Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 review: Awesome sound, Average ANC (And That’s OK!)

It’s All About That Bass…

Ah, Bowers & Wilkins (or B&W as they’re known to their friends). The name is nothing short of legendary in the world of headphone design, and this latest offering shows why.

The Pi7 S2 is a truly striking set of cans. The color scheme is your classic black with silver metal grilles and rose gold accents. It looks like something you’d wear to the office, but could just as easily take out on the town. Gotta love that flexibility.

Most importantly, though, the sound of these headphones is simply amazing. The bass is punchy and defined, the mids sound warm and inviting, and the highs come through crisp and clear. Plus, the level of detail offered by B&W’s patented drive units is unparalleled.

Caught Between A Rock And ANC

Unfortunately, where things get a bit fuzzy is with the noise cancellation (ANC). It’s serviceable, but definitely isn’t the best that the industry has to offer. It doesn’t compare to flagship offerings from the likes of Sony or Bose.

But, luckily, you can still enjoy a good listening experience with these headphones, noise cancellation or not. Just make sure you’re in a relatively quiet environment and you’ll be just fine.

Final Verdict

At the end of the day, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 is an exquisite set of headphones with some truly stunning sound. Is it hindered a bit by its average ANC? Sure, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed in quieter environments.

In short, if you’re looking for a great set of headphones with top-notch sound and only accept the best in ANC, then you’ll probably want to look elsewhere. But if you’re after a great-sounding listening experience with a touch of class and don’t mind forgoing ANC, then the Pi7 S2 might be just the cans for you.