Does the hi-fi equipment we are testing justify shelling out a couple of thousands (or lakhs)? And how can we recommend a premium product when a perfectly capable alternative exists at a much lower price? These are the questions we ask ourselves every time we test a new product at What Hi-Fi?. And they are particularly pertinent when it comes to the Bowers & Wilkins’ Pi7 S2 premium wireless earbuds.
We reviewed the original B&W Pi7 two years ago and were impressed with their “wonderfully detailed and clear” sound. But connectivity issues, low battery life and ‘basic’ noise-cancelling left us wanting more, especially at the high asking price. Can the sequel deliver a more promising performance?
About that price. There’s no getting away from it: these buds are very expensive. In fact, they are one of the most expensive true wireless earbuds we have tested, costing more than our current premium Award-winner, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, and Apple’s flagship five-star AirPods Pro 2. We know there are similarly pricey (if not pricier) models out there from the likes of Bang & Olufsen and Master & Dynamic, but this still feels steep from a brand that is as close to mainstream as a hi-fi company can get.
At least the Pi7 S2 earbuds’ build and design still exude the same level of high quality befitting the high price tag. The elliptical design returns, with a metallic circular protrusion that houses the buds’ drivers, capacitive touch controls and antenna. The buds are a tad on the large side and do stick out of your ears in a chic Cyberman kind of way, but they look more sleek than bulky.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2023-Ausgabe von What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2023-Ausgabe von What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
The slim, not shady soundbar
Shaking up the category and its nomenclature, Sony is pulling no punches with the BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9.
New world charm
The Music System (Gen 2) doesn't mince words, does it? It does exactly what it says on the wrapper play music. Simple.
Singing the verse
One of the most hallowed Indian hi-fi brands, Sonodyne has been making speakers for virtually every kind of application for decades now.
Radio Ga Ga
FOR Build quality, retro design, natural sound, simple controls
Maximizing on Mini
FOR Bright panel, calibrated modes, great picture quality
Vertere Dark Sabre
Details matter in audio design.
INDOOR PLANTS IN FULL BOOM
These premium wireless speakers are designed for use in the home - where they will raise the roof
RAISING THE BAR
Elevate your home cinema sound with this trio of convenient soundbar packages
I SPENT 24 HOURS IMMERSED IN DOLBY ATMOS MUSIC - THESE ARE 8 KEY THINGS I LEARNED
What Hi-Fi? UK deputy editor Andy Madden gained some interesting insights from the world of immersive audio on a visit to a Dolby Atmos studio
TAKE TO THE FLOOR
From pumping dance music to grand orchestral heft, these pillars of strength will deliver in spades