Crutchfield - North America's electronics authority since 1974

1.888.955.6000
 
 
Free Shipping on Everything.  60-Day Money-Back Guarantee  |  Lifetime Tech Support
 

Bowers & Wilkins P5

Portable on-ear headphones with in-line remote and microphone

Zoom Bowers & Wilkins P5
Front
Video loading and will display in just a moment.
Photos
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Bowers & Wilkins P5 Bowers & Wilkins P5 Bowers & Wilkins P5 Bowers & Wilkins P5 Bowers & Wilkins P5 Bowers & Wilkins P5 Bowers & Wilkins P5 Bowers & Wilkins P5
 
Videos
 

Item# 749P5 offer details

By buying this product you'll earn up to 300 Rewards points.

When you sign up for a Crutchfield account, you’ll be enrolled in Crutchfield Rewards. You’ll earn one point for every dollar you spend on gear from us. You can turn your points into Rewards Cards that you can use toward future purchases. You can sign up for an account now, or after you complete your purchase (you’ll get credit for the points either way).

 
Bowers & Wilkins

Our take on the Bowers & Wilkins P5

For excellent sound and comfort, try out this luxury "ride"

Whether you're riding to work, traveling cross country, or just relaxing at home, the P5 Mobile Hi-Fi headphones from Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) will bring you closer to your favorite music. Nothing but pure, natural, detailed sound without any of the "amped up" boomy bass or sizzly treble you often hear with other headphones. That's because B&W, whose professional monitor speakers are found in some of the world's finest recording studios, designed the P5s to reproduce the sound of the original recording as accurately as possible.

Headphones, angled view

Folding design

Industrial art you'll want to wear

The P5s don't look like any other headphones, either. Functional yet refined, they're crafted from aluminum, polished stainless steel, and leather — you won't find any plastic on these babies. Their soft, sheepskin-padded earcups use memory foam to conform to the shape of your ears for hours of listening comfort. The noise-isolating, closed-back design keeps the outside world where it belongs while allowing just enough ambient sound in to keep you in touch with your surroundings. And because the noise reduction is passive, no batteries or active electronics are ever needed.


Headphones with iPod

Built-in controls for iPod® and iPhone®

A remote built into the headphone cable lets you conveniently control music playback without having to dig your iPod or iPhone out of your pocket. You can even take calls on your iPhone hands-free, thanks to the in-line microphone. (See "Details" below, for a list of compatible iPods and iPhones.) The removable headphone cord attaches to just one earcup, so you won't have to deal with tangles. And the earcups fold flat to fit nicely in the supplied storage case.

From the review Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones -- substance and style

"They were light enough for on-the-go listening with my iPod, and they did a fine job when I was ready for a serious listening session at home. Not everyone can afford a specialized set of headphones for every application (me neither). The Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones may be made for the iPod and iPhone, but I think they're a good all-purpose choice for whatever type of listening you do — and you'll look incredibly cool wearing them, too."

— Ralph, Crutchfield Blog Editor and A/V Writer

Highlights:

  • portable on-ear headphones with closed back, noise isolating design
  • in-line remote to control playback and adjust volume on iPod and iPhone*
  • built-in microphone on remote for receiving calls on an iPhone
  • soft, sheepskin leather covered earpads and headband for exceptional comfort and durability
  • large 40mm Mylar® diaphragms and ultra-linear neodymium magnets for rich, detailed sound
  • frequency response: 10-20,000 Hz
  • impedance: 26 ohms
  • sensitivity: 115 dB at 1kHz
  • detachable straight cord with standard stereo mini plugs (3.5mm on player end, 2.5mm on headphone)
  • detachable mic/remote control cord with stereo mini plugs (3.5mm on player end, 2.5mm on headphone) for use with select iPod/IPhone models
  • full-size 1/4" headphone jack adapter included
  • quilted fabric storage case with magnetic closure for headphones and portable player
  • weight: 6.9 ounces
  • warranty: 2 years
  • Our 60-day money-back guarantee

  • *Note: Remote and microphone are supported only by iPhone 3GS/4G, iPod nano (4th/5th generation), iPod classic (120GB/160GB) and iPod touch (2nd/3rd generation). The remote is also supported by iPod shuffle (3rd generation). Audio is supported by all iPhone and iPod models.
 

