The new Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 in-ear monitors offers the best audio performance in its class, with TWS transmission coupled to a single 9.2mm bespoke drive unit in each earbud. Pi5 S2 also offers seamless access to user-selectable noise cancellation plus an ambient pass-through mode, and it features twin built-in microphones per earbud for high-quality phone calls.
Pi5 S2 continues to offer premium design and materials plus upgrades to connectivity, extended earbud battery life, and a doubled Bluetooth range to up to 25m when compared to the first-generation models. A five-hour listening time is on offer before a recharge is required, with a quick charge function delivering an additional two hours’ listening time from just a 15-minute charge. The charging case provides an additional 19 hours of battery life.
Seamless user experience from the Bowers & Wilkins Music App
As with all new Bowers & Wilkins headphones, Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 is fully integrated with the Bowers & Wilkins Music App. Offering a seamless user experience, complete with set-up, configuration of noise cancellation modes, and wear sensor adjustment, the Music App also supports high-quality streaming capability direct from your mobile device to your earbuds via services such as Qobuz, TIDAL and Deezer.
The new Pi5 S2 Sage Green in-ear True Wireless headphones are available now exclusively from bowerswilkins.com, priced at $299 USD.
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi5 S2 is also available in Cloud Grey, Storm Grey and Spring Lilac.
How Bowers & Wilkins Got Into the Headphone Business
Bowers & Wilkins, long regarded as a premium loudspeaker manufacturer, entered the headphone market in the early 2010s, responding to a growing demand for high-fidelity sound in portable and wireless formats. While the brand had built its reputation through high-performance home and studio speakers—used in environments ranging from Abbey Road Studios to high-end home listening rooms—it recognized a shifting market. As mobile listening became more dominant, the company saw an opportunity to bring its acoustic engineering capabilities to headphones.
The brand’s first major headphone release was the P5, launched in 2010. This on-ear model was designed to combine sound quality with industrial design that reflected Bowers & Wilkins’ heritage. With a focus on premium materials like leather, brushed aluminum, and magnets for ear pad removal, the P5 was aimed at consumers who wanted style and sound quality without adopting the plastic-heavy aesthetic of many consumer headphones. The tuning of the P5 focused on natural tonal balance and clarity, a hallmark of the brand’s speaker products.
Following the P5, Bowers & Wilkins expanded its offerings to include the P3 (a smaller on-ear design) and the P7, which offered an over-ear fit with a larger acoustic chamber for improved bass and spatial reproduction. These early models were wired and targeted more traditional audiophiles. However, as Bluetooth technology improved and consumer demand for wireless audio increased, the company began to shift its focus accordingly.
The company introduced its first wireless noise-canceling headphone, the PX, in 2017. The PX included Bluetooth connectivity, active noise cancellation (ANC), and a more modern DSP platform. It also featured proximity sensors for automatic pause/resume functionality, long battery life, and a metal-and-leather design. The product marked a clear evolution in Bowers & Wilkins’ headphone approach—one that blended modern technology with the company’s tuning expertise.
The PX series continued to evolve, leading to the release of the PX7, which added support for aptX Adaptive and improved ANC. In 2022, the PX7 S2 was released with redesigned 40mm drivers, revised acoustic tuning, and a slimmer, more comfortable fit. That model was followed by the PX7 S2e, which refined the DSP algorithms and driver tuning even further. Alongside it, Bowers & Wilkins launched the PX8, a flagship headphone designed to offer a more luxurious build and subtle tuning improvements. The PX8 used upgraded driver materials and higher-end finishing, including cast aluminum arms and Nappa leather ear pads.
In addition to over-ear headphones, Bowers & Wilkins has also developed a line of true wireless earbuds. The Pi5 and Pi7 were introduced in 2021, designed to compete in the premium IEM market. The Pi7, in particular, stood out with dual hybrid drivers in each earbud and 24-bit audio over Bluetooth using aptX Adaptive. The charging case for the Pi7 also offered wireless retransmission, allowing users to connect the case via USB-C or analog cable to an external source and stream that audio wirelessly to the earbuds—a feature not widely found elsewhere. In 2023, the company released updated models—the Pi5 S2 and Pi7 S2—which improved connectivity, battery life, and Bluetooth range.
Bowers & Wilkins has also pursued special edition headphones, with a focus on design collaborations. One of the most visible has been with McLaren Automotive, the luxury car manufacturer. This partnership extends across both consumer headphones and in-car audio systems for select McLaren vehicles. The PX8 McLaren Edition offers identical internals to the standard PX8 but with aesthetic updates drawn from McLaren’s color palette and branding elements, such as Papaya Orange accents and custom grilles. These collaborations are aimed at brand loyalists and collectors looking for limited-production models.
Throughout its headphone development, Bowers & Wilkins has continued to emphasize consistency in sound signature across its products. Each headphone and IEM model is tuned by the same engineering team responsible for the company’s loudspeakers. The goal is to maintain natural midrange, clean treble extension, and controlled bass—not to compete on sheer loudness or heavy coloration. This tuning philosophy has helped differentiate Bowers & Wilkins headphones in a crowded market often dominated by DSP-heavy consumer brands.
The company’s wireless products are managed through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App, which supports firmware updates, EQ settings, ANC adjustments, and streaming integration for its wireless speakers as well. The headphone lineup continues to evolve as Bluetooth codecs, battery efficiency, and DSP capabilities improve. While the product range remains relatively small compared to mass-market headphone brands, Bowers & Wilkins has positioned itself as a premium option for listeners seeking refined sound and build quality in a portable format.
What began as an experiment with portable audio has now become a permanent category for the company. With over-ear and in-ear offerings, limited editions, and regular updates, Bowers & Wilkins’ headphone business continues to expand while staying closely aligned with the brand’s long-standing values in acoustic design and product craftsmanship.
