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Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 Review | 93 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£260
  • Form factor: on-ear
  • Connectivity: wired
  • Battery life: N/A hours
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.1

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.

Score components:

80.0%

5.1

Technical Score

20.0%

?

User score

Good
5.1

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

5.1

Sound

20.0%

2.7

Features

10.0%

7.4

Design

8.0%

4.4

Connectivity

6.0%

8.6

Battery

4.0%

7.6

Calls & Controls

Good
?

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.

Score components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 3.2
    Gaming

    Score components:

    35.0%

    0.0

    Audio latency

    25.0%

    0.0

    Low-latency game mode

    20.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    12.0%

    10

    Noise-canceling microphone

    8.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

  • 1.3
    Travel

    Score components:

    28.0%

    1.0

    Active noise cancellation (ANC)

    24.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    18.0%

    5.7

    Weight

    16.0%

    0.0

    Multipoint support

    14.0%

    0.0

    Ambient sound mode

  • 5.2
    Calls

    Score components:

    28.0%

    10

    Noise-canceling microphone

    24.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    18.0%

    0.0

    Multipoint support

    16.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    14.0%

    0.0

    Companion app

  • 3.8
    Workout

    Score components:

    28.0%

    5.7

    Weight

    24.0%

    1.0

    Water resistance

    20.0%

    4.0

    IP rating

    16.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    12.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £260

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 is a luxury on-ear, closed-back headphone featuring 40mm dynamic drivers with a frequency response of 10Hz to 20kHz, an impedance of 22 ohms, and a sensitivity of 108dB/V. Its premium construction includes real sheepskin leather ear pads that are magnetically attached and a lightweight aluminum frame weighing approximately 195g. Main characteristics include a detailed and punchy sound signature with deep bass and clear mid-ranges, along with a foldable-flat design and dual detachable 1.2m cables (one with an iOS-compatible inline remote). Pros include its exquisite build quality, stylish aesthetic, and swappable ear pads, though cons involve potentially high clamping force that may cause discomfort during long sessions, average passive noise isolation, and limited remote functionality for non-Apple devices.

Technical Specifications of Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

?

Sound

20.0%

?

Features

10.0%

?

Design

8.0%

?

Connectivity

6.0%

?

Battery

4.0%

?

Calls & Controls

5.1
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has a technical score of 5.09 points, which is higher than that of 55.8% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.

Score components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
1.0
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has a popularity of 1 points, which is lower than 72.7% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

5.1

Overall score

40.0%

9.2

Price

6.3
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.3 points, which is lower than 70.8% of products in this category.
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology
When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

no
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 does not support active noise cancellation. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used
When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic
Driver size
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

40 mm
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.2% of headphones and equal to 53.6% of headphones.
Number of drivers
What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup
When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

1
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 uses 1 drivers, equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

10 Hz
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 reaches a lowest frequency of 10 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 67.3% of headphones and equal to 12.5% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 supports a noise-canceling microphone. 54.5% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.
When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 is headset-ready, 84.7% is not. 15.3% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

1
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has 1 microphones, more microphones than 25.9% of headphones and equal to 52.2% of headphones.
Boom microphone
What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

no
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 does not include a boom microphone. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone
When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

?
Show more
Connectivity
What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)
When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

wired
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 supports wired connectivity, equal to 52.6% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported
When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device
When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A
Audio latency
What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode
When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A
Multipoint support
What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices
When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Show more
Ambient sound mode
What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness
When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
EQ support
What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer
When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 does not support EQ customization. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates
When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Adjustable ANC levels
What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels
When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A
Voice assistant support
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

no
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
What it is: Playback time on a single charge
When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A
Battery life with ANC
What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled
When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A
Charging time
What it is: Time required for a full battery charge
When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

?
Quick charge
What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period
When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 supports quick charge. 31% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery
When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A
Show more
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Bowers & Wilkins
Form factor
What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)
When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

on-ear
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

195 g
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 weighs 195 g, lighter than 57.5% of headphones and equal to 0.8% of headphones.
Acoustic design
What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)
When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back
Clamp force
What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

2.5
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has a clamp force of 2.5, lower clamp force than 89% of headphones and equal to 3.9% of headphones.
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Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 vs the average headphone

  • Clear call microphone
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
    What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
    When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
    When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <=10 Hz

    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • In-line controls
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
    What it is: Controls available on in-line remote of wired cable
    When it matters: When your wired setup depends on cable-mounted buttons or call controls.

