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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For an immersive music experience, the Etymotic ER2SE offers superior sound quality; however, the lack of features such as wireless capability, active noise cancelling, and integrated microphone make them less versatile than the Bowers and Wilkins PI7, which support wireless connections, have noise cancelling, and a built-in microphone for calls. The PI7 are also more suitable for exercise due to their sweatproof build and offer more hours of usage per charge, including case battery life. If budget is a key consideration, the ER2SE provide a cost-effective option with high fidelity, but with the tradeoff of a wired connection and fewer modern conveniences. 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 gaming
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.8
8.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
8.1
6.2
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
7.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8
7.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
9.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good.
Battery
3.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery.
Cost
$399
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the Etymotic ER2SE costs $100.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
4.9
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER2SE to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the Etymotic ER2SE compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | Etymotic ER2SE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | February 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 4.2/10 | |
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 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
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."
Etymotic ER2SE
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 or the Etymotic ER2SE
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 Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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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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.
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