Bowers & Wilkins Pi8: The Ultimate True Wireless Earbuds

Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), a British audio company renowned for its high-end speakers, has expanded its product lineup in recent years to include headphones, earbuds, and wireless speakers. Their latest offering, the Pi8 wireless earbuds, marks a significant advancement in their audio technology. This review will delve into their features, performance, and overall value.

The Pi8 earbuds represent a mature and refined product from B&W, thanks in part to the adoption of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound Platform. This platform leverages the aptX Lossless codec, allowing the Pi8 to deliver audio quality comparable to wired headphones. With this technological leap, wireless earbuds can now provide a level of sound fidelity previously reserved for wired connections.

The Pi8 earbuds have undergone a complete redesign, moving away from the bulky design of their predecessors. The new design prioritizes comfort, making the Pi8 the most comfortable and lightweight earbuds B&W has produced. Certified for Hi-Res audio, these earbuds offer exceptional sound quality, bolstered by high-end active noise cancellation (ANC). The aptX Lossless codec supports audio resolutions up to 24-bit/96kHz, provided you pair the Pi8 with a compatible device using Snapdragon Sound Technology.

Developed by the same team behind B&W’s Px7 S2e and Px8 over-ear headphones, the Pi8 features a new industrial design and a complete overhaul of its mechanical, electronic, and acoustic engineering. B&W claims these are their most comfortable, feature-rich, and best-sounding earbuds to date, and this claim is well-supported by their performance.

Testing the Pi8 with an ASUS Zenfone, one of the few phones currently supporting aptX Lossless Codec, highlighted the impressive quality of Snapdragon Sound Technology. The sound experience was a revelation compared to the limited AAC offered by Apple devices. The Pi8’s ability to deliver detailed and spacious audio is a significant upgrade for users with compatible devices. Even without Snapdragon Sound support, future-proofing is built into these earbuds, ensuring that they remain a strong option as more devices adopt this technology.

The Pi8’s 12mm drivers utilize Carbon Cone technology, a material also found in B&W’s acclaimed Px8 headphones. These drivers, coupled with support for aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs, are complemented by a dedicated digital signal processor, digital-to-analog converter, and amplification from ADI. This combination ensures Hi-Res certified audio over Bluetooth.

Bluetooth 5.4 enables the Pi8 to support multipoint connectivity, allowing simultaneous connections to two devices. This feature is particularly useful for users who want to listen to music on one device while being able to take calls from another with just a touch of the controls on the earbuds.

In terms of build quality, the Pi8 earbuds are rated IP54 for water and dust resistance. B&W undertook extensive research into ear shapes to design an ergonomic fit that promotes passive noise cancellation. For iPhone users, the Pi8 are certified for Apple’s Made for iPhone, ensuring seamless integration with iOS devices and compatibility with the B&W Music app. Additionally, the Pi8 will soon support Google’s Fast Pair for Android users.

The Pi8 comes with touch controls for various functions, including play/pause, skipping tracks, handling calls, and toggling ANC modes. These controls are more responsive and reliable than previous generations, enhancing user experience. An infrared proximity sensor automatically pauses and resumes playback when the earbuds are removed or replaced, though this feature can be disabled if preferred.

The redesigned charging case is slimmer and more pocket-friendly, with a luxurious finish. It includes a wireless transmitter that connects to any audio source using USB-C or 3.5mm aux. This feature allows the case to transmit audio using aptX Adaptive codec at 24-bit/96kHz quality, providing high-quality wireless audio even for devices that don’t support the latest Bluetooth codecs. The case ships with USB-C and 3.5mm cables, making it versatile for various audio sources.

For calls and video conferences, the Pi8 employs advanced noise-canceling microphone technology, similar to that found in B&W’s flagship Px8 headphones. The ANC technology used in the Pi8 is a proprietary B&W algorithm that balances effective noise reduction with minimal impact on audio quality.

Battery life is robust, with the Pi8 providing up to 6.5 hours of playback on a single charge, and an additional 13.5 hours from the charging case, totaling 20 hours. This should suffice for long flights or a week of daily commutes.

In terms of sound quality, the Pi8 stands out as B&W’s best true wireless earbuds to date. The soundstage is open and detailed, delivering music with a relaxed rhythm and an analog-like presentation. The bass is powerful yet controlled, providing punch when needed without overwhelming the rest of the audio spectrum. The Pi8’s ability to maintain clarity and detail across various genres makes them a standout choice.

Verdict: The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 true wireless earbuds are a triumph of audio engineering. They offer outstanding sound quality, effective ANC, and future-proof technology with aptX Lossless and Snapdragon Sound support. Their comfort, battery life, and versatile charging case further enhance their appeal. For those seeking premium true wireless earbuds, the Pi8 ranks among the best available. Highly recommended for audiophiles and casual listeners alike.