Bowers & Wilkins’s Newest In-Ear Wireless Headphones Promise a Solid 5 Hours of Play Time
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Make no mistake, wires are still essential for traditional headphones when audiophile-quality performance is demanded, but for on-the-go listening, premium earbuds offer convenience, simplicity and comfort. Yet anyone looking for a pair of the latter faces a bewildering array of choices. That challenge just got easier with two brand-new designs announced today from Bowers & Wilkins, whose Pi7 S2 and Pi5 S2 represent the second generation of the brand’s acclaimed True Wireless models.
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True Wireless means just that—no wires connect the devices to an audio source, or to one another, as do many others that require a wire linking left and right channels. Thus untethered, one can go about one’s business free of, well, entanglements. The Bowers & Wilkins Pi S2 series are true miniature marvels, enclosing transducers, microphones, control functions and a battery in the body of each minute earbud. The Pi7 S2—the flagship model—boasts four 9.2 mm drive units, coupled to a high-frequency “balanced armature” driver. And each drive unit is driven by its own amplifier. The Pi5 S2 uses a solitary 9.2 mm drive unit in each earbud.
The original Pi7 and Pi5 were designed to deliver hi-resolution performance across the frequency spectrum, and both S2 models add enhanced connectivity and battery life to these already accomplished headphones. Inside the body of each device, a re-engineered antenna increases Bluetooth range up to about 82 feet to ensure an even more stable connection.
As battery life has been extended to five hours before needing a recharge, listening sessions can last the duration of a coast-to-coast stateside flight. And a quick-charge function allows these little cans to add two hours with just 15 minutes of charging.
Both models integrate the Bowers & Wilkins Music App, which supports high-resolution streaming via services such as Qobuz, TIDAL and Deezer directly from the user’s mobile device. These earbuds can also connect to an external source like an in-flight entertainment system, making them ideal for frequent flyers. A one-button interface on the earbud controls everything, and is coupled to voice-assistant support with Google Assistant or Siri.
The casework and fine finishes make each earbud a small fashion statement, to the extent that anyone can see them. The Pi7 S2 ($399 per pair) is offered in Satin Black, Canvas White and Midnight Blue, while the Pi5 S2 ($299 per pair) comes in Cloud Grey, Storm Grey, Spring Lilac and Sage Green.
Click here for more photos of the new Bowers & Wilkins in-ear wireless headphones.
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