Bowers & Wilkins’ have struck again, except this time, with Hi-Fi headphones. The B&W P5 Hi Fi headphones surpass many others in the same price range with their extreme comfort, quality materials, and of course, sound quality. Before I go any further, here are the specs:
Technical features: Closed back design
3.5mm/ 1/4″ jack adapter included
Fold Flat
Driver Type Dynamic
Neodynium Magnets
Price= $299.95 (Bowers and Wilkins)
| Drive units | 2x Ø40mm |
| Impedance | 26 ohms |
| Frequency range | 10Hz to 20kHz |
| Left/right tolerance | +/-1dB at 1kHz |
| Max. input power | 50mW |
| Distortion | @100dB I25<0.05% for 80-20kHz <0.2% for 20-20kHz |
| Sensitivity | 115dB/V at 1kHz |
| Inputs | 3.5mm stereo mini jack (on cable) |
| 2.5mm mini jack (on Headphone) | |
| Height | 180mm |
| Width | 150mm |
| Depth | 35mm folded flat, 60mm in service |
| Weight | 195g |
| Finish | Enclosure: Real Leather and metal |
Quality: B&W’s P5s scream quality from the box opening to the materials on them. B&W have not taken the easy way out, and to use painted plastic, yet they only use the best materials. For instance, the pads are made from New Zealand Sheep Leather. Let me repeat that, the pads are made from New Zealand sheep leather. The outsides are made of quality aluminum bearing the Bowers & Wilkins name. The headband on top is also made of sheep leather as well. The P5’s feel is overall, flat out incredible.
Design: Bowers and Wilkins do a great job making the P5s stand out from other competitors with the different kind of style. These cans are on ear, but B&W tilted the pads slightly so the headband will sit more with more comfort toward the front of the head instead of slipping off the back. The colors are a modern silver and black combination giving them a pleasant look. The pads are also magnetic so changing the audio cord is easier (The connection to headphones is secured under the pads) to change out.
Features: The P5s have a microphone and remote on the cord allowing one to use these as a mobile headset. This can be a very handy feature for those that want to have high quality sound headphones, as well as a hands free headset for the road. On the box it specifically reads, “Made for ipod” and “Works with iPhone”. As I was listening to my iPod Nano (2nd Gen) I was attempting to turn the volume up with the remote. After being frustrated with my iPod, I checked the box again. It read that the remote and mic are supported by iPhone 3GS, iPod Nano (4th and 5th generation), iPod Touch (2nd generation), iPod classic (120gb/160gb), and the 3rd Generation shuffle. I then tried out the P5s on my 2nd Gen iPod touch, and the remote worked great. I have heard that the remote and mic are compatible with all iPods, as well as iPhones that offer the features this remote/mic is designed to work with so there’s no need for doubt about if it is compatible with the new Apple iPods. Bowers and Wilkins also include another cord for compatibility with all other sources. These cans also fold flat for storage in the case.
The Case: Usually I will say a bit about the case because I believe it is important, for a high quality product to come with protection. Bowers and Wilkins uses an all black quilted type soft case for the P5s. This case is very soft, but not as sturdy as some of the harder cases (like the Quiet Comforts, or the Koss Mv1s). This means that the P5s can easily be slipped into a backpack or purse without taking up too much space, but it sacrifices a bit of protection.
Sound Quality of the B&W P5s is incredible. Rich sounding bass and clear cut treble give these headphones high marks on my sound quality charts. Considering that all B&W make are Hi definition speakers, putting them in headphones definitely worked out. They managed to fit the enormous amount of sound quality into a pair of luxury headphones. The P5s also have good sound isolation considering that they cover the ear openings. This truly makes it a “Concert for One”. Needless to say, I was extremely pleased while listening to these headphones.
Point-Scaled Grading
For reviewal of all products by The Real Mac Genius.com, a point-scale grading system is used to cover each individual aspect of the product. Said grades on varying scales are then weighed to determine a final score, which is then translated to an overall grade, as follows:
Style: 1-25 Given: 25
Price: 1-15 Given: 12
Quality materials: 1-15 Given: 15
Brand name: 1-10 Given: 9
Modern technologies: 1-15 Given: 15
Compatibility: 1-15 Given: 12
Ease of use: 1-5 Given: 5
OVERALL:93 /100 A-
The Bower and Wilkins P5 Hi Fi Mobile headphones prove to be worth more than the price tag that they are set at. Although the value for what comes in the box is great, the price tag is still a lot for the common consumer. I would recommend these for people who have the money to spend the P5s are worth every dime. Try them for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
