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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
As you are considering the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the HifiMan Edition XS which are at a similar price point, consider your preferences and usage scenarios. Bowers and Wilkins PI7 are wireless earbuds offering convenience and portability with active noise cancellation, making them ideal for commuting and travel. They also feature a built-in microphone for calls. The HifiMan Edition XS are over-ear, open-back headphones providing a more natural and expansive soundstage suited for critical listening in quiet environments. They lack a microphone and portability compared to the PI7, but offer superior sound quality for home listening. Choose the PI7 for versatility and on-the-go use, or the Edition XS for a premium home listening experience. 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 HifiMan Edition XS
- Very good for music
- Best in class for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.8
8.8
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
8.1
7.4
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
7.9
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8
9.5
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class 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 HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery.
Cost
$399
$269
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $269.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.0
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and HifiMan Edition XS both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $269 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 4.4/10 | |
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 | No | |
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 | 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) | 7 Grams | 421 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."
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 or the HifiMan Edition XS
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 HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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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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