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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 comes down to your preferences and use case. The PI7 earbuds offer a more compact form factor, which is beneficial for exercise and portability, while the WH-1000XM5 headphones may provide better overall sound quality and noise isolation, which is ideal for air travel and extended listening sessions. If you prefer the convenience of true wireless earbuds and don't mind paying more, the PI7 could be your choice. But, if you value superior sound and you want to save some money, the Sony WH-1000XM5 might be the better option. Additionally, the Sony has longer battery life for extended use without frequent charging. 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 Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
6.8
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
8.1
5.6
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
6.0
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8
5.8
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good.
Battery
3.0 Hours
40.3 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bowers and Wilkins PI7 are both poor for phone calls.
Cost
$399
$398
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
Build Quality
8.9
8.8
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Sony WH-1000XM5 both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.7 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | N/A | |
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 | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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 | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 249.4 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."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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