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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4.0 out of 5 stars

Based on 31 reviews

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Purchase Information

£149.95

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Within 24 hours Free Delivery

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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
  • Inline Controls: Mute,Next Track,Pause,Play,Previous Track,Volume
  • Usage: Travel,Working Out

Connections

  • Jack Type: Straight

Fit

  • Form Factor: In Ear

Driver

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

  • 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 31 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

    46 of 51 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

    42 of 50 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

    31 of 34 people found this useful

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Most Recent Reviews

  • 4.0 out of 5 stars

    Amazing sound, struggled to get them to fit.

    • Written by from London

    Great headphones, the sound is incredible the depth and warmth in the bass and a strong clear treble.

    Perhaps its my ears, however, i found the tips quite large and uncomfortable in my ears. i was glad of apple's returns policy and swapped them for a pair of Nocs which fit me far better! …More

    1 of 1 people found this useful

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  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Simply Brilliant!

    • Written by from London

    I own a pair of Dr.Dre studio's but lets face it, over ear headphones especially the beats can get very uncomfortable after a while.

    I was looking for a good pair of headphones after the cable of my in-ear beats ripped apart and OMG the sound is just mind blowing... I can't emphasise how good the clarity, bass and treble is...

    I had doubts about purchasing so I asked if I could test them, the Apple store working guy :))) said we aren't allowed to give you a test go but you could always return them within 14 days if you're not satisfied SO my advice if you are looking for a good pair of in-ears definitely purchase it... if you don't feel satisfied (which I doubt) you could always give them back.     …More

    1 of 1 people found this useful

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  • 2.0 out of 5 stars

    Fit can be an issue

    • Written by from Oxford

    These earphones are claimed to be better fitting than typical in ear headphones due to the unique design. Well that all depends on the shape of your ears, and since you cannot try them that is a problem. I looked at them a few times then decided to take the plunge. In my case no matter how I adjust the loops they simply fall out while walking about or even when sitting down. The only way to get a snug fit is to push the tips into the ear so they essentially just wedge in, which makes the ear loops superfluous. Because they are metal under the silicone rubber ear tips this is also very uncomfortable, and verges on painful after 30 minutes use.

    I've tried all the different size ear tips that are included and this makes little difference to the fit. Previous earbuds from other companies haven't given me any real problems so I was really surprised to have such issues with these from a company like B&W. I'm sorry to say they really are a triumph of design over function. Sad, since they are really beautiful objects and the sound is very good.     …More

    6 of 10 people found this useful

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† Exceptions apply. The shown delivery date may encounter additional time for some localities. Click here for details.