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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 earbuds offer good overall sound quality with added features like wireless connectivity, active noise cancelling, and sweatproof certification, making them suitable for exercise and travel. They also have built-in controls and support for high-quality audio codecs like AptX HD, despite their lower price. On the other hand, the HifiMan Edition XS headphones excel in sound quality and soundstage but lack wireless connectivity and are not as portable or exercise-friendly. They don't have active noise cancellation, which might be a concern if you often listen in noisy environments. Consider the Pi7 S2 if you need versatile, affordable earbuds for different activities, or choose the Edition XS for top-notch audio experience at home. 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 S2
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the HifiMan Edition XS
- Very good for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.5
8.8
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is good.
Gaming
5.3
7.4
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
7.9
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
6.0
9.5
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
5.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for phone calls.
Cost
$259
$269
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has a price of $259 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $269.
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and HifiMan Edition XS both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and the HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $269 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 13 | 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 | 7/10 | 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 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Engadget
Billy Steele | March 2023
"While the overall sound quality is great, these earbuds fall short in terms of battery life, customization and ANC performance. Bowers & Wilkins’ ability to consistently deliver pristine sound isn’t enough to make up for what the Pi7 S2 lacks, which is unfortunately quite a bit."
HifiMan Edition XS
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Dig into reviews and images
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 S2 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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