For any music lover, it’s sound quality that changes the game. Bowers & Wilkins, the legendary UK audio firm, has been a standard-bearer for good sound, and here’s how it returns with its latest true wireless in-ear headphones: the Pi6 and Pi8. Always known for their exceptional sound quality and luxury design, these new offerings bring some serious upgrades. In this review, we will take an in-depth look at everything you need to know about the Pi6 and Pi8 headphones.
About the Company & Product
Bowers & Wilkins has always been known for its high-class speakers, but it did not really enter the scene in the headphone market, until recently. The newer Pi5 and Pi7, launched in 2021, have received all the praise for both audio quality and comfort. This year, B&W has released the Pi6 and Pi8, which not only aim at the betterment of the quality of sound but also bring fresh features to compete with the best in the true wireless in-ear market. The improvements do not only go beyond the sound quality but also stretch out to design, battery life, and technology development.
Design & Build Quality
Right out of the box, you notice that how slim and sleek-looking Pi6 and Pi8 headphones are. Bowers & Wilkins designed them to make it look better without diminishing its functionality. Now both come in a much more vivid array of colors, adding for modern designs that please the taste of everyone.
Now the new form of a charging case does not look only beautiful but is pretty efficient as well. It’s slimmer and more streamlined compared to the previous versions and now has a matte finish. It no longer has a pairing button; instead, when you hold the earbuds inside the case, it turns on the pairing mode indicated by a tiny LED placed in front of the device which shows whether it is paired, connected, or is low on battery. There is a USB-C charging port at the bottom. Wireless charging is optional with the Pi8 model.
Key Differences Between Pi6 and Pi8
Both devices have great listening quality, but there are a few differences that are worth knowing:
- Driver Technology: Pi6 has bio-cellulose drivers, while the Pi8 has Carbon Cone drivers for better clarity.
- Bluetooth Codec: Pi6 has aptX Adaptive, while Pi8 has aptX Lossless for higher fidelity.
- Wireless Charging: The Pi8 is the only one with wireless charging.
All these differences lead to a somewhat elevated experience by Pi8, especially for the user who loves high-resolution uncompressed audio.
Wireless Charging and Smart Case
The Pi8 has wireless charging and can be just placed down on any Qi-compatible pad. A key feature of the case of the Pi8 is that it can connect to an in-flight entertainment system as well as other external audio sources. Through a 3.5mm or USB cable, the case can retransmit audio to the earbuds in high-res aptX Adaptive quality, which can make long journeys a lot more enjoyable. It’s essentially like eliminating multiple headphones during travel.
Features & Technology
Bowers & Wilkins has equipped both models with advanced features to further the listening experience of its user.
- Touch Controls: Shifting through modes and reducing the volume is easy.
- Transparency Mode: It allows listening to the sounds around when music is playing.
- Noise Cancelation Modes: Change through levels; ideal for exercise, office, or multiple surroundings listening.
The features have met all the present day requirements from working professional commuting to a passionate listener willing to indulge themselves.
Bio-Cellulose vs Carbon Cone Drivers
The two drivers of the same size, 12mm are of different materials. Bio-cellulose driver of Pi6 provides balanced sound with clear clarity. On the other hand, the Carbon Cone driver in Pi8 is rigid with very low distortion producing clarity without match with an improved transient response. This will be much appreciated by the audiophiles listening to the complex music with layers of sounds.
Carbon Cone technology in B&W’s top-of-the-range Px8 over-ear headphones delivers rich, lifelike reproduction with very little distortion, so the Pi8 makes for an excellent choice for the purist seeking studio-like sound quality.
Bluetooth aptX Adaptive vs aptX Lossless
For wireless, both versions support aptX Bluetooth:
- Pi6: aptX Adaptive; resolution up to 24-bit/96kHz; bit rate adjusted dynamically for smooth audio at low latency.
- Pi8: Includes aptX Lossless, a layer that’s one step up from the CD-quality, “bit-for-bit” sound that the aptX HD has always delivered. This codec can carry higher data rates without compromising audio quality, while still giving music lovers the maximum reproduction of their music.
Android users will get their aptX Lossless as part of compatible devices with this headphone, while iOS users get USB-C connections for sound.
Noise Cancelling
Bowers & Wilkins takes a subtle approach to noise cancelling. It will enable the Pi6 and Pi8 to offer no noise cancellation, pass-thru mode, or active noise cancellation. These headphones are versatile to suit whatever situation: it could be the busy airport or quiet coffee shop.
More than that, B&W’s ANC focuses on natural sound quality rather than completely isolating all sounds. It neutralizes and removes annoying noises without sacrificing the audio experience-thriving to be quite fatiguing in loud over-aggressive ANC headphones.
Battery Life
Great battery life on both products. ANC on the Pi6 = 8 hours; Pi8 = 6.5 hours. The charging case extends usage time to 16 hours on the Pi6 and 13.5 hours for Pi8. Quick charge gives 2 hours of playback after a 15-minute charge.
Bowers & Wilkins Music App
A dedicated app makes everything, from setup to customization, a breeze. The app has the following features
- Equalizer: adjusts the sound profile according to individual preference
- Firmware updates: keeps your headphones always updated
- Music streaming integration: listen to music straight from any preferred service using the application
The features include such as customizable touch controls, wear sensor adjustments among others.
Performance & Sound Quality
The Pi6 and Pi8 are excellent performance devices, each with exclusive features. Pi6 balanced fine highs with deep midrange to be a very versatile headphones across all genres. Pi8 clearness and depth out of Carbon Cone driver as well as aptX Lossless create a very immersive and easy sound identification. Two defined midrange and smoothly high will complement the great, well-rounded, really natural sound profile.
Are These For You?
Both of the models can be recommended for listening in terms of quality and stability if you are interested in deep, clear in-ear headphones. Pi6 is right for all those preferring sound quality at a sensible price, but the Pi8 is for high-end audiophiles and fans of real wirelessness. Everything like noise cancelation, wireless charging, and an intuitive app within these models will make it equal in the high-end market.
Conclusion
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 and Pi8: Innovation in the class of wireless in-ear headphones, high audio quality. What top-class design, latest technology, and customization options offer to music lovers and tech enthusiasts alike is dealt with for good quality listening by B&W.
