Bowers & Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Which wireless earbuds should you buy?
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Which wireless earbuds should you buy?
This Bowers & Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds comparing breaks down two of the market'south best noise-cancelling earbuds, helping you make up one's mind which model best suits your needs and upkeep.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is the latest big release in the truthful wireless category that blends class-leading sound and robust agile noise cancellation into a super-luxe blueprint, which is also dust- and water-resistant. These buds come with some powerful audio specs, from Dual Hybrid Bulldoze units with individual amplifiers to aptX Adaptive codec back up. In addition, they come with a multipurpose charging case that doubles every bit a wireless adapter (more on that later).
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A top seller with all-time-in-class ANC and phone call quality, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds serve as the true wireless alternative to the Bose 700: one of the all-time over-ear headphones. Minimalist in look, withal silently effective in operation, Bose's racket neutralization technology performs at the highest level. These buds also come with satisfying audio and personalized features via companion app.
We tested both high-priced offerings to compare every major category and determine the real king of true wireless noise cancellation. Read on to meet whether the PI7 or QuietComfort Earbuds brand for the meliorate splurge.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Specs compared
| Bowers & Wilkins PI7 | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 | $279 |
| Wireless Charging Case | Yes | Yes |
| Chip | Qualcomm | Qualcomm |
| Battery Life (Rated) | four hours (ANC on), 20 hours (with charging instance) | 6 hours, 18 hours (with charging case) |
| Water Resistance | IP54 | IPX4 |
| Case Size | two.3 ten 1.ane x 2.2 inches | three.5 x 2 x one.3 inches |
| Example Weight | ii.1 ounces | 2.7 ounces |
| Special features | Adaptive active noise cancellation, adjustable ambient listening mode, aptX Adaptive support, Soundscapes, wireless adapter functionality | Adaptable agile noise counterfoil, Active EQ technology, Transparency Style, Bluetooth 5.1, Cocky Voice calling fashion |
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Price
Many find the AirPods Pro ($249) to be expensive, so to run into the PI7 ($399) and QuietComfort Earbuds ($279) cost fifty-fifty more will probable exist offputting. I can argue that they are overpriced, though their level of performance and ANC technologies say otherwise.
Withal, the QuietComfort Earbuds are much more affordable, which is proverb a lot. It'south also likely that Bose will discount them heading into the holidays every bit the company has done with the Bose 700. The odds of B&W marker downwardly the PI7 any time soon are slim to none.
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Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Design
Accept advent and form into consideration and tell us which is more bonny? Come on, it'due south clearly the PI7. B&West'south reputation for crafting premium sound hardware remains intact, every bit the brand's flagship buds feel as good in hand as they look worn on your ears. Build quality ranks loftier with matte plastic and aluminum making upwardly their entire limerick. Details like the protruding metal cylinder, which resembles a dial, and the laser-etched logo around it are nice touches. An IP54 rating means you're protected from light splashes, rain, sweat and fifty-fifty clay ingress.
Bose ready a standard for ultramodern designs on headphones with the 700. We knew this wouldn't likely be the example with the QuietComfort Earbuds, just the final product simply lacks ingenuity, every bit exemplified past the bland look and wide shape. The durable shell and IPX4 water resistance are the design's only appealing attributes. Bose chose part over fashion, making the unabridged forepart i long touchpad, while integrating a black IR sensor into the sound port and placing mics at the lesser of the casing. All of these moves help with performance, though plain, they came at the cost of style.
Each model is bundled with a large, pocket-stuffing charging case. However, the PI7's case is lighter, flashier, more than portable friendly, and supports more functionality with B&W challenge the forepart button will serve a time to come function; expect this to come up in a firmware update. The QuietComfort Earbuds' case is huge and weighs down your pockets, though information technology shares like durability to the earbuds and has a Bluetooth button for manually pairing, just like the PI7.
The PI7 isn't only the ameliorate-looking model, only also the improve fitting of the 2. Y'all should exist fine wearing it for an hr or two before experiencing some soreness around the front of your ears; the elongated sound port does pinch the tragus. At least the tips provide a tight seal for decent isolation and moderate stability.
Bose's StayHear Max silicone ear tips and fins are supposed to optimize fit, but don't exactly live up to that promise, as the actress weight causes the QuietComfort Earbuds to sideslip out when moving fast on commutes. The IR sensors use unwanted force per unit area to the concha as well.
