Bowers & Wilkins has come in at the end of 2024 to redesign their classic true wireless earbuds. The Pi8 flew off the shelves at astounding speeds, and now on the market is the Pi6. As the sibling model to the Pi8, the Pi6 comes in as an excellent upgrade for Bowers & Wilkins users who don’t find it necessary to get all fancy features. It retails for $249, and today we take a look at all the sound, design, and quality details.
What Comes In The Box
- Pi6 Earbuds
- Charging Case
- XS / S / M / L ear tips
- 60 cm USB-C to USB-C charging cable
Aesthetics and Functionality
The aesthetics of the Pi6 are very similar to the Pi8. With a smooth face that shows the company name, the Pi6 has four different colors for users to choose from: storm grey, cloud grey, glacier blue, and forest green. The smaller design fits more comfortably in the ear, and with quite a few ear tip options, getting the right fit was very easy. It’s a more compact design right down to the carrying case, making it ideal for traveling and on-the-go listening. It has IP54 water resistant technology, making it ideal for people who want an earbud for the gym or workout activities.
Disappointingly, I found that the overall function of the earbuds was more difficult than anticipated. Pairing them was a bit tricky since it relied on sensors, and during the initial pair, the connection would drop in and out. It took a bit of patience, but it ended up connecting to my phone and app and no further issues were noticed later on. When working the touch controls, it took some practice to get the right pressure and sensitivity on the touch pads for the controls to work. Once that was figured out, it was smooth sailing for the rest of the testing time.
Tech Specs
- 12mm Bio-Cellulose Drivers
- Up to 8 hours for earbuds (with ANC on)
- Additional 16 hours from charging case
- 15 minute charge = 2 hours playback
- Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX™ Adaptive technology
- 3 microphones per earbud for calls and ANC
- High-performance DSP
- True 24-bit audio connection
- 2-band customizable EQ
A notable technical specification to point out here is the driver configuration. Instead of dynamic drivers, Bowers & Wilkins opted for bio-cellulose drivers, aiming to make the sound profile more clear and less distorted. It also allows the earbuds to be lightweight and more eco-friendly, made with biodegradable and renewable resources.
Listening Review
Soundstage & ANC
These earbuds certainly pack more power than they seem. For a tiny earbud, it does a great job in immersing you in your tracks with a wide soundstage. The frequencies are in your face, but not overwhelmingly so that it makes listening overly fatiguing. These earbuds are perfect for people who want to lock in with their music and let the world fade away. The soundstage is wide and wraps around the head, but the imaging is a bit more compressed in height and depth.
The active noise canceling technology is highly effective, and while listening on my own, I was completely in my own world with my music. The sound signature leans towards the low end, which is great for someone like me who enjoys a prominent low end. Combined with the bass-leaning signature, there is a lot of low frequencies that people may become overwhelmed by. For those who may want a more balanced signature, you may want to consider adjusting the tuning with the app.
Low Frequencies
The low end is the most prominent thing in the sound signature. It is deep and grounding, and the other frequencies just fall in line behind it. This range has incredible color and detail, making 808s and kick drums stand out in a mix with individualized and distinct sound. In Qveen Herby’s “MARIE ANTOINETTE”, the 808 hits are substantial and pack a punch. Melodic bass line notes were heard clearly, and they drove the rest of the track forward.
Mid-Range Frequencies
The mid-range was underwhelming, to say the least. It sounded very recessed and pushed back in the sound signature. I wasn’t used to having to listen extra close to this range to analyze it, as normally this is a range that is very focused on and highlighted in a pair of earbuds. The lack of power given to this range meant all the detail got buried underneath some high notes and deep bass. There was a lot of clarity here and detail that I would have liked to hear. Some vocals were oddly behind the instrumentals, which was an interesting way to listen, but it did make me appreciate some of the backing tracks in my favorite songs.
High Frequencies
The high end comes in with just enough air and grace to bring a gentle balance to this signature. I still think it lacked a bit of drive behind it; I could’ve gone for more brightness on some tracks to balance out the powerful lows. Still, the EQ treble adjustment fixed this issue for me quickly. The clarity and detail that came from this top end was a welcome reprieve from the intense low end, and it was like giving tracks a chance to breathe. I particularly enjoyed pop and indie vocals, like in “Christopher Robin” by Good Luck Finding Iris. The vocals are breathy and light, and it stands out in the mix with the treble of the guitar.
Summary
In conclusion, the Pi6 is a pair of earbuds that offer a lot to users. With the added features of a 2-band EQ and a forward sound signature, the Pi6 promises a personalized audio experience. Bass lovers will appreciate the driving low end, and people who value noise cancellation and comfort will love the new design. These headphones require some patience, as the tuning may need some adjustment to be perfectly aligned to your ears. I would definitely keep this around as a potential holiday purchase, as I think these are a great gift idea for some audiophiles.
The Pi6 is available for purchase at Audio46.
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