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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are wireless earbuds that offer good overall sound quality, portability, and noise isolation, suitable for use during air travel, and feature Active Noise Cancelling and sweat and dustproof certifications, making them adaptable for varied environments including exercise. They support AAC codec which is beneficial for Apple device users and offer around 5 hours of battery life with an additional 19 hours from the case, while also providing wireless charging. The Turtle Beach Recon 70, on the other hand, is a wired, over-ear headphone with excellent microphone quality making them exceptional for calls and meetings, higher sound quality for enjoying books or podcasts, and better suited for gaming and TV due to their boom mic and virtual surround capabilities. However, they are less portable, not as convenient for exercise or travel, and lack wireless functionality and Active Noise Cancelling. If you prioritize supreme mic quality, gaming, and are on a budget, the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is a suitable choice, but if you prefer versatility with wireless convenience, noise isolation, and active lifestyle features, the Pi5 S2 is the better option despite being more expensive. 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 Turtle Beach Recon 70
- Good for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
5.3
8.4
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is very good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
9.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is best in class for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
7.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.5
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.6
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 does not have a battery.
Cost
$181
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $181 and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 costs $40.
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Key similarities
Music
6.7
7.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Turtle Beach Recon 70 to be good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Turtle Beach Recon 70 both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Turtle Beach Recon 70 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$181 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Turtle Beach | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | May 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
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 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 10/10 | |
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 | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 309 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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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."
Turtle Beach Recon 70
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Sound Guys
Sam Moore | September 2022
"There aren’t many considerations to make here. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 sounds decent, offers solid chat audio, feels good to wear over long periods, and it works everywhere. If you’re in the market for a simple plug-and-play option, you could do a whole lot worse (and spend a whole lot more money). Regardless, if getting something cheap that works well is the only thing you care about, this is a great option."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Turtle Beach Recon 70
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.
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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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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.
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