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Bowers & Wilkins PI5 and Bowers & Wilkins PI7

These are the first True Wireless in-ear headphone models from Bowers & Wilkins, which the company is now introducing in the form of the Bowers & Wilkins PI5 and Bowers & Wilkins PI7, and are said to offer unrivalled sound quality.

Bowers & Wilkins describes the two solutions Bowers & Wilkins PI5 and Bowers & Wilkins PI7, which are now being presented as the company’s first true wireless in-ear headphones, as nothing less than state-of-the-art.

The two new in-ear headphones are said to set new standards not only in terms of features and sound, but also in terms of operation. They speak of smart technology that ensures maximum comfort.

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 – From the developers of the Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Diamond

Bowers & Wilkins explicitly states that the new Bowers & Wilkins PI5 and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 were developed by the same team behind the Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Diamond. As such, these headphones embody the same industry-leading engineering and design philosophy that the British company says has led to the development of some of the world’s finest audio products.

True Sound with True Wireless

The term ‘True Sound’ is used by many companies, including Bowers & Wilkins, to describe more than 50 years of experience and innovation in the audio industry, and the new Bowers & Wilkins PI5 and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 are designed to deliver an unparalleled sound experience.

Music, the company claims, should be reproduced exactly as the artist intended.

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 – the new flagship speaker

The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is clearly the new flagship in-ear headphone from Bowers & Wilkins. The PI7 is designed to deliver the highest level of audio quality, redefining the bar in True Wireless Sound.

Two drivers, separate amplifiers…

Inside, dual hybrid 9.2 mm balanced armature driver units are at work, the design corresponds to a high-end loudspeaker system that also uses separate drivers for the different frequency ranges.

In a figurative sense, it’s a bi-amping system, because each of the four drivers in the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 – two in each earphone – is actively driven by its own amplifier. This design, they claim, provides exceptional control, outstanding dynamics and rich, accurate bass.

24-bit signal transmission

In order to fully exploit this potential, wireless signal transmission should not be a weak point. Therefore, a Bluetooth module from the specialist Qualcomm is used, which, in addition to the lossy codecs SBC and AAC, also guarantees aptX Adaptive and thus, in connection with compatible source devices such as smartphones based on Google Android or designated portable hi-res audio players, a signal transmission with 24 bits.

Adaptive Noise Cancelling

To ensure that your music is always uninterrupted, the new Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is also equipped with active noise cancellation. Adaptive Noise Cancelling, this is designed to automatically adjust ambient noise cancellation in real time to the prevailing conditions.

In order to be able to have conversations on the go at any time, there are no less than a total of six microphones, three in each earphone, so that crystal-clear voice quality is guaranteed, as promised by the manufacturer.

Smartcase for charging and wireless audio transmission

The fact that a transport case with integrated charging function is part of the scope of delivery has long been a matter of course in this class. The in-ear headphones, which have a battery life of up to four hours, can be fully charged up to four times while on the move.

What is particularly exciting, however, is that in the case of the new Bowers & Wilkins PI7, the transport case also takes on another task, which is why the manufacturer calls it a smart case.

It can function as a so-called transmitter case and thus enable wireless audio transmission.

The case can be connected directly to an audio source and then transmits audio signals “wirelessly” to the in-ear headphones. This is interesting on planes, for example, because it allows you to “connect” directly to the in-flight entertainment system without having to forego the convenience of “wireless” signal transmission to the headphones.

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 – Perfect for the mobile lifestyle

The second new model, the Bowers & Wilkins PI5, is a little more modest, although the manufacturer says it offers all the high-quality, sound-enhancing features you’d expect from a product from the British specialist.

True Wireless+ Technology

True Wireless+ technology is used here to ensure stable, high-quality synchronisation between the two earpieces.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI5 uses a 9.2 mm driver specially developed for this headphone.

CD-quality signal transmission

Of course, the new Bowers & Wilkins PI5 do not have to settle for lossy signal transmission, as aptX is supported in addition to the SBC and AAC codecs.

The manufacturer states that the battery life of the new Bowers & Wilkins PI5 is up to four and a half hours, which can be extended by a further 20 hours with the help of the charging case included in the scope of delivery. A quick-charge function is said to provide up to two hours of playing time in just 15 minutes.

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 also with active noise cancellation

The Bowers & Wilkins PI5 does not have to do without active noise cancellation either, although it uses conventional active noise cancelling. A pass-through function allows for quick conversations and you are not completely cut off from the outside world, which is important when driving in traffic, for example.

Of course, you can make phone calls at any time via two integrated microphones.

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Smart one-button operation and voice assistant support

As already mentioned, Bowers & Wilkins emphasises smart technology in both new in-ear headphones, which should allow for convenient operation.

For example, both Bowers & Wilkins PI5 and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 in-ear headphones are configured using the Bowers & Wilkins Headphones app and they can be controlled via intuitive one-button operation. Of course, voice control solutions are also available, be it Apple Siri or Google Assistant.

Another feature that deserves special mention is that the two headphones can be paired with multiple sources, so you can enjoy music with a wide variety of devices as needed without having to set them up again.

“With our new headphones, we are taking a step into the True Wireless category. It has been our philosophy since the days of our founder, John Bowers, that we only enter a new category when we believe we can set a new standard for audio quality in that area. With the PI7 and PI5, we’ve achieved that.”

Geoff Edwards, Brand President, Bowers & Wilkins

According to the manufacturer, the new in-ear headphones from Bowers & Wilkins will be available in specialist shops within the next few days. Both models come in a choice of white or anthracite. The recommended retail price for the Bowers & Wilkins PI5 is €249 and for the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 €399.

Getting to the point

These are the first true wireless in-ear headphones from Bowers & Wilkins, which are now available in the form of the new Bowers & Wilkins PI5 and Bowers & Wilkins PI7 models. The British specialists are first and foremost competing for the favour of customers with their outstanding sound quality, but they also boast remarkable features and, last but not least, a very appealing design. Especially the flagship model Bowers & Wilkins PI7 stands out with some remarkable features.

Manufacturer:Bowers & Wilkins
Distribution:Bowers & Wilkins
Price:Bowers & Wilkins PI5 € 249,-
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 € 399,-
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Michael Holzinger

Michael Holzinger, founder and editor-in-chief of HiFi BLOG and sempre-audio.at, has been working for years as a journalist in the fields of IT, photography, telecommunications and consumer electronics.

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