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Which one has more bass?
The Pi7 S2 is the bassier-sounding earbud in terms of perceived quantity. Its warm tuning gives kick drums, synths and sub-bass more physical weight. The AirPods Pro 2 is closer to a balanced presentation: bass remains present and clean, but it is less likely to dominate the mix.
That does not make the Pi7 S2 universally “better.” More bass can make hip-hop, dance, pop, rock and cinematic tracks more exciting, while the AirPods Pro 2’s restraint can preserve vocal clarity and a more even tonal balance. The independent comparison by RTINGS describes the Pi7 S2 as warm and the AirPods Pro 2 as more balanced.
Bass quantity
Winner: Pi7 S2. Expect a fuller, more forward low end when both earbuds have a proper seal and are compared at the same volume.
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- AN UPGRADE FOR AUDIO ENTHUSIASTS - Continuing the success of Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 True Wireless Headphones, Pi7 S2 offers enhanced improvements in performance, battery life, user experience, and color options. Specific uses for product: Music
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO IN A PREMIUM DESIGN - Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 wireless bluetooth earbuds feature 9.2mm dual hybrid drive units with individual amplifiers and advanced DSP, producing incredible audio so your music and phone calls sound pristine
- BEST-IN-CLASS TECHNOLOGY – Driven by a 24-bit connection with Qualcomm aptX Adaptive Technology and a revised antenna design, these Bluetooth headphones provide improved, stable connectivity up to 25m and deliver hi-resolution audio
- ADVANCED NOISE CANCELLING EARBUDS - With active cancellation, these buds adjust level of cancellation according to the environment at a button touch; these true wireless noise cancelling earbuds feature 3 call clarity enhancing microphones
- DIRECT MUSIC STREAMING - With the iOS/Android compatible Bowers and Wilkins Music App, you can stream audio to midnight blue wireless headphones from Deezer, NTS Radio, Qobuz, SoundCloud, TIDAL, and TuneIn; just search song, artist, or album to see options
Bass control and integration
Winner for neutrality: AirPods Pro 2. Its bass is less colored and generally sits more naturally beneath vocals and guitars. Listeners who dislike a warm or emphasized signature may find it cleaner.
Bass detail
The Pi7 S2 uses a more ambitious two-way driver arrangement, but that specification alone does not prove superior detail. Fit, DSP, codec negotiation, recording quality and tuning all affect what you hear.
Why the Pi7 S2 sounds more substantial
Bowers & Wilkins specifies separate dynamic and balanced-armature drivers, high-performance DSP and adaptive ANC. It also supports aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Classic, AAC and SBC. These are design and compatibility advantages, not guarantees of better sound in every system. Full specifications are listed on the Bowers & Wilkins product page.
The Pi7 S2’s case can retransmit audio through USB-C or 3.5 mm. Connect it to an airplane entertainment system, television or computer, and the case sends that audio to the earbuds—an unusual advantage for travel and sources that do not pair easily with Bluetooth earbuds.
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- TRUE WIRELESS EARPHONES - Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds feature a true 24-bit connection and aptX Adaptive for high-res audio that adjusts dynamically for optimal performance while listening to music, watching movies, or gaming
- DISTORTION-FREE AUDIO - With 12mm bio-cellulose drive units adapted from our Px7 S2e, the Pi6 bluetooth wireless earbuds reduce distortion and improve high-frequency detail. Enjoy lifelike clarity and precision sound, closer to original recording
- ADVANCED NOISE-CANCELING EARBUDS – Perfect for commuting, these wireless sports earbuds with bespoke active noise cancellation feature three call-clarity microphones and adjust the cancellation level automatically to match your environment
- ERGONOMIC DESIGN WITH SINGLE-BUTTON CONTROL - With single-button control, these bluetooth noise cancelling earbuds support multiple functions. The design combines premium material and ergonomic form, ensuring comfort and secure fit for extended use
- DIRECT MUSIC STREAMING - With the iOS/Android compatible Bowers and Wilkins Music App you can stream from TIDAL, Pandora, Qobuz, Deezer, SoundCloud, plus more; search any song, artist, or album then find all options for earbuds wireless bluetooth
Why the AirPods Pro 2 can sound cleaner
Apple’s H2-powered AirPods Pro 2 combine adaptive noise control, Transparency mode, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and Conversation Awareness. The result is a less hardware-spec-driven experience: Apple’s processing and integration prioritize consistency, intelligibility and convenience rather than a deliberately warm signature.
