A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The AKG K361 headphones are significantly more affordable and are better suited for wired listening with a detachable cable, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 earbuds are more expensive, wireless, offer active noise cancelling, and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. If you prioritize sound quality and budget, AKG K361 may be the choice for you. However, if you need wireless convenience, better call quality, and active noise cancelling for travel or gym use, the Pi5 S2 earbuds could be worth the extra cost. Neither option supports low latency, so they may not be ideal for gaming or watching TV. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the AKG K361
- Good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.5
6.7
The AKG K361 is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
6.3
5.3
The AKG K361 is only fair for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.2
5.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and AKG K361 are both poor for phone calls, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
5.6
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and AKG K361 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.8
5.6
The AKG K361 is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the AKG K361 is only fair.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The AKG K361 does not have a battery. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$98
$189
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The AKG K361 has a price of $98 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 costs $189.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.9
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and AKG K361 both have very good build quality.
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How the AKG K361 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$98 | $189 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.75 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 19 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 219 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
AKG K361
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Dig into reviews and images
Medium
Alex Rowe | November 2019
"The K361 retains much of what makes the K371 such a winner, though it has a leaner sound, and the build changes made to trim the price down are immediately apparent. Still, it’s another excellent offering from AKG, and other companies in this fight should either be very worried or quickly designing updates to their old models."
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
Get a great deal on the AKG K361 or the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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