A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you highly value sound quality and noise isolation for activities like air travel, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 may be your preferred choice, though they come at a higher price. However, if you are looking for better value, longer battery life, and features like an app equalizer for sound customization, the Soundcore Space A40 could be more suitable for you, especially considering its much lower price. Both offer similar comfort and are sweatproof, making them good options for exercise. Keep in mind neither are tailored for gaming or TV due to higher latency. 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 Soundcore Space A40.
Advantages of the Soundcore Space A40
- Good for music
Key differences
Music
6.7
7.7
The Soundcore Space A40 is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
4.9
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore Space A40 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
8.3
9.1
The Soundcore Space A40 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Space A40 has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$181
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $181 and the Soundcore Space A40 costs $80.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Gaming
5.3
4.9
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore Space A40 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.0
4.8
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore Space A40 are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.6
5.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore Space A40 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Soundcore Space A40 both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Soundcore Space A40 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Soundcore Space A40 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$181 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | 32 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
See more
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."
Soundcore Space A40
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Smart | May 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is an excellent deal if you want affordable noise canceling earbuds with great sound. The baseline frequency response is enjoyable, and the many EQ presets to choose from plus the ability to customize your sound profile makes it good for pretty much anyone. The noise canceling is quite good, and the many ear tips to choose from ensure a good fit for the noise canceling and isolation to do its job."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Soundcore Space A40
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 vs. Sennheiser 560S
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 vs. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 vs. Sony WF1000XM3
VS
Compare Soundcore Space A40 vs. Jaybird Vista 2
VS
Compare Soundcore Space A40 vs. Beats Studiobuds
VS
Compare Soundcore Space A40 vs. Soundcore Life Q30
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
95,000
Recommendations made
14,250
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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.
Featured in
