The Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 are well-designed, eye-catching, and compact headphones with a good audio reproduction. They have a sturdy and durable build quality. However, they're uncomfortably tight at times and don't block much ambient noise. They also sound a bit tinier than the Bowers & Wilkins P5 Wireless.
Our Verdict
The Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 are mediocre for mixed usage. They're well-designed and have a solid build. Their sound quality is above-average and caters well to most tracks. However, their poor noise isolation makes them not versatile enough for loud environments.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Stylish and compact design.
- Durable build quality.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Slightly uncomfortable and tight on-ear fit.
- Bass delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
The Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 are above-average on-ear headphones for neutral listening. They sound a little bit closed due to their small ear cup design, but they reproduce the bass, mids, and treble frequencies quite well. Their sound is a bit tinny, but they should still please most listeners with their better-than-average audio reproduction.
The Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 are decent for commutes. Their noise isolation is weak and can let the ambient noise of a noisy commute seep into your audio.
The Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 are decent for sports. They're compact and moderately stable enough for jogging and some light exercising. However, they're not the most comfortable, and the on-ear pads get a little steamy when you sweat a lot.
The Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 are average for office use. They won't leak enough to be audible except at higher volumes. However, they won't isolate you from the ambient noise of a lively office.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Oct 02, 2017: The microphone has been tested with our new methodology, as explained here
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Audio-Technica ATH-M60x are better sounding on-ears than the Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2. The Bowers & Wilkins have a much better build quality that not only feels more durable but also looks a lot more premium than the Audio Technica. The Bowers & Wilkins' design is also a bit more compact and easier to use with mobile devices since they come with an in-line remote. On the other hand, the Audio-Technica have a better-balanced sound and a more comfortable on-ear fit. They also come with three audio cables which make them a bit more suitable for a recording studio.
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