Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 review: Awesome sound, meh ANC

When Bowers & Wilkins launched their Pi7 S2 headphones, I think it’s safe to say all of us knew we were in for a treat. After seeing all the wonderful reviews, I had to get a pair for myself – and I wasn’t disappointed.

The sound quality is out of this world. I haven’t come across another pair of headphones that can produce such crisp, clear sound. The Pi7 S2 never fails to deliver; every song I’ve listened to in these headphones has been beaming with life.

What about the ANC?

On the other hand, the ANC (active noise cancellation) of the Pi7 S2 isn’t quite at the same level as the sound quality. To be honest, it’s just average. I’m pretty sure the B&W engineers put a lot of effort into creating this ANC, but it didn’t quite pan out.

While it does block out some of the background noise, I think it’s best to use these headphones for its sound quality, not for its ANC. Unless, of course, you’re like me and you use it for both!

Pros

• Excellent sound quality – The B&W Pi7 S2 delivers crystal clear audio.
• Comfortable – Not only are they lightweight (290 grams) they also come with soft earpads.
• Flexible – They can be used both wired or wirelessly.

Cons

• Average ANC – While Active Noise Cancellation is decent, it’s nothing special.
• Pricey – At $499, the B&W Pi7 S2 is a bit pricier than most of its competitors.

So, there you have it. The B&W Pi7 S2 headphones are an awesome choice for anyone looking for one of the best sounding pairs of headphones around. Just don’t expect amazing ANC; you’ll be disappointed.