Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 in-ear true wireless earbud review
The British audio expert today (August 21, 24) introduced the new flagship model of two noise-cancelling earbuds: the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 wireless in-ear headphone. With a completely redesigned design that puts comfort and sound quality first, the Pi8 joins the recently released entry-level Pi6 wireless earbuds.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 in-ear true wireless earbud review introduction
At £349, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 in-ear headphones are identical to its predecessor. It is anticipated to go on sale starting on August 28 and is currently available for preorder from a few stores. The Pi5 and Pi7 S2 versions, which debuted concurrently in January 2024, have been replaced by the Pi6 and Pi8.
The new flagship wireless earbuds are still more expensive than a number of the best designs I’ve seen from well-known companies like Apple, Bose, and Sony, even if the price stability between versions is commendable for such a significant overhaul. Additionally, for just £30 more, headphone enthusiasts can get the company’s entry-level Px7 S2e over-ear headphones.
In addition to Bowers & Wilkins’ outstanding Px7 S2e and opulent flagship Px8 over-ear headphone designs, I really like their earlier in-ear models. Because of their excellent sound quality and powerful musical connection, I actually rated the Pi7 S2 in-ears as one of the greatest wireless earbuds I’ve ever heard in a previous editorial position. Despite Bowers & Wilkins’ well-known sonic credentials, the wireless earbuds industry has rapidly changed, and the larger earbuds’ bulky form and long charging case weren’t all that they could be. The Pi7 S2 soon appeared outdated in comparison to more recent models.
Modern love
The British audio expert admits that the outgoing in-ear had certain design issues in comparison to the competition, despite the Pi7 S2 having only been on the market for 18 months. The Pi8 tackles these issues with a brand-new, high-end design that provides enhanced comfort along with fresh, refined features.
The Pi7’s 9.2mm dynamic driver and balanced armature configuration are replaced by a new single 12mm carbon cone driver and acoustic architecture. Version 5.4 of Bluetooth now supports the aptX Adaptive and Lossless codecs through Snapdragon Sound. Additionally, the Bowers & Wilkins Music app has been updated with a new 5-band EQ control and improved wear detection sensing.
The Pi8’s charging case features wireless audio transmission, just like the Pi7 S2. Just use the included cable to connect a music source to the case, then beam audio to the Pi8 buds. This allowed me to wirelessly stream my 4,436-song audio library to the Pi8 earphones using aptX Adaptive by connecting the included 3.5mm-jack-to-USB-C connector to the headphone output of my iPod Classic. Additionally, a USB-C-to-USB-C cable is included.
This clever function, which has been enhanced on the Pi8 to support 24-bit/96kHz audio files, keeps B&W’s flagship charging case the most intelligent of its wireless earbud competitors. This functionality, which is absent from devices like Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and Sony’s WF-1000XM5, is useful for travelers who want to link the Pi8s to an in-flight entertainment system.
The Pi8 and Pi7 have many of the same specifications. The buds can tolerate perspiration and unexpected downpours without any problems because they have the same IP-54 rating for protection against dust and moisture. My black version of the charging case quickly looked dirty throughout the review process, but the dove white, midnight blue, and jade green color options might prove to be more resilient. The case isn’t rated for dust or water protection and is incredibly prone to finger marks and scuffs, just like its predecessor. The earphones’ battery capacity has been marginally increased over the Pi7, but generally, the earbuds and charging case have a similar rating of about 20 hours.
Take control
Additional improvements include a new version of the Bowers & Wilkins Music app (for both iOS and Android playback devices), an external redesign, and better driver material and internal organization. The latest Bowers & Wilkins earbud and headphone models are completely compatible with the revised software, which adds refined functionality, a new EQ feature, and volume control modification in addition to standard functions like wear recognition, voice assistant activation, touch control customization, and noise cancellation.
Before the revised app’s official release, I’ve been testing it out. Using a Sony Xperia 1 IV Android smartphone as my preferred portable music player during the review period allowed me to easily access the Pi8’s control menus, and the device’s new “Made for iPhone” certification allowed it to work seamlessly with my iPhone 13 Pro. I had no trouble connecting to both playback devices at the same time thanks to the reliable multipoint functionality.
Aside from the additional features, the redesigned app has a similar appearance to earlier versions and makes content recommendations based on your listening preferences for music subscriptions. To consolidate content from many streaming platforms in one location, you can connect music streaming services such as Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music, and SoundCloud. However, Apple Music is not supported.