Apple lists up to six hours of listening on one charge with ANC enabled and up to 30 hours with the case. Technical and compatibility details are available from Apple’s specifications page.
Fit and ANC can change your bass verdict
In-ear bass depends on an airtight seal. The wrong tip can remove sub-bass from either model, making it sound thin or overly bright. A secure seal also improves ANC, which can make bass seem stronger by removing low-frequency environmental masking.
- Try every supplied tip and check that each earbud remains stable when you walk or turn your head.
- Use the same ANC mode on both products when comparing them.
- Level-match volume; the louder pair will often seem bassier.
- Do not assume a heavy tuning compensates for an unstable fit.
RTINGS rates the AirPods Pro 2 as more comfortable overall, although ear shape can reverse that result. The Pi7 S2’s earbuds are IP54-rated for dust and water resistance; this is not waterproofing or a swimming rating.
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- REFERENCE-QUALITY SOUND FROM CARBON DRIVERS — Pi8 TrueWireless earbuds are built around 12mm carbon cone drive units adapted directly from the acclaimed Px8 headphones, delivering lifelike clarity, high-frequency detail, and the precision that defines Bowers & Wilkins audio. This is sound the way it was meant to be heard
- TRUE 24-BIT LOSSLESS AUDIO, WIRELESS — Pi8 delivers high-resolution audio via Qualcomm aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive, dynamically adjusting for optimal performance and a reliable connection across any source or device
- IMMERSIVE LISTENING, WHEREVER YOU ARE — Bespoke adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) automatically adjusts to your environment so your music stays front and center, whether you're traveling or staying home. Three built-in mics also support clear calls when you need them
- SEAMLESSLY CONNECTED ACROSS YOUR DEVICES — Pi8 pairs to two devices simultaneously for effortless switching between your phone, laptop, TV, or gaming setup, so your music, movies, and audio follow you without interruption
- STREAM FROM YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC SERVICES — With the iOS and Android compatible Bowers & Wilkins Music app, stream directly from TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer, Pandora, SoundCloud, and more. Search by song, artist, or album across all available platforms in one place
ANC, transparency and calls
The AirPods Pro 2 has the broader smart-feature experience. Adaptive Audio balances noise control and awareness, Conversation Awareness lowers media volume when you speak, and iOS provides integrated controls, automatic switching and Find My. RTINGS gives it the overall edge for noise isolation and active features.
The Pi7 S2 offers adaptive ANC and ambient listening, but its control experience is less comprehensive. The available evidence does not establish a universal microphone winner, so choose based on your own priorities for outdoor wind, office calls and transit conversations rather than assuming either model always wins.
Codecs and device compatibility
| Use case | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone, iPad or Mac | AirPods Pro 2 | Automatic switching, Find My, Spatial Audio and Apple controls are tightly integrated. |
| Android or mixed platforms | Pi7 S2 | aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC provide broader codec flexibility. |
| Airplanes, TVs and wired sources | Pi7 S2 | The charging case accepts USB-C and 3.5 mm audio and retransmits it wirelessly. |
| Apple hearing features | AirPods Pro 2 | Hearing Test, Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection are available where supported, subject to region, device and software requirements. |
aptX support matters only when the source device and connection actually negotiate it. It is not a promise of generic Bluetooth lossless audio, and no codec can turn a poor recording into a high-resolution one. AirPods can work as Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices, but Apple says functionality is limited; see Apple’s compatibility guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Battery, charging and durability
| Specification | Pi7 S2 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Earbud playback | Up to 5 hours with ANC off | Up to 6 hours with ANC enabled |
| Total with case | Up to 21 hours, based on Bowers & Wilkins’ 5-hour plus 16-hour figures | Up to 30 hours with ANC enabled |
| Fast charge | 15 minutes provides up to 2 hours | Apple specifies charging performance by test and model; figures are not directly equivalent here |
| Wireless charging | Yes | MagSafe, Qi and Apple Watch charger support on the USB-C case |
These are manufacturer-rated maximums, not guaranteed real-world results. Apple lists four silicone tip sizes for AirPods Pro 2. The Pi7 S2 and its case are an older design, so battery condition depends heavily on storage age and seller history.