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Features and Specs

Features and Specs
General
Type
Loading...
Noise-isolating
Style
Loading...
On-ear
Frequency Response
Loading...
10-20k Hz
Sensitivity
Loading...
115 dB
Impedance
Loading...
26 Ohms
Weight
Loading...
6.9 ounces
Cord Length
Loading...
48"
Airline Adapter Included
Loading...
No
iPod Control
Loading...
Yes
Volume Control
Loading...
Yes
Built-in Microphone
Loading...
Yes
Parts Warranty
Loading...
2 Years
Labor Warranty
Loading...
2 Years

Product Research

Product Research
What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

  • On-ear headphones
  • Detachable 4' headphone cable with in-line remote and mic terminated by a male 3.5mm connector on one end and a male 2.5mm connector on other end (installed)
  • Detachable 4' headphone cable with a male 2.5mm connector on on one end and a male 3.5mm connector on other end
  • 1/8" to /14" adapter
  • Carrying pouch
  • Instruction booklet
  • Quickstart
  • Warranty information

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

Features

Overview: The Bowers & Wilkins P5's high-quality sound and luxury materials are supported by smart design and user-friendly features. The Bowers & Wilkins P5 noise-isolating on-ear headphones offer natural, highly-detailed sound to give you a listening experience that is as close to the original recording as possible; along with a luxurious comfortable, stylish fit.

Natural Sound: Behind P5's natural sound are specially developed ultra-linear neodymium magnets and highly optimized Mylar diaphragms to keep music sounding rich, pure, and incredibly detailed; with no need for artificial adjustments.

Noise Isolation: A closed-back design, with rigid metal faceplates and sealed earpads, ensures that all the detail and dynamic range of your music is kept intact, while preserving just enough ambient sound to give you a sense of place.

Life-Long Comfort: P5 headphones are very easy on the ears, thanks to an ergonomic design and a headband and earpads crafted from the finest quality New Zealand sheep's leather. Durable and hardwearing, yet remarkably soft and supple, it makes long listening sessions feel more comfortable.

Detachable Headphone Cables: The Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones are compatible with any device with a headphone output. The P5s are supplied with two cables, one of which, the MFI cable, provides extra functionality for select Apple iPod and iPhone models. The leather earpads are magnetically attached, and can be quickly removed to swap the supplied cables (one cable with in-line iPod/iPhone remote, one cable without remote).

Note: The included cables feature a male 3.5mm connector. There is also a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter included.

Made for iPod/iPhone: The Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones feature an iPod/iPhone-approved cable with an in-line remote and microphone, for easy speech and device control. The "Made for iPod/iPhone" cable allows easy control of an iPod (these include track switching and volume control), and the microphone facilitates calls on an iPhone.

iPod/iPhone Model Generation Audio Playback Music Control Mic Phone Control
shuffle 1st Y N N N
2nd Y N N N
3rd Y Y N N
4th Y Y N N
dock connector 3rd Y N N N
clickwheel/color screen 4th Y N N N
mini 1st Y N N N
2nd Y N N N
video 5th Y N N N
classic 80GB Y N N N
120GB Y Y Y N
160GB Y Y Y N
iPod nano 1st Y N N N
2nd Y N N N
3rd Y N N N
4th Y Y Y N
5th Y Y Y N
6th Y Y Y N
iPod touch 1st Y N N N
2nd Y Y Y N
3rd Y Y Y N
4th Y Y Y N
iPhone 2G Y N N N
3G Y N N N
3GS Y Y Y Y
4 Y Y Y Y

Note: Requires latest iPod/iPhone software update. The remote and mic are supported by iPod nano (4th/5th/6th gen), iPod classic (120/160GB), iPod touch (2nd/3rd/4th gen), and iPhone (3GS/4). The remote (only) is also supported by the iPod shuffle (3rd/4th gen). Volume controls are not compatible with the iPhone (2G/3G). Audio is supported by all iPod models.

 

Product reviews from the Crutchfield Labs

Product reviews from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)
Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones -- substance and style

Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones -- substance and style

Ralph Graves
12/2/2010
based on 16 ratings
 

First impressions — thinking outside the rectangle I had my doubts when I took the  Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones  home for review. I like B&W products — they...

 

Product Reviews

Review Summary

Average Customer Review:

10 people say:
(7)
(2)
(1)
(0)
(0)
 

Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences about this product. Please be sure to focus your comments on the product itself. Read our Review Guidelines for more information.

Review title
* Email
Your email won't be visible. Please use the email address that is associated with your order.
Display name
(e.g., JohnD) Your review will be signed using the display name and location
* Your location
(e.g., Charlottesville, VA)
* Your rating
Click on a star to rate the overall product on a scale of 1-5
Rate the following specific attributes
  Sound Quality
 "Coolness Factor"
 Build Quality
 Comfort
 Noise Reduction
1500 characters left * Your review
Attach a YouTube Review
Crutchfield Video Review Guidelines
  • Only submit videos that you made or are authorized to use.
  • Do not submit videos that contain music, video or visuals that are copyrighted and belong to someone else.
  • Please see our Review Guidelines for more information.
Submit the URL of your YouTube™ video review or product demonstration. e.g., http://www.youtube.com/v/o79TWHh598U
500 characters left Pros
500 characters left Cons
* Agree to Terms
By checking this box you agree your review becomes the property of Crutchfield, that you are over 18 years of age, that you own or have owned this product, and that you are located within the United States or its territories. Please see our Review Guidelines for more information. We reserve the right (but are not obligated to) review all submissions and edit or remove any review in any manner which we deem necessary. Your review should be posted within seven days.
1-10 of 10 items Sort Results By: Date Reviewed | Rating | Helpfulness
 
