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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your priority, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 offers a superior listening experience, but the Sony WF1000XM3 has a wider soundstage which can provide a more immersive experience. For calls and meetings, the Sony's microphone is better quality. The Sony earbuds also support virtual surround sound, a feature not available on the Bowers and Wilkins, making them more suitable for movies and gaming. However, the Bowers and Wilkins boast better noise isolation and are slightly better suited for use during exercise with sweat and dust resistance. The Sony provides a longer battery life but lacks wireless charging, unlike the Bowers and Wilkins. 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 Sony WF1000XM3.
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- Good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.7
7.5
The Sony WF1000XM3 is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.0
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$129
$180
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $129 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.3
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Sony WF1000XM3 are both very good for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM3 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 Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$129 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 9 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."
Sony WF1000XM3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Sony WF1000XM3
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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