Bowers & Wilkins has announced the Pi5 and Pi7 Series 2 earphones. The new S2 versions are available today (January 25) and replace the originals with improved battery life and noise-canceling performance and introduce a wider range of color options.

Unlike the UK audio company's updated PX7 S2, which remained at the same price as the original version, the Pi5 S2 has been raised to $299 (£249 / A$450) - the original model was released in April 2021 for $249. This is a significant price increase for an entry-level earphone, making the Pi5 S2 more expensive than the second-generation AirProds Pro and the same price as the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 released last year.

The updated flagship earbud Pi7 S2 retains the same $399 (£349/ A$700) price as the original.

According to Bowers & Wilkins, both the Pi7 S2 and Pi5 S2 feature upgraded wireless connectivity with a redesigned antenna design that improves Bluetooth reach to over 80 feet (about 25 meters). They are fully compatible with the new Bowers & Wilkins Music App, which provides access to setup and settings, noise cancellation modes, wear sensor adjustments, and more.

Like the original, the Pi5 supports the standard aptX codec over Bluetooth, while the Pi7 offers aptX Adaptive for higher audio processing from services like Qobuz, Tidal, and Apple Music. [This is an improvement from the Pi5's 4 hours and the Pi7's 4.5 hours. Quick Charge is said to provide an additional 2 hours on a 15-minute charge, and the charging case provides 16 hours for the Pi7 S2 and 19 hours for the Pi5 S2.

When comparing the original Pi7 and Pi5 earbuds, we liked the striking appearance and excellent build quality, but noticed that the design stuck out from the ear. The images and press releases show a very similar design, which may work against the latest version given that smaller and more comfortable designs are emerging from rivals.

Retaining the original IP54 dust and water resistance, color options for the Pi5 S2 are Cloud Gray, Storm Gray, Spring Lilac, and Sage Green (available in spring); color options for the Pi7 S2 are Satin Black, Canvas White, and the very attractive midnight blue (pictured above).

Stay tuned for our upcoming review to see how effective the S2 version's adaptive noise cancellation is compared to the original earphones. You can also bookmark our Best Wireless Earphones page to check out our favorite earbuds available for purchase right now.