I had no trouble switching between content from various playlists and services, and the integration with linked services is smooth and dependable. Though I did occasionally run into issues that forced me to use my device’s specialized Tidal app, I’m willing to bet that any early issues will be promptly fixed by upcoming firmware upgrades.
Performance
The new Bowers & Wilkins flagship in-ears are a bit simpler than flagship earbuds from companies like Apple and Sony, which include sophisticated adaptive noise-cancelling modes and speak-to-chat capabilities. There is a transparency mode that lets users stay somewhat aware of their surroundings even when the noise-cancelling feature is turned off.
Bowers & Wilkins merely state that the redesigned earphones’ shape has allowed the noise-cancelling and call mics to be moved for improved performance, in contrast to certain wireless earbuds that boast an improvement in noise-cancelling performance with each iteration. Additionally, more processing power has been added to improve call performance and noise reduction. During my regular train trips, it worked well to muffle other passengers’ sounds and lower background noise so I could concentrate on listening to my music. That’s the main goal, after all.
Using aptX Adaptive on my Sony Xperia 1 IV smartphone to stream my favorite Tidal playlist highlights the Pi8’s rich audio heritage. While I was impressed by Bowers & Wilkins’s previous flagship in-ears for their ability to captivate me with their powerful sound with whatever music I was listening to, the Pi8 goes even further. Bowers & Wilkins has a significant hifi heritage and renown for producing some of the most captivating and perceptive loudspeakers in the world.
The larger single driver arrangement with carbon cone material is undoubtedly responsible for that, as it produced familiar music with even more engrossing soundscapes. Even though the Pi8 has among of the biggest drivers I’ve ever heard in wireless earbuds, the music is perfectly balanced and natural throughout the frequency spectrum. The music never sounded too loud or went too far for my taste, but there was always enough intensity around the deeper bass notes to keep my attention. The sound characteristic is correct since, even with the new five-band EQ setting, I didn’t see the need to alter anything from Bowers & Wilkins’ True Sound preset.
Just let go
The bass levels on songs like Deadmau5’s “Let Go,” which were streamed via Tidal at 24-bit/44.1kHz, sounded tight and controlled while also having a terrific sense of drive and bass energy. Without sacrificing the subtlety of the mid-bass, strings and synths provide a warm, rich tone. The timeless song Searching By Change (Tidal, 16-bit/44.1kHz) was a joyful listen on the Pi8 that instantly brought me back to the 1980s, and Luther Vandross’s soulful voice sounded notably smooth and silky. Similarly, Caribou’s Volume (which samples Pump Up The Volume by MARRS) was a lot of fun to stream at 24-bit/44.1kHz, creating a soundscape that seemed to stretch beyond my head and ears.
For me, the only thing that detracted from the sound picture was a minor loss of upper-mid detail. The Pi8 nonetheless made the most of the track’s house/nu-disco groove, so even though Jessie Ware’s vocals on Spotlight (16-bit/44.1kHz via Tidal) sounded less front in the mix than I’m used to, it was still a minor complaint that didn’t make me seek for the app’s EQ controls.
In summary
When it comes to premier wireless earbuds, Bowers & Wilkins keeps improving on its advantages and expanding the range of sound quality. In order to satisfy music enthusiasts and fans of the specialized audio brand who prefer their songs to have a deeply textured, dramatic sound, the Pi8 strikes a compromise between nice-to-have features and the company’s remarkable hifi credentials.
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 is unquestionably a high-end product with superior features and styling, and it deserves praise for keeping the same price as its predecessor. However, when compared to flagship competitors, it is not inexpensive, but it is well worth the money.
Ideal for…
Admirers of the brand’s brilliant sound in a more portable and fashionable wireless earbud design
Consider…
Expensive in comparison to more feature-rich mainstream wireless earbud competitors, and some people might want a little greater vocal clarity.
Specifications
- Earbuds that are truly wireless
- Hybrid active noise cancellation
- Three microphones per earphone for ANC and phone calls
- Driver: carbon cone, 12 mm
- Earbuds weigh 7g, while the charging case weighs 46g.
- Bluetooth codecs that are supported include SBC, AAC, aptX Classic, aptX Lossless, and aptX Adaptive.
- 20 hours of battery life (6.5 hours for the earbuds and 13.5 hours from the charging case); a 15-minute charge allows for up to two hours of playback.
- Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity
- Contains: Four ear tips, an 80cm 3.5mm jack-to-USB-C audio cable, and a 60cm USB-C-to-USB-C charging wire
- Finishes: midnight blue, jade green, dove white, and anthracite black
