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What we think
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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience and active noise cancelling for a quieter listening experience, especially while traveling or in noisy environments, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 are a premium choice, but come at a higher cost. They also have modern features like sweat and dust resistance, an optimized experience for both Android and Apple users, and a longer battery life, which can be crucial for use during exercise or long commutes. However, if budget is a concern, and you don't mind a wired connection with no noise cancelling, the Sony MDREX15AP offer good sound for music and excellent performance for TV and video at a much lower price, though they may fall short for activities like exercise and may not provide the best experience for calls and gaming. 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 Sony MDREX15AP
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.7
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
6.7
The Sony MDREX15AP is only fair for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
3.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
7.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony MDREX15AP is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$181
$20
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $181 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
Build Quality
8.9
8.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Sony MDREX15AP both have very good build quality, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
5.4
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$181 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 3.1 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."
Sony MDREX15AP
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Dig into reviews and images
Make It Sound Great
Pete Anthony | June 2022
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Sony MDREX15AP
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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