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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your top priority and you primarily want headphones for music and gaming, consider the EPOS PC38X; they offer superior sound and are especially praised for gaming due to their excellent microphone quality and soundstage. However, the Bowers and Wilkins PI7, although pricier, provide versatility through wireless connectivity and active noise cancelling, making them suitable for travel and exercise. They also support high-quality codecs like AptX Adaptive and have features such as ear detection and wireless charging, which are absent in the EPOS PC38X. Both have high build quality, but the choice ultimately depends on whether you prioritize wireless convenience and noise cancellation (PI7) or superior sound quality and a better gaming experience (PC38X). 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 PI7
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.8
9.5
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
8.1
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good.
Phone Calls
5.1
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
7.9
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8
9.0
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery.
Cost
$399
$139
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the EPOS PC38X costs $139.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and EPOS PC38X both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the EPOS PC38X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | EPOS PC38X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $139 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | EPOS | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 10/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 10/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.7 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 2.5/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins PI7
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | April 2022
"The primary selling point of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is the charging case that can transmit audio from any analog source to the earbuds. If you have a very specific and clear need for that feature, then the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is for you."
EPOS PC38X
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Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 or the EPOS PC38X
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 EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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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.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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