Winner: Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Controls
The touch controls, on-ear detection, and vocalisation assistance are every bit great on these ii sets of buds. Some will favor the PI7 for its extensive input methods, while others volition find the QuietComfort Earbuds more serviceable with unique controls like on-board book. Either way, you're getting reliable functioning from either product.
B&W programmed the PI7 with several functions that tin be enabled through single, double, and triple taps and long press gestures. The touch panels are compliant with each input method; we love the option of cycling through favorited ANC settings. Also, the move sensors are spot-on and automatically pause music when removing the buds. Vocalization assistance is where the PI7's controls excel most with B&W's vi-mic array practiced at picking up vocals, while Siri and Google Assistant execute voice commands with ease.
Despite just supporting double taps and long presses, the QuietComfort Earbuds are highly functional for playback, phone call management, and voice assistance, the latter being remarkable. The addition of book controls via software update makes a huge difference, and nosotros noticed the touch panels besides accept swipes as an input method, which is more constructive for activating certain functions. On-ear detection has also been improved and works better than it did at launch. However, the QuietComfort's unsung hero is its incredibly powerful mic assortment that makes using the digital assistant an absolute blast. It demonstrates the best spoken language recognition of any model in its grade, plus Siri and Google Assistant dish out results as speedily as they receive them.
Winner: Draw
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Sound quality
Sound is a staple for B&Westward the aforementioned way noise cancellation is for Bose, and the PI7 is quite the sonic stunner. The combination of Dual Hybrid Drive units with individual amplifiers for each commuter, along with 24-bit audio and aptX Adaptive codec support places these fancy buds in audiophile territory, which shows when streaming music on hi-res platforms like Qobuz and Tidal. Lows are emphatic and blend superbly with crisp mids and highs for well-rounded and detailed sound. The PI7 tin handle complex recordings likewise, revealing subtle nuances you won't hear on the QuietComfort Earbuds or several other competitors.
But what gives the PI7 an sound border over the QuietComfort Earbuds is its charging case. B&W figured out a way to have it double equally a wireless adapter that can retransmit sound to the buds when plugged into any compatible audio jack. Even better is that it tin can stream music in aptX. That's crazy.
We even so can't believe that Bose engineered the QuietComfort Earbuds with a frequency curve similar to the Bose 700, and though you get pleasant audio performance, it doesn't compare to B&W's sound signature. Bose'southward Active EQ technology and proprietary drivers deliver plenty of item and crisp mids. The buds could do good from higher book, which would also requite bass a nice boost.
Winner: Bowers & Wilkins PI7
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Active racket cancellation
When it comes to ANC, the PI7 is the most impressive true wireless option yet and the QuietComfort Earbuds' greatest threat, only information technology however falls short of dethroning the king. The fact that Bose managed to give its buds nearly the aforementioned noise cancellation every bit its over-ear sibling and up to 10 adjustable ANC levels is nearly mind-bravado.
Selecting the max level blocks out close to xc% of ambient noise and adjusting ANC to the mid-level marking still gets you better performance than most other sub-luxury models. Disturbances like doorbells, kitchen appliances, and loud conversations will be completed muted, along with virtually traffic noises and air current. Is Bose's ANC technology powerful plenty to block out blaring sounds similar crying babies and law sirens? No, but information technology does the best job of minimizing them.
The PI7 has iii mics on each bud that work to keep most noises from entering the soundscape. This is good enough to put a kibosh on any mayhem taking identify in your living room, every bit well every bit rowdy pedestrians and the humming noise from centralized AC units. Wind resistance is also strong to eliminate the annoying whooshing effect produced in drafty conditions. Some noises like baby cries and construction tools will exist heard, though neither comes off harmful or distracting. An Motorcar Mode is available in the app that automatically adjusts ANC by examining the noise around you lot, though we found it less effective than the transmission ANC.
A transparency mode is programmed into both models and share something in common: they blend with noise cancellation to brand ambient noises more than distinguishable and less harsh on your ears. You will hear external sounds clearly on the PI7, but the QuietComfort Earbuds is flawless in action, to the point that you lot tin option upwardly conversations from across the street.
Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Special features and apps
The PI7 and QuietComfort Earbuds aren't loaded with features, though they are equally serviceable for personalizing the user experience. Each comes with their own companion app that has battery level indicators, toggle controls, firmware updates, and i or ii unique features worth checking out.