5 out of 5

great

Written By joe, bronx ny on Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
good sound ,nice bass, and light
1 out of 2 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

Great Headphones

Written By Patrick, Mariposa, CA on Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
Worth the money. These headphones are great. Not to bass heavy, and the mids and highs are wonderful and clear as ever. They seem to be put together very well, and I don't think there is any plastic on these at all ( except ipod control). They are also pretty comfy and I would recommend these to anyone who is looking for a more natural sounding pair of headphones. I am more than pleased.
7 out of 8 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

Very nice headphones!

Written By Chris P., Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday, April 18, 2011
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
Very light! Very clean and great sound depth no matter what type of music I am listening to! Very attractive stylish look! Love these headphones!
5 out of 5 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

The BEST

Written By Chad, Shreveport, LA on Thursday, May 05, 2011
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
By far the_ BEST_ you can purchase!!! Beats have nothing on these headphones Bose comes close but the quality over comes them too. I am the most particular person when it comes to quality and sound and I promise you can't get better!!! The sound is perfect, it has the chrisp highs, clean mids and the perfect bass!
8 out of 9 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

Absolutely thrilled with my P5s

Written By LeeB, Winnetka, IL on Thursday, October 20, 2011
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
My search is over! These are by far the best headphones I've used and I've tried them all. The sound quality and clarity provide for nearly transparent music and voice reproduction and is what I've come to expect from B&W. I travel regularly and was initially concerned about whether or not the noise isolating would be sufficient having used those other noise canceling headphones, but I am glad to report that I have found that I actually prefer these, being able to hear the flight announcements without having to remove my headphones. Then when I add in the fact that the sound quality is infinitely better there is no comparison. Next, let's talk about build quality. All I can say is wow, solidly built of quality materials that look great. I have even earned style points from my 13 year old son. What more can I say. You will not be disappointed.
5 out of 5 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

Perfect for Classical Music

Written By AndrewG, Toronto, ON on Tuesday, May 08, 2012
 
I spent years looking for headphones in order to enjoy classical music and gave up! The I saw the p5's and knowing the recording of the LSO and Society of Sound people, I had to try them. I put them trough the Mozart Requiem (LSO - Society of Sound) and the results were great. So much so, that at one point, I thought - 'hey! I know that sound' - I had forgotten how much LSO I had enjoyed years before. These headphones not only delivered the music, they delivered on sound. They are getting more comfortable each time I wear them. And, I am happy to say my search is over!! :)
Pros:
Fit (I hate wearing headphones - but these are an exception! Comfort Natural sound for classical music - finally
Cons:
None so far - still breaking them in!
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

Excellent Headphones - but Cable Options Frustrate...

Written By Tom, Reno, NV on Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
The P5's are excellent headphones - really great sounding even if you don't have a headphone preamp (although they will sound better with a preamp). They're very comfortable and do a reasonably good job of isolating ambient noise. Bose noice cancelling headphones probably remove ambient noise a bit better - so they may perform slightly better on an airplane, but you need a battery to opeate the Bose noise cancelling 'phones. In most other environments, the P5's sound much better than the Bose products. The only complaint about the P5 is that the included cables are too short and they don't offer alternatives.
Pros:
Very comfortable; no battery or headphone amp needed; excellent sound quality
Cons:
Headphone cables supplied are too short and B&W doesn't sell a longer cable. Had to purchase a third party cable which is disappointing when you spend so much for headphones.
4 out of 5 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
4 out of 5

Soft Pillows of good sound......but!!!

Written By Eli@GEM-CE, Boston, Mass on Saturday, November 05, 2011
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
I spend more time listening to music through headphones on an airplane than all other situations combined. So although the design is really nice, and the ear pieces are the most comfortable thing I have ever put on, the noise transfer issues make them unusable for me on the plane. Too Bad, excpt for that I loved them
Pros:
Great soudning, incredibly smooth frequancy response. When I first put them on I felt like I just put my head in between to wonderfully soft pillows!!! Fantastic.
Cons:
If you use them when you are flying there is a problem with them if you lay your head on the back of the seat or on the window. They seem to tranfer all of the noise right through the head band into the ear pieces. This was incrdibly dissapointing.
6 out of 7 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
4 out of 5