Rank #4
- REFERENCE-QUALITY SOUND FROM CARBON DRIVERS — Pi8 TrueWireless earbuds are built around 12mm carbon cone drive units adapted directly from the acclaimed Px8 headphones, delivering lifelike clarity, high-frequency detail, and the precision that defines Bowers & Wilkins audio. This is sound the way it was meant to be heard
- TRUE 24-BIT LOSSLESS AUDIO, WIRELESS — Pi8 delivers high-resolution audio via Qualcomm aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive, dynamically adjusting for optimal performance and a reliable connection across any source or device
- IMMERSIVE LISTENING, WHEREVER YOU ARE — Bespoke adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) automatically adjusts to your environment so your music stays front and center, whether you're traveling or staying home. Three built-in mics also support clear calls when you need them
- SEAMLESSLY CONNECTED ACROSS YOUR DEVICES — Pi8 pairs to two devices simultaneously for effortless switching between your phone, laptop, TV, or gaming setup, so your music, movies, and audio follow you without interruption
- STREAM FROM YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC SERVICES — With the iOS and Android compatible Bowers & Wilkins Music app, stream directly from TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer, Pandora, SoundCloud, and more. Search by song, artist, or album across all available platforms in one place
What changes when buying in 2026?
Bowers & Wilkins labels the Pi7 S2 as an archived product at its official page. Availability, warranty coverage, firmware support and battery health can therefore vary by retailer. Used, refurbished and old-stock units are not interchangeable with new current-generation products.
Apple’s current Pro model is the AirPods Pro 3, listed at $249 in the United States. Apple claims up to eight hours of ANC listening, heart-rate sensing during workouts, Live Translation, hearing features and up to four times the ANC of the original AirPods Pro and AirPods 4 with ANC. Those are Apple claims, not independent comparative test results; see the current Apple listing. Do not treat Pro 3 sound, ANC or battery results as identical to Pro 2.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Pi7 S2 if:
- You want the most immediately forceful bass and a warmer music-first presentation.
- You listen mostly to hip-hop, electronic, dance, pop, rock or cinematic music.
- You use Android or multiple platforms and can benefit from aptX compatibility.
- You need the charging-case transmitter for flights, TVs or other non-Bluetooth sources.
- You can verify the seller, battery condition and warranty on archived stock.
Choose the AirPods Pro 2 if:
- You use an iPhone, iPad or Mac and value seamless switching and Find My.
- You prefer bass that stays integrated with vocals and instruments.
- You prioritize comfort, ANC, Transparency and longer rated battery life.
- You need Apple hearing-related features where they are supported.
Consider AirPods Pro 3 if:
You want a current Apple product rather than an archived model. Its feature set and claimed battery improvements make it the more relevant Apple purchase in 2026, but it should be evaluated as a separate product—not assumed to sound like AirPods Pro 2.
Final verdict
For “bass in your face,” buy the Pi7 S2 only if you can obtain a well-supported unit with a healthy battery and a secure fit. It provides the stronger sense of punch and low-end weight. The AirPods Pro 2 is the safer all-round choice for balanced sound, comfort, ANC and Apple integration, while AirPods Pro 3 is the current Apple alternative. More bass is a preference advantage, not proof of objectively better sound.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
