Bowers & Wilkins PI5 | Premium True Wireless ANC Earbuds Review

Today I put the Bowers & Wilkins PI5 under the microscope. These premium true wireless buds have a great sound as you would expect from one of the most prestigious British audio companies but the question is whether they can deliver a matching performance in all other areas?
Watch the video to find out more!
0:00 Intro
0:26 Design & Fit
2:32 Battery Life
3:02 Connection
4:21 Mic Quality
5:06 Controls & App
7:32 Active Noise Cancelling
9:23 Sound Quality
11:02 Conclusion
12:25 Outro
Disclosure: This video is not sponsored, I bought the Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless ANC earbuds with my own money for this review. But these following links are affiliate links which means that I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase with no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel.
You can buy the Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless earbuds:
🇺🇸 amzn.to/34nLGJo
🇬🇧 amzn.to/2TucPIx
🇩🇪 amzn.to/3hX2YFf
Bowers & Wilkins PI5 specifications:
www.bowerswilkins.com/eu-en/h...
Follow me on Instagram @andystechtone
Thanks for watching!

[@Der_Boratcho]

One of the best and honest reviews so far of the P15 I have watched on KZbin !!! Great job, thanks for that ....

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@bronson7873]

Excellent audio/video/review work. By far one of the best reviews I have ever seen in production values. Well done, sir.

[@AndysTechTone]

Thank you man, much appreciated 🙏

[@wotzefak-mazafak]

Best review on KZbin so far

[@erkanvural3621]

very honest and clear review thanks for sharing

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks 😊👍

[@oceaangold]

your reviews are the best on youtube so far. are there also headphones then can used for sport or are earbuds better?

[@AndysTechTone]

Thank you 😊 I'm a big advocate of true wireless buds especially for sports due to their low profile. I see loads of people running and doing exercise with over-ear headphones but I don't think that's a good idea. Maybe I'm wrong though...

[@dannyf7255]

Hope u can help me out! Im looking at the JBL live pro2 or the Bowers&Wilkins PI5. Wich one is better today 😬

[@alejandrorolon414]

Excelent review, just gained a subscriber

[@AndysTechTone]

Awesome, thank you! 🙂

[@wallybeep]

Well, András, another terrific review, and I agree. My home speaker system is B&W, and I really like all of them. (I also very much like KEF home speakers, as I seem to gravitate towards that British sound profile), but from your review here, I'll skip giving these a try. I'm still sorting out how I feel about direct "tap" control because with some buds I've tried since we've been chatting, perhaps because I've found this control placement, for me, can be prone to making inadvertent "tapping" errors (for example, when resting my head on a shoulder or a pillow). I like the convenience of that sort of control, but some have seemed too easily triggered given my use. Later today I'll go back and watch the rest of your reviews. One thing is sure: you are certainly exceptionally good at doing them. Best out there, IMO! I finally tried the apple pros yesterday on a 7 mile very fasf walk. Pretty good ANC, I thought, but I was surprised that I felt considerable ear pressure (but no "hiss") that grew slightly uncomfortable after a couple of hours. I'm am, though, curious about the next gen pros which I suspect might be comimg soon, so I'm likely to return these. I did try the Bose, too, recently, and I very much liked the ANC as expected, but, geeze, they are large. I returned those as well, which was unfortunate as I really had hoped they might be keepers because excellent ANC is important to me. Man, though, they're awfully big. Nice to see you today. Here, it is a three-day holiday weekend with exceptional weather for Washington this time of year, so should be a good one. I hope you enjoy yours, there, and thanks again! Rich.