The B&W app doesn't accept much going for information technology besides a slider to adjust transparency levels and a Soundscapes fashion that masks the noise around you with nature sounds; this is actually a peachy stress-relieving tool. That'due south about it. Too, there seem to be some features missing (Standby Timer, phonation prompts) from the app that are sectional to the Bowers & Wilkins PX7.
It turns out the PI7's biggest feature (aside from ANC) comes outside of the app, that being the aforementioned charging case. Once again, you lot can plug information technology into any uniform analog audio output (like that of an aeroplane jack, smartphone or laptop).
As for the Bose Music app, there is a Self Voice style to let you hear yourself louder on phone calls, which helps when taking calls in loud settings. The latest firmware update allows users to command noise counterfoil and activate transparency mode with their vocalisation, though this feature is simply available to Xiaowei vocalisation assistant users in Prc. Bose besides kept some features exclusive to the 700, those being an adaptable EQ and Machine-Off selection to put the buds in sleep way.
Bose makes up for its lack of extended functionality by blessing the QuietComfort Earbuds with Bluetooth 5.one, resulting in stronger connectivity and steady range (35 feet). The PI7 operates on Bluetooth 5.0, and while it pairs to devices quickly, it has poor range that causes stuttering when past a 15-foot range.
Multipoint technology is MIA on both models.
Winner: Draw
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Call quality
At that place is only one model that fifty-fifty comes shut to the QuietComfort Earbuds' call quality, and it isn't the PI7; that award goes to the AirPods Pro. Bose's mic array enhances clarity and blocks out external sounds at a level no other pair of wireless earbuds tin match. You'll exist able to communicate with others lark-gratuitous, no matter the environment. Any current of air or blaring sounds are tamed exceptionally well, causing very piffling interference during calls.
To see the PI7's mics perform well with ANC and voice assistance and be mediocre for phone calls is disappointing. Book is also noticeably depression on the opposite stop. You should exist able to appoint in brief conversations when chatting in quiet settings, specifically indoors. Outside is where yous'll come across problems like cutout and crackling, which ofttimes occur when taking calls in drafty conditions.
Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Battery life
At 6 hours, the QuietComfort Earbuds doesn't exactly rank high in battery life, but this is sufficient for a bicoastal flight. Loftier volume, streaming, and special features will drop playtimes by about 30 minutes. Disabling both listening modes at the same fourth dimension would help extend use, only that isn't an option, every bit setting racket counterfoil to level 0 withal places the buds in transparency fashion. The charging instance won't become yous much playtime either, but property xviii hours when fully charged.
If y'all recall that's rough, the PI7 is fifty-fifty rougher with iv hours on a full accuse. B&West hasn't disclosed the playtime with ANC off, but my testing saw the buds last about xxx minutes longer. Go along in mind at that place is no sleep mode, so yous'll need to toss the buds back in the charging case, which, while slightly college than its competitor at twenty hours, is still depression.
Both models support wireless charging and quick charging, netting you 2 hours of listening fourth dimension on a xv-minute charge.
Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Verdict
It's been a while since we had a face up-off determined by such a small margin, just the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 squeezes out the win. Yes, the $399 price tag doesn't make it the most attainable pair of wireless earbuds, and the low bombardment life might accept you worrying about playtimes on the go. However, those fortunate enough to spend top dollar will exist rewarded with grade-A sound, along with some of the finest craftsmanship and dissonance counterfoil in the category.
Other hallmarks such equally the charging case's wireless adapter functionality and lossless audio support demonstrate B&W's delivery to providing an elite listening feel, even if at a premium.
| Bowers & Wilkins PI7 | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds | |
|---|---|---|
| Toll and value (5) | iii | 4 |
| Design (15) | 13 | ix |
| Controls (10) | 7 | seven |
| Audio quality (20) | 20 | 17 |
| Active noise cancellation(20) | eighteen | xx |
| Special features and apps (15) | 9 | 9 |
| Phone call quality (5) | 3 | v |
| Battery life (ten) | 6 | 7 |
| Total score (100) | 79 | 78 |
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are all the same the best noise-cancelling solution in true wireless form, but they autumn short of being the amend overall model. That statement doesn't devalue them. Bose did a phenomenal job of applied science these buds with similar ANC performance, call quality, and sound equally the Bose 700; that is a serious feat. Unfortunately, the design is an eye-and-ear-sore, and even if bombardment life on the buds is higher than the PI7, it's still low compared to the residuum of the marketplace.
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Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/face-off/bowers-and-wilkins-pi7-vs-bose-quietcomfort-earbuds
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