Bowers & Wilkins C5 In-Ear Headphones

Natural sound and superb comfort.

The C5 in-ear headphones bring you amazingly natural acoustics and fit so comfortably and securely you'll hardly be aware you're wearing them, so you can truly lose yourself in unadulterated sound, even when you're on the move.

  • Natural sound is closer to the original recording
  • Noise-isolating design for use on the move
  • Secure loop ensures comfort and fit
  • Cable with remote and microphone
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Questions & Answers

18 Questions + 22 Answers

4.0

Based on 22 reviews

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Purchase Information

£149.95

In Stock
Free Delivery

 
 

Features

Apple Recommends For

Experience even purer sound from your iPad, iPod, or iPhone.

C5 in-ear headphones fit so snugly in your ears that you can simply forget about the rest of the world and lose yourself in sound. Meanwhile, C5's comfortable fit and hard-wearing aluminium body means you can enjoy great sound on the go for longer.

Ultimate performance

The unique Micro Porous Filter creates a more open performance, while the Tungsten Sound Tube provides a more balanced design for improved sound.

Ultimate fit

The Secure Loop design is a revolutionary, easily adjustable device that secures the C5 in-ear headphones in place. The C5 fits snugly, creating a comfortable seal that helps isolate external noise, delivers deeper bass, and ensures the best sonic performance every time.

Made for iPad, iPod, and iPhone

With an in-line remote control and mic, you can get the most out of your compatible iPad, iPhone, or iPod model.* Make hands-free iPhone calls and control your compatible iPod or iPhone without taking it out of your pocket or bag.

Highlights

  • Micro Porous Filter creates open performance
  • Tungsten Sound Tube provides more balanced design improving sound
  • Secure Loop design secures the C5 in place
  • Neodymium magnet and ultra-light speaker diaphragms for minimal compress and distortion
  • Transparent twisted cable (OFC) with gold-plated 3.5 mm plug
  • Apple remote and microphone
  • Protective case
  • Supplied with four sizes of ear tips

Did You Notice?

Unique Micro Porous Filter and Tungsten Sound Tube deliver more open performance and more balanced design.

Technical Specs

General

  • Other Features: With Remote and Mic
  • Usage: Working Out,Travel
  • Inline Controls: Mute,Next Track,Pause,Play,Previous Track,Volume

Connections

  • Jack Type: Straight

Fit

  • Form Factor: In Ear

Driver

  • Driver Size: 9 mm
  • Sound Pressure Level: 118dB/V at 1 kHz
  • THD: <1%
  • Impedance: 32 ohms
  • Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 20 kHz

Dimension

  • Weight: 0.71 oz./20 g
  • Cable Length: 1.2 m

Compatibility

  • iPhone 4S

  • iPhone 4

  • iPhone 3GS

  • iPod touch
    4th generation

  • iPod touch
    3rd generation

  • iPod classic
    120GB 160GB (2009)

  • iPod classic
    160GB (2007)

  • iPod classic 80GB

  • iPod nano
    6th generation

  • iPod nano
    5th generation (video camera)

  • iPod nano
    4th generation (video)

  • iPod shuffle
    4th generation

  • iPod shuffle
    3rd generation

  • iPad
    1st generation

  • iPad 2
    2nd generation

What's in the Box?

  • Bowers & Wilkins C5 In-Ear Headphones
  • Four sizes of ear tips
  • Protective case
  • Quick start guide, safety and warranty, registration booklet

Manufacturer Information

Warranty

  • Warranty: Two years
  • Note: Apple's One-Year Limited Warranty does not apply to products that are not Apple-branded, even if packaged or sold with Apple products. Non-Apple-branded products may have the benefit of a manufacturer's warranty provided by the product manufacturer — please see your product box and literature for details. Benefits under the manufacturer's warranty are in addition to rights provided by consumer law. For details, click here.

Part Number

  • UPC or EAN No.: 714346312962
  • Mfr. Part Number: FP30325

Manufacturer Note

  • Note: *Note: See compatibility list for iPad, iPod, and iPhone models that support full remote and microphone functionality. The cable may also work with limited functionality on non-listed iPod or iPhone models.
 

Ratings & Reviews

4.0

Based on 22 reviews

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Most Useful Reviews

  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Good All-Round

    • Written by from MANCHESTER

    First thing you notice when you take them out of the pack is the great build quality and the weight.

