Each new set of genuine wireless headphones seems to refine the experience with better ANC, improved sound quality, or longer battery life. But Bowers & Wilkins introduces a completely new feature to their PI7 wireless headphones. Using the charging case as a wireless adapter, the headphones can transmit audio from almost any device, even older ones without a Bluetooth connection.
It is a problem that affects anyone who has a pair of active wireless headphones that cancel out the noise. Unlike larger wireless headphones that include a security cable that allows them to physically connect to the headphone jack of an airplane’s in-flight entertainment system, wireless headphones can only be connected to one device. that supports Bluetooth. This means you have to skip the movie during the flight to get content that you will hopefully remember to download to your smartphone or tablet.
With Bowers & Wilkins ’new PI7 wireless headphones, you’ll be able to enjoy what’s possibly a more comfortable way to block the endless moan of an airplane’s engines, while enjoying an entertainment system with a seat back. The USB-C port on the bottom of the PI7’s wireless charging case also accepts a 3.5mm USB-C adapter cable, meaning it can be connected to almost any device that has a connector for to headphones and the sound is transmitted wirelessly to the headphones.
It is a very useful and innovative feature that is not only useful for frequent travelers. It means wireless headphones can be used with everything from handheld consoles like the Nintendo Switch, to cars that offer headphone jacks for passengers, to old MP3 players like the iPod classics. This functionality is already available via standalone Bluetooth transmitters that do essentially the same thing, but the PI7 means there’s one less device you need to remember to take it on a trip.
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The new Bowers & Wilkins also include “Dual Hybrid Drive” speakers in each headset for enhanced sound, adaptive active noise cancellation that takes advantage of six microphones on both outlets, Siri or Google Assistant support, and customization through an app for smartphones. Battery life is calculated at four hours of playback plus an additional 16 hours when the charging box is completed, for a total of 20 hours before finding a power supply again. The PI7 also offers fast charging: placing the headphones in the charging box for only 15 minutes provides two hours of playback, although it is not known what rate the transmission functionality of the charging box has on its own battery life.
PI7 True Wireless headphones are available starting today for $ 400, making them $ 100 more expensive than the excellent ones Master and dynamic MW08, and $ 150 more expensive than Apple’s AirPods Pro. Today Bowers & Wilkins have also launched a pair of more affordable wireless headphones called PI5 for $ 250 and while they offer slightly better battery life with up to 24 hours of playback when attached to the charging box , only feature four noise canceling microphones, and also sacrifice the useful Bluetooth broadcast function, which is easily the main selling point of the PI7.