Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review: Raising the bar for True Wireless earbuds

When Bowers & Wilkins, a brand synonymous with high-end audio, announces a new flagship product, music fans take notice. The company’s 800 Series Diamond loudspeakers are a gold standard for audio reproduction. The release of the Pi8 brings the True Wireless earbuds a little closer to that lofty reference, and offer bags of style in the process.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 design and features: A blend of elegance and technology

The Pi8 are a marked departure from their predecessor, the Pi7, featuring an all-new design and with new driver technology. Featuring sleek, rounded edges and a glossy finish, they are available in four snazzy colour options: Anthracite Black, Dove White, Jade Green, and Midnight Blue. 

The upgraded design is not only about aesthetics; it’s also about comfort and functionality. The Pi8s fit snugly in the ear, with a firm yet pliable rubber seal that offers excellent acoustic isolation and noise attenuation, estimated at around five decibels if you sit them right. This design also prevents the earbuds from becoming overly warm during prolonged use, a thoughtful consideration for comfort.

The Pi8 earbuds are a marked departure from their predecessor, the Pi7, featuring an all-new design and all new driver technology…

Bowers & Wilkins has improved the capacitive touch surface on these buds, enhancing the responsiveness for easier control over playback, noise cancellation, and calls. The inclusion of three additional ear tip sizes ensures everyone can find their perfect fit.

Under the hood, the Bowers & Wilkins buds powered by Qualcomm’s Bluetooth 5.4 wireless transmission platform, supporting aptX Adaptive up to 24-bit/96kHz and aptX Lossless. There’s also support for Multipoint connectivity, allowing you to pair two devices simultaneously, useful for those of us who juggle multiple devices.

Frequent flyers should note that the Pi8’s charging case is not just slim and pocketable. It can retransmit audio up to 24-bit/96kHz from USB and 3.5mm connected sources, converting analogue signals to digital and transmitting them via aptX Adaptive Low Latency.

This means you can use the Pi8 with in-flight entertainment systems, using the supplied USB-C to 3.5mm cable, as well as laptops, the iPhone 15 and other digital devices, without compromising audio quality.

However, there are a few areas where I think the Pi8 could still improve. The absence of support for Spatial Audio Dolby Atmos streams, is noteworthy, especially when competitors are starting to include this feature.

Additionally, while the battery life is adequate – offering 6.5 hours of playtime with ANC on, and an extra 13.5 hours from the case – it’s not breaking new ground. Bowers & Wilkins tell me that this battery stamina is largely dictated by the requirement to offer state of the art audio. A fair point… 

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 sonic performance: A new benchmark 

When it comes to audio performance, the Pi8 sparkle. All-new 12mm drive units, featuring Carbon Cone technology borrowed from Bowers & Wilkins’ Px8 over-ear headphones, deliver exceptional transparency at high frequencies; treble remains clear and crisp without any harshness.

The midrange is equally impressive, with a fullness that brings vocals and instruments to life.  ‘Drive’ by R.E.M, confirm the Pi8’s ability to render detailed, soundscapes, where every note and nuance is presented with ravishing clarity. I found vocals realistic and nuanced, the tonality of jangly guitars uncanny.

Bass performance is another area where the Pi8 surprise. The earbuds deliver deep, controlled bass that is both impactful and well-defined, without becoming overbearing. Tracks like ‘Conflict of Interest’, by British rapper Ghetts (24-bit 44.1kHz, Tidal) showcase an ability to plunge deep with precision, providing a visceral listening experience that lesser wireless earbuds can’t match. 

The Pi8 can also handle complex, layered tracks. Floating Points ‘Movement 6’, with its lazy saxophone and romantic strings (16-bit 441.kHz, Tidal), is intimate and mesmeric. The spatial integrity of the sound is remarkable.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on the Pi8 is effective but not class-leading. While it does a good job of reducing ambient noise, particularly in less demanding environments, it doesn’t quite reach the level of some competitors when it comes to blocking out the din of a noisy commute.

However, the ANC is carefully tuned not to interfere with the listening experience, preserving the sonic integrity of the music. It’s a compromise worth making.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 verdict: A new standard  

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 True Wireless earbuds are a triumph in many respects. They set a high benchmark for sound quality in this category, delivering a level of musicality, detail, and bass performance that few can match. The design is elegant and comfortable, and they boast a feature set that caters to both casual listeners and audiophiles alike.

While the ANC performance and battery life are good rather than exceptional, these are minor quibbles in the face of the Pi8’s overall performance.

If you’re looking for true wireless earbuds that bring you closer to your music and offer an immersive, high-fidelity listening experience, the Pi8 should be at the top of your list.  

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 True Wireless earbuds are priced at £349 ($399 / €399) and available from Amazon here.