[@AndysTechTone]

Thank you as always 👍 I agree with you on the Bose and the Airpods Pro, only hope the next ones will be smaller/better. I love my Kef Mu3 buds even though their ANC is mediocre and there is no smartphone app. But they are comfy, sound sweet and the battery life is good too. And usually that's all I need , so I'm easy to please. Or am I? 😎 Right now I'm sitting on the beach, listening to the B&W PI7. There is definitely some improvement over the PI5, but the price tag is a bit mental...more details in the review! 😉 Enjoy the weekend, chat soon

[@sam-515]

Maximum detail providing reviews in all of the videos on this channel..no comparison of your content .man. 👍

[@AndysTechTone]

Glad you think so 😊

[@ronniechristie5599]

Nice Review. I Think I’ll Stick to my Jabra elite 85T. Just Love Them . After Watching your Review on Them . I love that you can adjust all the settings and the EQ best ones I’ve ever had thanks again Ronnie from Toronto🍀👍🙏😋

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks Ronnie, I'm glad you're happy with your buds 👍

[@mor.r5450]

Love your explanation as it goes deep into any single features 👌 Would you mind giving your opinion about kHL Fusion true wireless, please?? Thanks

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks 👍 I don't know much about the khl fusion but I'll have a look

[@mor.r5450]

@@AndysTechTone much appreciated 🙏

[@Voidward]

I found the PI7 lacking in high end enough to return them. I can't imagine how the PI5 must sound if it's noticeably less present in the treble.

[@Keowabe]

Nice to see Salthill in the background ;) nice wideo.

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks Marcin 😎

[@inhoitreninhoi1445]

Hello! Currently I’m using the B&O E8 2.0, do you think there is a big difference between the E8 and the PI5? Should I considered the Gemini over the PI5? Thank you!

[@AndysTechTone]

I don't think it's worth switching from the E8 to the PI5. Haven't used the Gemini so I don't know about that...

[@wallybeep]

András, omg. I just nodded off in bed as I slept just OK last evening. . This is hilarious! I just had a dream that I was in a store and fumbling with about a dozen differnt types of earbuds in my hands, dropping them, losing them, and trying to get them all matched and back in cases and on the shelves. No, I wasn't trying to steal them, but somehow I wind up in a store bathroom with them all trying to sort through out AND was entirely missing the Pros, so I was slightly panicking. I was searching everywhere for them and couldn't find. Losing them caused me to wake up! Why couldn't I find them? When I woke up, they were in my damn ears and didn't know it as I was half awake. Your videos are causing me have some very weird dreams! Lol!!! Soumds nice there! Enjoy! I feel that I need to go back to my dream to match all the earbuds I was messing around with! Lord!

[@AndysTechTone]

You'd better not watch my videos before bedtime then! 😂 I love nodding off when listening to music. It always means I'm in a good place and fully relaxed...

[@rolins3279]

Hello! Just a question that has nothing to do with the current video. Can a codec be added per update if the built-in hardware supports this codec normally? For example earbuds that have the Qualcomm 3040 that supports ADAPTIVE APTX but are released without this codec can they get it by OTA? Similarly for the double connection, is it possible to add it by OTA? Thank you in advance🙏🏽

[@AndysTechTone]

I'm no engineer but I believe aptX adaptive is a matter of licensing so as long as the hardware supports it I reckon it can be activated through software update. But I hope someone more competent in the topic stops by and corrects me if I'm wrong 😳 Certain other features can be added too, touch controls and ANC for example but again, I'm not sure about multipoint use. If that's what you meant by double connection...

[@rolins3279]

@@AndysTechTone thank's 🙏🏽

[@rolins3279]

Good test as usual👍🏽 Another one who thinks that only the name matters🤦🏽‍♂️. Ps: I'm still waiting for the Earfun Air Pro test 😉.

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks Rolex, the Earfun Air Pro review is coming next week 😎

[@asrarul12]

Thanks for your review. I live in Bangladesh. I have ordered the Pi5 from the UK and waiting for them to reach. I didn't order the Pi7 because I won't need their added features. Sound Quality is the main reason why I went with B&W from prior experience. Thus I am willing to compromise features such as ANC; and battery power. Too powerful ANC outdoors could mean blocking out noise to such an extent you may not feel that somebody is coming to hit you. Battery life is OK- because I wouldn't wear them for hour after hour. So, a break from listening or to re-charge is acceptable ... Your review is detailed and honest. When making a decision, the listener can make a choice depending on the features covered. Waiting for the buds to come from the UK. Love from Bangladesh :)

[@AndysTechTone]

In this case I believe you'll love the PI5. Let me know whenever they arrive! 👍

[@asrarul12]

@@AndysTechTone Thanks. Will do

[@Vinzenz_piano]

good test! :)

[@AndysTechTone]

Thank you 👍

[@wallybeep]

Oh. I agree. The Pros are missing base. OK wITH ANC, but the sound stage is as you described.

