TWO state-of-the-art True Wireless headphones (earbuds, if you want to be picky) mark Bowers & Wilkins’ entry into this realm – the PI7 and PI5. They were developed by the same team responsible for 800 Series Diamond loudspeakers found in Abbey Road Studios.
“We are excited to be venturing into the True Wireless category with our new headphones. It’s long been our philosophy, established by our founder John Bowers, that we would only enter a new category if we believed that we could set a new standard for audio performance in that space.
“With the PI7 and PI5, we truly believe we have achieved that,” says Bowers & Wilkins brand president Geoff Edwards.
According to the press release, “Both PI7 and PI5 models deliver the unrivalled high-resolution sound quality that audiophiles and music lovers have come to expect from Bowers & Wilkins. Now, that same signature sound quality is offered for the first time in True Wireless form, incorporating innovative and intuitive smart features designed to fit seamlessly into an on-the-go lifestyle.”
The P17 “has been crafted to deliver the very highest level of audio performance, redefining expectation in True Wireless… it is driven by high-resolution 24-bit audio processing in each earbud and Dual Hybrid Drive units that work just like high-performance speakers to create a rich and immersive listening experience.”
It also features Adaptive Noise Cancellation that automatically adapts in real-time to its surroundings to produce the best possible listening experience.
“This is driven by six microphones – three in each earbud – for crystal-clear sound quality with every call, all activated though an intuitive, one-touch user interface.”
The PI7 Smartcase will conveniently charge the device wirelessly but also “raises the bar by offering a unique wireless audio retransmission feature… which means you can continue to use your PI7s even when on a plane… just connect your case directly to an audio source such as an in-flight entertainment system and it will retransmit sound directly to your earbuds.”
The PI5 is no slouch either, offering similar audio performance and long hours of battery life.
“Alongside the exceptional audio performance and call quality, the PI5 offers over 24 hours of battery life, ensuring you stay connected throughout the day. This is accompanied by advanced Active Noise Cancellation, allowing you to easily adapt to your listening environment, whether you’re working from home or on a busy street, and a fast-charging case that provides a boost of up to two hours of battery life from just a 15-minute charge.”
Design-wise, “both models embody the Bowers & Wilkins bold design to stand out from the crowd, with accents of colour to highlight the beautifully precise detailing.”
The PI7 and PI5 can be configured via the Bowers & Wilkins companion App and feature “a simple one-button user interface, coupled with voice assistant support via either Siri or Google Assistant… multiple source devices can be wirelessly paired to either model, allowing the user to easily and conveniently reconnect to each source as and when needed.”
Both models, available in white or charcoal finish, are in stores and priced at US$399/€399/£349 for the PI7 and $249/€249/£199 for the PI5.
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