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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 earbuds are a more expensive option, bringing premium features such as Active Noise Cancelling, higher comfort, and better build quality. They support a low latency codec, making them suitable for watching TV and videos without sync issues, and they perform well during calls. However, their suitability for gaming isn't as high as one might expect for the price. On the other hand, the Grado GT220, while less expensive, offers superior overall sound quality and built-in controls. They are lighter and smaller, which may be more comfortable for some users. They lack Active Noise Cancelling, which can be a downside for use in noisier environments. Both have decent portability and support wireless charging, but the Bowers and Wilkins have a shorter battery life and take longer to charge. 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 Grado GT220
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
8.1
5.1
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
6.9
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
8.8
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8
5.5
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
5.3
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for noise reduction, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$259
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the Grado GT220 costs $259.
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Key similarities
Music
6.8
6.3
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Grado GT220 are both only fair for music.
Build Quality
8.9
8.8
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Grado GT220 both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the Grado GT220 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | Grado GT220 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $259 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Grado | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.7 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 36 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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."
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 or the Grado GT220
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 Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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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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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