The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 earbuds offer good sound quality, are wireless, and are suitable for air travel and exercise due to their secure fit and sweatproof certification. They also support AAC and AptX HD codecs, which is beneficial for high-quality streaming, but they have a shorter battery life. In contrast, the HifiMan Sundara headphones boast superior sound quality and a wider soundstage, making them ideal for an immersive experience in music and TV. However, they are wired, less portable, open-back which means less noise isolation, and not suitable for exercise or calls since they lack a mic. If you prefer convenience and features like sweat resistance and wireless capabilities for a lower price, go for the Pi7 S2; for better sound quality and an open-back design for a more natural sound at a higher price, choose the Sundara. 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 Sundara
Excellent for music
Good for gaming
Very good for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.5/10
9.3/10
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is good.
Gaming
5.3/10
7.2/10
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6/10
7.8/10
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
6.0/10
8.8/10
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3/10
2.5/10
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery.
Cost
$127
$279
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has a price of $127 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
8.9/10
8.2/10
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has somewhat better build quality.
"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."
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
Get a great deal on the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 or the HifiMan Sundara
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
95,000
Recommendations made
14,250
Consumer hours saved
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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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.