[@TheDigitalcrack]

Thank you for saving me money...there is no way in hell I would ever give any company even a $50 for earphones that skip or pause

[@jstmo95]

Great review. I was considering getting these, but I think based on your review I will stick with my Sennheiser Momentum 2's.

[@AndysTechTone]

Yep, good thinking 😎

[@g19seattle38]

So glad you review a lot of these items for us. It seems like many of the high end brands rely on their name and disregard features and performance. There are literally $50 no name buds that are better.

[@AndysTechTone]

I'd argue with "cheap buds being better" but these ones are not five times better for sure

[@g19seattle38]

@@AndysTechTone Agreed, better is relative. But not considering price, I would pick the Earfun Free Pro's over these all day.

[@AndysTechTone]

@@g19seattle38 I see your point but that's why there are so many different options across a wide range of prices so everyone can find what suits their needs the best.

[@g19seattle38]

@@AndysTechTone True, such a subjective category. My absolute must characteristics could mean nothing to another. I appreciate your content and candor, you are one of the best at what you do.

[@AndysTechTone]

I just explained to someone else how much I love the Kef Mu3 for example. They didn't even bother developing an app for their $230 earbuds and their ANC is mediocre too, yet I love them because their sound is rich and sweet, they are comfortable and their battery life is good enough too. To me. We all look for different traits and features in a product regardless of price. But it better make you happy especially for $250 😎

[@kingmickey666]

Honest review. I bought them for E159, so that would be a decent quality for the price.

[@AndysTechTone]

That is a good price indeed 👍

[@capecape1277]

when I want to buy some earbuds, I always watch your videos. I have the Bose quite comfort, but I want to buy another one, which one do you recommend me between the following ones, please?: 1- Mater and dinamics Mw07 2- Bowers and wilkins PI5 3- Bose sounds sport free 7- Jabra 65t Considering they must have good bass and noise cancelling. I would appreciate your help, thanks.

[@AndysTechTone]

Both the PI5 and the M&D have great bass, between the two I'd pick the MW07

[@capecape1277]

@@AndysTechTone thanks a lot for fast answer.

[@sedricklawrence5836]

Thanks for another great review. I'm disappointed such an expensive brand would half step. But I watched Flossy Carter's review on the IP7 and he said that they are his new favorite earbud, so I guess B&W consider these the budget option. I expect for your review of the IP7 to be more of what you would expect out of a top of the line earbud. But is it true the price tag is $399? I could never justify spending that much on earbuds. Anyway thanks again my guy, looking forward to your next one.

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks Sedrick 👍 For $400 the PI7 better become my new favourites too. The jury is still out though... 😎

[@Voidward]

I disliked them. They had no subbass, the midbass was bloated, slow, and bled into the mids. The highs were really muddy, and volume level was disappointing, to the point where if you EQ with an external app, which raises volume in certain frequencies, it audibly distorts. Not acceptable for anywhere near this price point. The high quality output is a joke when you can feed these 24b/48k soundtracks that audibly distort at loud volumes. It's complete marketing because there's no way the sound performance would ever keep up to make the higher bitrate meaningful in any way. These are, IMO, an overpriced fashion brand. People who are looking for blinged out beats sounding status symbols would be happy with PI7s. If you've actually heard audiophile grade over-ears, these will be a severe disappointment on multiple levels.

[@carlosberistain3863]

Hey! Loved your rewiew! A found a deal in Amazon and i can get these buds for 165£ would you buy them? I hope you can read this and give me you opinion, best regards from Mexico!

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks Carlos 👍 Regarding your question, honestly, I don’t know. There are so many great buds for around the same money and I feel like the PI5 does not stand out at all. Not even at a discounted price.

