Bowers & Wilkins New Pi8 & Pi6, Redesigned Wireless IEMs

[Wayde Robson]

Can true wireless in-ear monitors produce true hi-fi quality sound?

That's the conceit of Bowers & Wilkins through its years-long endeavor building high-end true wireless earbuds. B&W's former flagship the Pi7S2 , has now been replaced officially by its new Pi6 that promises similar sound quality at the brand's "entry level" earbuds that will now retail for an astonishing $250. But its the Pi8, Bowers & Wilkins new flagship, that promise to raise the sound-quality bar on true wireless IEMs. In the article below I did a quick rundown of features and predictions of where the two new units will stand among the various high-end earbuds out there.

I actually prefer the manufacturer pay less heed to the "lifestyle" features and conveniences if it means better sound quality. Noise cancelling is handy sometimes, I've always wanted my own Cone of Silence. But if ANC detracts from sound quality (it does) I'll keep it disabled for music. In my humble opinion, I don't need industry leading ANC or microphone voice-quality for phone calls through earbuds that are supposed to be for music. Maybe my dim view of "conveniences" and "lifestyle" features is only because I'm old enough to remember the early days of Bluetooth audio. Everything phone-related seems to (mostly) work now over Bluetooth and I would never purposely attempt to converse using Bluetooth earbuds. If I make a call, I'm putting the 5G waves straight into my head!

Quality audio was the goal and the Pi8 and its $399 retail price make a bold statement. I'll soon see if they live up to it, a review is coming. But so far, I estimate that they have the makings for a great sounding pair of earbuds, even if I personally tend to prefer music over a good pair of over-ear headphones like Bowers & Wilkins Px8. The Px8 is unlikely to be dethroned as my portable audio of choice by a pair of earubds. Subjective comparisons are inevitable.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 & Pi8: All-New True Wireless Earbuds!


I just got my hands on them late yesterday and haven't had a chance size the tips and test sound quality correctly, but they do have the look, feel and heft of a quality product. Included in the Pi8 box:

 

[JerryLove]

I did some critical listening to (and own one of) some of their on-ear and circumaural headsets. I haven't done so to anything in the last 4 years; but prior to that, quite a bit. I honestly didn't love their vocals. I hope they've gotten better at this.

 

[gene]

I got my samples in

 

[Bobby Bass]

I got my samples in View attachment 68965

Looking forward to your review. Don’t hurt them

 

[Wayde Robson]

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 & Pi6 Comparison Review.

Honestly, I think both Pi8 & Pi6 sound awesome with only a slight advantage to Pi8 with its carbon drivers and better chipset that allows aptX Lossless and in-app 5-band EQ. They're best wireless sound quality I've heard from an earbud, even if I prefer real circumaural headphones. I've heard a couple of surprisingly good sounding "cheaper" (but not bargain basement priced) wireless earbuds from China, I hope to have a review of a specific pair soon.

But the greatest consistent SQ advantage between B&W's premium-priced Pi8 and the TW earbuds I've been listening to that sell for just below half the price, is midrange. IMHO, Pi6 midrange sounds about the same as Pi8 to my ear-holes. If all you wanted was great SQ and didn't care about EQ and aptX Lossless, Pi6 is perfectly adequate.

I think the high-bit BT codecs like LDAC and aptX HD/Adaptive allow for great detail in cheaper TW earbuds. I'm always surprised at sound quality from Bluetooth nowadays because I lived through the early Bluetooth A2DP-era through the late 2000s that claimed "stereo sound". But they all sounded the same to me, the same tinny tonality and often spotty connectivity.

Nowadays you can actually get decent lower bass, and detailed highs on budget buds, even if some of the cheaper ones verge on a robotic sound to my ears. But the cheaper Chinese TW earbuds are liable to have tons of features in EQing options, DSPs and EQ-presets that you won't get from B&W's Music app. I'm surprised Pi8 provides a 5-band EQ, B&W's top-end Px8 headphones only have a bass & treble control in the app. But the out-of-the-box sound of Pi8 really lets the midrange come through and is actually quite pleasing listening to vocals, alto-sax, acoustic guitar, they all have a naturalistic sound to my ears that the cheap TW earbuds can't match.

But as good as they sound, I'm still not giving up my separate DAC/Amp components and modest collection of mid-to-high-end headphones.

Here's my full review:

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 & Pi6 Wireless IEM Review & Comparison

 

[Wayde Robson]

I got my samples in View attachment 68965

Gene, I don't know if I want to listen to music or hit the gym. I've been so lazy lately, I'm asking myself... "Dude, do you even lift anymore?" You've passed the Tower 8 challenge so you're doing good.