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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value premium sound quality and build, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 might be worth the extra investment as they typically offer superior audio performance and materials. However, if you are looking for good value and basic features, the Sony WH-CH520 may suit your needs at a lower cost. They might not deliver the same level of audio fidelity, but they can still provide a satisfactory listening experience for everyday use. Additionally, consider battery life and comfort for long-term wear, which tend to be better in high-end models like the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2, and look for specific features like active noise cancellation or water resistance if those are important for your use case. 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 WH-CH520.
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.7
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
4.6
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $149 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.9
7.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
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 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 147.41 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 WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Sony WH-CH520
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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