Наушники — B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) Pi5 S2

The Pi5 S2 is a Bowers & Wilkins true wireless earbud model, announced in early 2023 alongside the Pi7 S2 at GBP 249 or USD 299. It replaced the original Pi5 of 2021 and is the lower-priced model of the S2 pair. The model is aimed at listeners who want noise cancelling and aptX in a compact case without the higher price of the Pi7 S2.

Key specs that matter

A 9.2 mm dynamic driver sits in each earbud. Bluetooth is version 5.0 with the A2DP 1.3.1, AVRCP 1.6.1, HFP 1.7.1, HSP 1.2 and BLE GATT profiles, and the redesigned antenna gives a range of up to 25 m. Supported codecs are aptX, AAC and SBC. Active noise cancellation is built in, and each bud has two microphones used both for calls and for noise cancelling. Battery life is up to 5 hours in the earbuds with ANC off, and the case adds 19 hours, while a 15-minute charge gives 2 hours of playback. The case charges wirelessly or by USB-C, and an 80 cm USB-C cable is included. The earbuds are rated IP54. Each bud weighs 6 g and the case 47 g, and the case measures 61 x 28 x 56 mm.

Engineering and use context

The Pi5 S2 supports standard aptX rather than aptX Adaptive, which the Pi7 S2 supports. The twin microphones in each bud feed both the noise cancelling system and the call function, so the same pickups measure ambient noise and the voice of the wearer. Unlike the Pi7 S2, the Pi5 S2 case cannot take a wired audio source and relay it to the buds, so it acts purely as a charger and storage case. Setup, noise cancelling settings and EQ are handled in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app, which also serves the company's headphones and wireless speakers. Water resistance to IP54 applies to the buds only, not to the case. The batteries are lithium-ion, and three sizes of ear tips, small, medium and large, come in the box. Colours are Storm Grey, Cloud Grey, Spring Lilac and Sage Green.

Pairing

Phones and tablets connect over Bluetooth, and Android devices with aptX support use that codec, while iPhones use AAC. Buds and case together give up to 24 hours of listening between charges of the case. With ANC switched on, battery life falls below the figure quoted with ANC off.

Alternatives

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 is the higher S2 model, adding aptX Adaptive at 24 bit and 48 kHz, with 5 hours in the buds plus 16 hours from the case, at GBP 349.