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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 offers strong noise isolation, integrated microphone quality, and is optimal for air travel and book or podcast listening, with capabilities that include active noise canceling, low latency, and wireless charging; however, they are considerably more expensive. On the other hand, the JBL Live Pro 2 provides better overall sound quality, is more suited for use during exercise, and has a longer battery life for both the earbuds and the case, all at a lower price point. If cost is a major factor and you prioritize general sound quality and exercise use, the JBL Live Pro 2 might be the better choice. 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
Advantages of the JBL Live Pro 2
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
6.8
5.9
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair for music, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Gaming
8.1
5.3
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
5.8
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Bowers and Wilkins PI7 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Live Pro 2 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
6.8
5.5
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair for TV and video, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
9.1
The JBL Live Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good.
Battery
3.0 Hours
8.3 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Pro 2 has 8.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$90
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the JBL Live Pro 2 costs $90.
Build Quality
8.9
7.0
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has very good build quality, while the JBL Live Pro 2 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.2
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Bowers and Wilkins PI7 are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the JBL Live Pro 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | JBL Live Pro 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $90 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | June 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 8.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.7 Hours | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 4.8 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."
JBL Live Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | February 2023
"The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS occupy an interesting space in the wireless earbuds market. They’re a step up from cheap wireless earbuds and allow you to access better sound quality without having to make the jump to more premium options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. They’re an entertaining listen, easy to use and manage to pack in a lot of useful features. We think they’re well worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 or the JBL Live Pro 2
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 JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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