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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize excellent sound quality and comfort, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones are a better choice with good durability. For portable earbuds with active noise cancelling, sweatproof and dustproof capabilities, making them suitable for exercise and travel, the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 would be ideal, though it is a premium-priced product. The Sony offers a longer battery life and virtual surround, which enhances gaming and video experiences; however, the Bowers and Wilkins support AptX Adaptive and AptX LL codecs providing high-quality, low-latency audio, suitable for high-fidelity listening. The Bowers and Wilkins also feature wireless charging, which the Sony lacks. 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
- The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has no clear advantages over the Sony WH-CH520.
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Good for music
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.8
7.6
The Sony WH-CH520 is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
8.1
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 and Bowers and Wilkins PI7 are both very good for gaming, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
5.1
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
4.6
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
52.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$40
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.9
7.0
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.7 Hours | 1.9 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 | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 147.41 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-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 or the Sony WH-CH520
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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