Reviews for Bowers & Wilkins C5 In-Ear Headphones

I bought this at Apple store about a year ago. My most frequent issue with headphones has been failing jacks which in this case didn't happen so that was good. Sound quality is appropriate for the price and I like the fitting mechanism.

Recently though the mid-section where cables join seems to have issues. When I walk or move the cable, if the joint also moves, sound in one ear stops. It's been getting worse. There's no sign of external damage and I kept these very well protected. Honestly, expected better build quality given the price.

Because after you pick up a pair of these you are going to want to listen to all your favorite albums again at high bitrate. The sound is just astonishing. They fit like an old pair of jeans and stick like an ear worm. Worth every penny.

The sound is pristine. They stay in your ears very well. You can run with these, I ran a half marathon with them. They fit in the outer ear so well that they block out sound (not "cancel" but essentially block all sound. Put these on in a crowded coffee shop and you can easily escape and concentrate on the book/lecture/task at hand. I love them.

Truly a magnificent set of headphones that transcended all my expectations of sound reproduction by a pair of headphones.

The sound is warm, pure, undistorted. I know others have said that it has high bass, but honestly to me it sounds just right. The sounds reverberates with the kind of quality that I expect from high end speakers. I am able to discern new subtleties in familiar tracks, and I am better able to discern words in songs.

The long-term comfort with the ear loops is a potential issue. The first day I wore them, my ears got sore from the loops. But I've been wearing them for quite an extended period of time today and they seem to be OK - perhaps I had pushed the ear loops too hard against my ear the first day.

Overall very pleased with this purchase.

I love these in ears! They lasted me much longer then my beats and have a better range! I used them so much i think i blew out the left driver and right wire got fried but the sound is still freekily astounding.

natural sounding, very good sound quality, the loop locks on to your ears no matter what your activities are, the wires are strong and stable and built to last. Audiophile quality. Had this for two years now, never had a problem and never bought anything else, very very satisfied.

Great headphones. I used these on a 13 hour flight and they were great for noise cancelation and did not hurt my ears when they were in the right place. Best sound quality and good for everyday use also. I definitely recommend.

I read the reviews, compared competitors, weighed all options and these were definitely not worth the $$$ they cost. Two problems I have, and they are big ones:

1. SOUND QUALITY is way too bass heavy. I had to adjust the equalizer to bass reducer to get close to the quality I want.

2. FIT is too awkward. B&W are trying too hard here. Design doesn't always succeed just because it's different than everyone else's headphones. I never achieved a truly snug fit, even with all the various rubber tips provided. A sung fit is essential for proper sound, but these would slip out often causing me to reseat them. The Secure Loops are an interesting gimmick, but after an hour, they hurt my outer ear because they press on the ear folds.

I retuned these the very next day and exchanged them for the Ultimate Ears 600vi. I already own a pair of custom Ultimate Ears UE10 Pros that cost $1,000, and think they are the best I've ever heard. I bought the B&Ws because I needed a temporary pair of phones while my UE10s are being repaired. The UE 600vi's don't fit much better than the B&Ws, but at least the sound is more balanced.

I must mention that UE10 Pros are in an entirely different class of in-ear phones and they don't get much better than that. Comfort and sound are truly phenomenal. I've had them for 7 years and can always get them repaired (drivers replaced, new cables, etc.) if need be. The cables are detachable in case you need to just replace those. About once a year I ship them to Ultimate Ears for a check over and they usually find something that needs to be tweaked. If you have the means, you must buy them, otherwise find an alternate that you can afford. Just don't waste your money on the B&Ws.

So far the best all around fit and sound for a non-custom in-ear phones are the Klipsch Image X10i for $350. They have one negative, though. The cables aren't well made. Mine disconnected after about a year of mild use.

These are wonderful sounding earphones - and my favorite so far (have had Bose's, Klipsch, and multiple others). Had to get some replacement buds for these, and I have to attest that Bowers' customer service was TREMENDOUS. They have a customer for life given how well they treat you after you buy. Most places nowadays cast you off and it takes forever to get a response - not Bowers. Love em. Buy some - you will not regret it (I promise I don't work for them!!).

It's been 6 months since I bught this earphones and the cable already broke, very disappointing since they are not cheap.
To be fair , the fit and sound are great .