Very good - but requires patience

Written By johnv, Strongsville, OH on Sunday, July 31, 2011
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
I was skeptical about the need for a 'break-in' period with the P5; but it turned out to be true. Initially the sound was bass-heavy & lacked clarity; but after about 2 weeks the sound opened up. The seal is very good & the passive noise reduction is probably 15-20 dB, which is adequate for most situations. The sound now is very good - mid-range is very clear with some roll-off in the high frequencies, bass is powerful. Very efficient, so it works well with IPods, etc. I'm more than satisfied.
6 out of 7 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
3 out of 5

B&W P5 headphones

Written By , Pittsburgh, PA on Friday, February 03, 2012
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
Not quite as comfortable as I would have expected. The earpads are very soft but the headphones are very snug (closing in on my head). The cord is very thin and feels cheap. The sound is pretty good but I was expecting more for the price and reviews. I'd likely skip this a second time around and stay with Grado's or Sennheiser's that are in the same (or less) price range. I'm not big on bass but, if I were, these would fall short there as well. I wish Grado's were more comfortable, I'd never look at another headphone.
Pros:
soft earpads decent overall sound
Cons:
Too tight Not great on bass thin cord that could break easily overpriced
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
1-10 of 10 items

Learn more about All Headphones

Learn more about All Headphones

Headphones: How to Choose

Headphones: How to Choose

Kristen Schaub
4/16/2012
based on 342 ratings (9 comments)
 

The right headphones can solve a number of A/V dilemmas. Listen to music and movies late at night, take your favorite music with you — jogging, doing housework, doing yard work —...

 
Sennheiser HD 448 Stereo Headphones

Sennheiser HD 448 Stereo Headphones

Marshall Chase
6/1/2011
based on 15 ratings (1 comment)
 

Marshall tried out the Sennheiser HD 448 stereo headphones all last week in the office. They provided a welcome audio haven, and a chance for him to escape for just a moment. Or perhaps longer...

 
Noise-Canceling Headphone Challenge

Noise-Canceling Headphone Challenge

Dave Bar
4/19/2012
based on 17 ratings (2 comments)
 

Folks in our I.T. department listened to five different models of noise-canceling headphones while we played a variety of sound effects. See what they had to say about each model's sound quality,...

 
Headphone Shootout #2 - The Details

Headphone Shootout #2 - The Details

Ralph Graves
4/19/2011
based on 4 ratings
 

Our second headphone shootout using the Crutchfield Listening bar focused on noise-cancelling headphones. It featured a three person panel: Dave Bar, audiophile and headphone expert;...

 
Headphones Shootout #2 - Noise-reduction headphones: AKG, Bose, Beats, Sennheiser

Headphones Shootout #2 - Noise-reduction headphones: AKG, Bose, Beats, Sennheiser

Ralph Graves
4/19/2011
based on 3 ratings (1 comment)
 

Our second headphone shootout using the Crutchfield Listening bar focused on noise-cancelling headphones. The noisy call center (where the listening bar is located) was an especially apt...

 

Accessories

Accessories we recommend

Headphone Amplifiers
Get better sound from your headphones with a dedicated headphone amp.
Musical Fidelity V-CAN II
Headphone amplifier

Also available in:
Open Box: $179.99
$199.99
In Stock
 
 
Pro-Ject Head Box S
Headphone amplifier (Black)
$159.99
In Stock
 
 
NuForce Icon HDP
Headphone amp/USB DAC/stereo preamp (Black)

Also available in:
Open Box: $404.10
$449.00
In Stock
 
 
Musical Fidelity M1HPA
Headphone amplifier with USB input
$799.99
In Stock
 
 
Show more items
Holders
Keep your headphones right where you want them without taking up shelf space.
Sennheiser HH-10
Holder for all over-the-head style headphones
$15.99
In Stock
 
 
 
Add selected to cart
 

For a more in-depth review and enhanced detailed information on the Bowers & Wilkins P5, please visit the Crutchfield website product page (/ISEO-rccbcspd/p_749P5/Bowers-Wilkins-P5.html ).

Recommended Accessories See more accessories

Your featured item

Bowers & Wilkins P5
Bowers & Wilkins P5
Portable on-ear headphones with in-line remote and microphone
$299.99
In Stock
 
 

Headphone Amplifiers

Musical Fidelity V-CAN II
Headphone amplifier

Also available in:
Open Box: $179.99
$199.99
In Stock
 
 

Holders

Sennheiser HH-10
Holder for all over-the-head style headphones
$15.99
In Stock
 
 

Protect your gear with an extended warranty

Add 3 Year Warranty
Square Trade Warranty
$38.99
In Stock
 
 
Accidental Damage Handling
$16.00
In Stock
 
 
 
Add selected to cart
 
close X
Can we help you find something
or answer a question?
Chat with a Crutchfield advisor or call 1-800-320-6609. Chat
Bowers & Wilkins P5