[@carlosberistain3863]

@@AndysTechTone thanks a lot! Gonna watch some other reviews!

[@israelen]

These buds fall short to many cheaper alternatives you’ve previously reviewed in many aspects for sure. Great review as always though!

[@AndysTechTone]

They are a bit disappointing for sure...

[@anaymakan6989]

selling my b&o HX, as i find it hard to carry headphones everywhere I go and need the portability of earbuds. Looking at the bowers and wilkins pi5 £139 or wf-1000xm4 for £159. Ik every review is saying go with the sony because of the better anc and battery life but I'm personally leaning towards the b&w as I know they have the best in class sound quality.

[@AndysTechTone]

For that price the PI5 might be worth it especially if comfort is top priority for you as its one of the few weak points of the XM4 really

[@ventsislavstefanov4928]

I’m connected with my phone ,but I don’t hear the voice in my headphones…… Why is that?

[@wiingman127]

What about the PI7?

[@AndysTechTone]

Review is coming

[@virtualworlds4726]

Great Job - thanks. I enjoyed the review and I am glad I did not order the PI5.

[@AndysTechTone]

No worries, thanks for watching 👍

[@dennislam8102]

it's worthy to update to PI7?

[@AndysTechTone]

I don't think so. Unless you need the special features of the PI7 such as audio retransmitting

[@ruahhahn7553]

Case is okay. Bluetooth connection sucks badly. If it is fitted and turned around in ear perfectly and if u happen to cover one part of the bud, it starts to break up like if the connection is bad and trust me it happens quiet frequently. Control is super sensitive and it literally has 0 water proof at all. If u sweat a lil and if it happens to the control spot, it starts to mute, skip to next track on its own.

[@iliamohito]

Thank you, severely agree the cace feels cheep . Went to the shop to listen and have them, was sure i’d love them, but no. I own their biger brother PX, and build quality is exceptional as well as sound to me. However pi5 was just ok, despite i enjoyed the sound, i had no wow effect for its price. I tried them with an iphone and the volume was not enough for me, i listened 100% in a quite shop, so in metro it would be definitely not enough. By the way tried master dynamic 8, you made a video of recently, and that is a thing! Will wait for the pi7 come to my country to listen and compare, but i feed i”d go with MD.🔥🔥🔥

[@AndysTechTone]

You cannot go wrong with the M&D MW08. Just saying... 😎

[@davidinda5922]

Respect your opinion but... 1.- The case is plastic yes, but work with today's standards. 2.- Havent had problems with the connection so far (some people have, but I have had good experience). 3.- The controls. Its funny because a lot of people complain. about the lack of volume controls in the phones, but even Sony hasn't show like a real solution for a tactile control in such small form. In my case the controls are enough. 4.- EQ? Yep thats more like like a personal taste. I dont use it and most of the people only play with it but I prefer the BW curated sound. Well, I like em ! I invite people to check em out by themselves (I may be totally wrong ...or not).

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks David, that's why I always say that whatever I say in a video is my experience only. Your mileage might be totally different. But to put things into perspective. I've seen better quality cases with $80 earbuds. I've seen better controls on $100 earbuds. And I've also seen smartphone apps with more features for around half the price of the B&W buds. The market is very competitive and B&W are a bit late to the game. And yet they couldn't deliver anything special in my opinion. Maybe the PI7, I'm testing them right now...😎🎧🎶

[@davidinda5922]

@@AndysTechTone Thanks for the response man! My take away would be. Late? Yes they are ( and I reaaaally waited) but personally I think that some control shortcomings are surpassed by the sound firm that I think is very good. Will see how this line develops! Cheers.

[@AndysTechTone]

Absolutely 👍 And you are right, the sound is great, especially the bass which is one of the best I've heard in any tws earbuds

[@SOLENOID4]

Like 4 your presentation.....

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks 🙏 glad you liked it

[@owainvincent6473]

I got these for £150 new, I wouldn't pay full price

[@michaelvojkovic671]

Ur so good looking wowww