    I initially tried them with the factory fitted buds and the sound was overwhelming "bassy". It took many attempts to get the combination of buds right and I would recommend that you try them all out at least a couple of times to make sure you get the right fit. This is very important as it affects the sound enormously and also the general comfort too.

    Once the right fit is obtained, you'll notice the sound quality on these is very good.

    The low frequencies are very punchy but the sound is very natural and don’t feel forced, nor do they have the "manufactured" bass sound that many cheaper earphones I have owned in the past do. It is important to note that the C5s do not distort in the slightest, even at very high volumes.

    The mid range and high frequencies are very refined. Admittedly, the highs aren’t as good as the ER-4Ps that I am having been using for the past year, but it is compensated for in the lows to give an overall incredibly detailed and balanced sound and a large soundstage to boot!

    As with all of these things, the sound each listener prefers is down to personal preference, but I find a flat equaliser setting gives the best sound on these.

    The secure loop concept does what it says! However, I tend to use these in the office where I can be listening to music whilst working away for up to 10 hours a day and I have noticed after 3 or 4 hours, the loop starts to get uncomfortable (“digging” into the ear). Taking a 15 min break every couple of hours seems to do the trick.

    Timing was good, as I was on a plane the next day and with these and they performed very well with respect to sound quality and blocking out background noise.

    Another positive is the cable sheath coating which seems to reduce knotting after storage. It also seems to reduce microphonics, although a thud is still noticeable and with no shirt clip, I’m not sure how good these would be on the move.

    The only negatives I have so far with these is that the carry pouch is a little small for the size of the earphones (tends to squash the buds), the cable is a little on the short side and comfort is somewhat compromised with extended periods of listening.

    Overall, these are very good and although are a little expensive, they are worth it and are not far from the P5s in terms of sound quality but with the added benefits of portability, size and £100!

    Highly recommended.     …More

    37 of 41 people found this useful

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  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Fantastic Headphones!

    • Written by from Tonbridge

    Firstly, I would like to dismiss any poor reviews of this product. The first thing I noticed when I took them out of their packaging is the size and weight of them (a comfortable size and weight, not too big or small).

    Then when I plugged them in for the first time, I was truly blown away by the simply amazing sound quality, just as good as the P5's! They were much better than any other headphones I have tried, and thats before I had even worn them in (e.g. Monster, Sennheisser, Beats By Dr. Dre and Apple).

    I am also very impressed with the 'Secure Loop' design, it does what it says on the tin! And another bonus to add to the already growing list, if you still can't get a fit with the 'Secure Loop', you can even remove it, yet they still stay in place just the same as if the 'Secure Loop' was still in place!

    There is only one small gripe I have with these headphones, the supplied case is a bit of a pain as it seems to squash the earphones and but and it is kind of hard to get them in properly without fear of damaging £150 of earphones...

    Overall, I would most certainly recommend these to any one who asks me for recommendations to a decent set of earphones!     …More

    31 of 38 people found this useful

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  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Love these earphones

    • Written by from London

    These are the best sounding in-ear 'phones I've heard. They have the same "trademark sound" as other B&W products where the bass is natural sounding and punchy, but without saturating the mid-range and treble. May not be to everyone's taste - especially if you listen to a lot of classical or jazz - but these are a great all round performer.

    I found the fitting very comfortable and secure and prefer it over the comply foam type ear buds which can feel too much like... well like wearing ear plugs.

    Another thing to note is that the 3.5mm plug will fit nicely into an iPhone with the bumper or similar case attached.     …More

    22 of 25 people found this useful

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Most Recent Reviews

  • 1.0 out of 5 stars

    Fragile build

    • Written by from Carnoustie

    I was initially very pleased with the sound quality of the C5 earphones. However, the right hand headphone stopped working after less than ten uses. You can only return if you have retained proof of purchase so bear this in mind if you are gifting these. The warranty lasts two years, but following this repairs cost more than 50% of the cost of the headphones new, so bear this in mind if you expect more than 24 months from these. …More

    1 of 1 people found this useful

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  • 4.0 out of 5 stars

    Great sound quality

    • Written by from Glasgow

    I was blown over by the sound quality of these b&w in ear headphones but, a big let down for me was the interference heard when the cable moves. This is particularly evident when listening to low notes and low volume. I guess This is the consequence of having a more hefty and durable cable. In saying that, When compared to Nixon and Bose in ear speaker, b&w block out ambient noise the best so if you are on a flight, these would be ideal. …More

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  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    BEST EVER

    • Written by from Manchester

    in the past 4 years I have bought 4 headphones including bose in ear the old and new edition .. they are just craap compared with this FANTASTIC headphones ..!
    I am in LOVE with this product!
    comfortable, sound quality is amazing! and quality of the product is just brilliant! you get what you pay for ..     …More

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Questions & Answers

Follow this Product

See all 18 Questions

Most Interesting

  • Will these headphones stay in for running? How do they hold up to sweat and does it come with a clip?

