better.
Gaming
5.3/10
4.7/10
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both poor for gaming, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
8.3/10
6.5/10
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is only fair.
Battery
5.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Skullcandy Dime 2 has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$181
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $181 and the Skullcandy Dime 2 costs $30.
"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."
"With the low price, it’s a low-risk investment. The Dime 2 is a decent set of backup buds for those times when you don’t want to risk your more upscale buds. If it weren’t for the lackluster battery life, I’d say everyone should have a pair as a spare for music."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Skullcandy Dime 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 Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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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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.