The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If wireless connectivity is important to you and you prefer earbuds suitable for exercise and travel, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 supports Bluetooth with low latency and is sweatproof, making them great for active use and commuting. However, their sound quality in music is not as good as the Sennheiser IE600, which offers top-tier sound. The Sennheiser IE600, while typically more expensive and lacking wireless capability, has a better build quality, and its sound performance is excellent for music and TV but with no low latency for gaming. Neither are the best option for calls and meetings. If you prioritize sound for music and media consumption over wireless convenience, the Sennheiser IE600 could be the better choice, but for a versatile and portable wireless option, especially for active users, the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is suitable. 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 Sennheiser IE600
Very good for music
Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.8/10
8.3/10
The Sennheiser IE600 is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
8.1/10
6.7/10
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the Sennheiser IE600 is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.1/10
3.5/10
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Sennheiser IE600 are both poor for phone calls, though the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8/10
5.4/10
The Sennheiser IE600 and Bowers and Wilkins PI7 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Sennheiser IE600 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
6.8/10
9.3/10
The Sennheiser IE600 is excellent for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3/10
7.0/10
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser IE600 is good.
Battery
3.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser IE600 does not have a battery.
Cost
$399
$599
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the Sennheiser IE600 costs $599.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser IE600 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 Sennheiser IE600 compare to other earbuds and headphones
"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."
"If you've got the bucks, the Sennheiser IE 600 is a nice, upscale set of in-ear monitors made of a lightweight metal with an unusual texture. It comes with a suite of extras, and performs well at virtually every task."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 or the Sennheiser IE600
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.