    Importance: LOW

    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 1.8 lower clamp force
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has a lower clamp force than the average headphone (2.5 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
    When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has a lower clamp force than the average headphone (2.5 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.2.5 vs 4.3
  • Wind noise reduction
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
    What it is: Reduces wind interference for clearer outdoor calls
    When it matters: When you take calls outdoors while walking, cycling, or commuting.

    Importance: LOW

    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
  • Quick mic mute
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 includes a quick mic mute, the average headphone does not. 33.5% of headphones support a mute function.
    What it is: Ability to mute microphone during calls
    When it matters: When you need to silence the mic quickly during meetings or multiplayer games.

    Importance: LOW

    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 includes a quick mic mute, the average headphone does not. 33.5% of headphones support a mute function.
  • Play while charging
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 can play while charging, the average headphone cannot. 55.9% of headphones support play while charging.
    What it is: Can be used while charging
    When it matters: When you need to keep listening during long work or gaming sessions.

    Importance: LOW

    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 can play while charging, the average headphone cannot. 55.9% of headphones support play while charging.
  • 10.6% lower weight
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 is lighter than the average headphone (195 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    What it is: Total weight of the headphones
    When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <150 g

    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 is lighter than the average headphone (195 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.195 g vs 218 g
  • 1.8 lower clamp force
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has a lower clamp force than the average headphone (2.5 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
  • 10.6% lower weight
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 is lighter than the average headphone (195 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
  • Play while charging
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 can play while charging, the average headphone cannot. 55.9% of headphones support play while charging.
  • Clear call microphone
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • In-line controls
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Wind noise reduction
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
  • Quick mic mute
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 includes a quick mic mute, the average headphone does not. 33.5% of headphones support a mute function.

Total
Design
Sound
Battery
Calls & Controls
  • 2.53 dB looser channel balance
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has a higher channel balance tolerance than the average headphone (3 dB vs 0.47 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.47 dB.
  • No voice assistant support
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • No voice assistant support
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
    What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
    When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

    Importance: LOW

    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 4.65x less popular
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 is less popular than the average headphone (1.00 vs 4.646).
    What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 is less popular than the average headphone (1.00 vs 4.646).1 vs 4.65
  • 2.89x more expensive
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 is more expensive than the average headphone (£260 vs £90).
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 is more expensive than the average headphone (£260 vs £90).£260 vs £90
  • 2.53 dB looser channel balance
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has a higher channel balance tolerance than the average headphone (3 dB vs 0.47 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.47 dB.
    What it is: Tolerance between left and right channel volume balance
    When it matters: When stereo precision and left-right consistency matter to you.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: <=0.5 dB

    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has a higher channel balance tolerance than the average headphone (3 dB vs 0.47 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.47 dB.3 dB vs 0.47 dB
  • 6.7% worse value for money
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.31 vs 6.736).
    What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
    When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
    Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.31 vs 6.736).6.31 vs 6.74
Total
Overall
Sound
Features

Graphic comparison of Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2 and

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2?

  • Premium build quality featuring authentic leather and solid metal construction
  • Aesthetically pleasing, elegant, and timeless retro-modern design
  • Significantly improved, clear, and rich sound signature compared to the original P5
  • Deep, punchy, and well-controlled bass performance
  • Articulate midrange and smooth, non-fatiguing vocal reproduction
  • Lightweight and compact design that folds flat for easier travel portability
  • Detachable cable mechanism with an included Apple-compatible inline remote/mic

What customers dislike about Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2?

  • High premium price point makes them expensive for on-ear headphones
  • Strong initial clamping force can cause ear discomfort during long listening sessions
  • Suboptimal passive noise isolation, making them less ideal for loud environments
  • Uncomfortable and tight fit specifically for users who wear glasses
  • Relaxed treble response that lacks ultimate sparkle, crispness, or high-end brilliance
  • Narrower or more average soundstage compared to larger over-ear models
  • Included straight mini-plug design is preferred by some to be a 90-degree plug

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