    • Asked by Eric P from Miami
    • 20-Aug-2011

    3 Answers

    Best Answer

    They stay in my ears beautifully! There is no clip, but I just threaded them through my clothing. They seem to be ok with sweat so far, although I found an almost microscopic drop of sweat in one of the tubes today.

    No matter, the tube drains itself, and the wires within the tube are coated against sweat too, so the sweat would have to get 2 layers deeper to touch anything it shouldn't.

    Best in-ear phones I've ever owned, and I've had at least a dozen in the past including Bose, Sony, JVC, Skull Candy, Apple, etc. Sound quality on these is nothing short of life-changing!!!     …More

    • Answered by Bob F from Copley
    • 25-Aug-2011

  • Do the BW C5 offer better sound quality than the Bose MEI2?

    • Asked by Joshua N from East Northport
    • 07-Oct-2011

    4 Answers

    Best Answer

    Definitely. My Bose Mie2i's recently broke after 6 months and I bought the C5s and they have been infinitely better than the Mie2is. The C5s stay in your just as well as the mie2i, but they actually fit in the ear canal, which isolates the noise much better. The boses are not noise isolating at all. The C5s also sound better, the base is fantastic and its like a private concert. They are definitely worth the extra cash. …More

    • Answered by Jacob R from Bethesda
    • 17-Oct-2011

  • Does the mic button on these headphones work with Siri on the iPhone 4S?

    • Asked by Carey R from Brookline
    • 17-Oct-2011

    2 Answers

    Answer

    YES, I've just tried it out on my Wife's 4S, and can confirm that it does indeed work.

    • Answered by Gregory G
    • 23-Oct-2011

Recently Answered

  • If I wear these while running, can I still hear the traffic and other noises around me?

    • Asked by Diane W P from Corbett
    • 10-Nov-2011

    2 Answers

    Answer

    yes, just as long as you do not turn your volume up to the max, but i suggest you check out other alternative if you plan to use them for sports or any rigid activities just because the wires are double coated with a thick plastic laminate (to prevent it from tangling) …More

    • Answered by Eric L from Los Angeles
    • 16-Jan-2012

  • How do these stack up against the Shure in-ear models? like the SE425?

    • Asked by Hayk J from Glendale
    • 01-Dec-2011

    1 Answer

    Answer

    I had a pair of Shure SE500 series earbuds and loved them for 2 years until I lost them. These B&Ws replaced them, and I didn't expect that they would match up considering the rather large price difference.

    That said, I think they actually sound better and the bass response is very, very close to what I experienced with the Shures. I'd give anything if I still had my Shures and could compare them to each other directly to be sure.

    The point, however, is that "i'm not sure" which means the difference must not be all that great.

    Bottom line, these are excellent excellent earbuds and the design is outstanding. They are incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time and the ingenious loop design of the wires actually lets you adjust the fit which makes sure they don't pop out on you. In terms of comfort, they're more comfortable than the Shures.

    The biggest difference? The noise isolation. The Shures would turn airplane engine roar into a low hum, but you also couldn't hear a darn thing happening around you. The B&Ws do not isolate sound to the same degree, but more than enough for me.

    You won't regret the purchase and they're cheaper than the SE425s. Give 'em a try.     …More

    • Answered by Richard L from Knoxville
    • 21-Dec-2011

  • are they any good in the gym, by which i mean, do they stay firmly in your ears?

    • Asked by Michael H
    • 24-Nov-2011

    1 Answer

    Answer

    No issues with them popping out on me while on the treadmill. The genius loop design of the wires actually lets you customize the fit in your ear, so they stay nice and secure. Love these. …More

    • Answered by Richard L from Knoxville
    • 21-Dec-2011

Featured Question

Where can I order replacement Ear bud tips for the C5's

  • Asked by Gary H from Edmonton
  • 28-Feb-2012
Answer
† Exceptions apply. The shown delivery date may encounter additional time for some localities. Click here for details.