Bowers & Wilkins PI4 vs Sony MDR-1ABT – Which One Should You Buy? (2026)

A measured feel. Fits like no other. Donâ€™t miss a thing. Adaptive Noise Cancelling. World-first fully active 2-way wireless earbuds. This is Bowers & Wilkins Dual Driver technology. No matter what youâ€™re listening to, or watching, or playing, hear what you were meant to hear. If you stay out longer than expected and need a little more from your PI4 a 15 minute quick charge will carry your adventure for another two hours. Soft silicone and rubber together make the PI4 feel specifically designed for how and where you listen. 12-hour battery life allows you to go from night to day without missing a beat. If thatâ€™s not enough, a 15-minute quick charge gets three hours of immediate playback. Customised 14mm drivers pack full sound in a small space. Designed by the same team behind our 800 Diamond Series speakers used in Abbey Road Studios, the drivers ensure you stay immersed in music wherever you go.

- Cord - Single-sided (detachable) - Diaphragm - Aluminium-coated Liquid Crystal Polymer - Plug - Gold-plated L-shaped Stereo Mini - S-Master digital amplifier and DSEE take you closer to the original studio recording - Touch sensor for simple, convenient control - Highest quality Bluetoothâ„¢ streaming with LDAC Microphone - Unit/Type - Electret Condenser Microphone - Directivity - Omni directional Microphone - Frequency Range - 100Hz-4,000Hz Additional Bluetooth Features - Frequency Band - 2.4GHz band - Near Field Communication (NFC) - Yes

Key Differences

From a usability standpoint, both models provide a reliable and premium headphone experience. The driver size differs between the two (40 mm Dyna vs 14.2 mm), which can influence sound depth, bass response, and overall audio clarity. If you're comparing Sony MDR-1ABT and Bowers & Wilkins PI4, both models offer a strong combination of sound performance, comfort, and modern wireless features. Battery life varies between the two (30 Hrs vs 12 Hours), which affects how long you can use them on a single charge. Sony MDR-1ABT and Bowers & Wilkins PI4 offer different noise cancellation capabilities (NA vs Adaptive), which can impact how effectively they block external noise. Impedance levels vary (24Î© (1kHz)-when using the headphone cable vs 32 ohm), which can affect compatibility and audio output when used with different devices. There is a noticeable difference in weight (Approx. 300 g vs 40 gm), which may affect comfort during extended use. The frequency response differs (4 Hz - 100,000Hz vs 10 Hz - 30000 kHz), which can influence how well the headphones reproduce lows, mids, and highs. Sony MDR-1ABT uses Bluetooth Bluetooth Power Clas while Bowers & Wilkins PI4 supports Bluetooth 5.0, which can impact connectivity stability and efficiency.

Verdict: Both models are competitive, and your decision should be based on your usage needs and preferred features.

Top Differences

Battery Life: 30 Hrs vs 12 Hours
Noise Cancelling: NA vs Adaptive
Driver Size: 40 mm Dyna vs 14.2 mm
Bluetooth: Bluetooth Power Clas vs 5.0
Weight: Approx. 300 g vs 40 gm

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Key Differences

Top Differences