The Pi7 S2 from Bowers & Wilkins is a great pair of true wireless earbuds that is tough to beat. As much as people still love them, it was time for a new installment to take its place. Bowers & Wilkins has released a new pair of bluetooth earbuds to elevate listening experiences across the globe. The Pi8, retailing at $399, comes in as the latest pair of earbuds that aims to impress every type of listener.
What Comes In The Box
- Pi8 True Wireless Earbuds
- Extra Small / Small / Medium / Large ear tips
- 60 cm USB-C to USB-C charging cable
- 80 cm 3.5 mm jack to USB-C audio cable
Aesthetics and Functionality
Starting with the physical design, the Pi8 already proves to be a great product. While slightly smaller than the previous model, it still comes in a variety of colors that users are familiar with. They offer anthracite black, dove white, midnight blue, and jade green. I liked the metallic detailing along the edges and on the logo of the earbuds: they stand out and have a clean finish. The fit was comfortable in my ear during long testing hours, and with the different options for ear tip sizes, I was able to find the perfect fit for my ear.
Pairing the device to my phone was quick and easy. The charging case doesn’t have a button like it does on the Pi7, so pairing relies on the sensors instead. After pressing each side simultaneously, they appeared on my device and I was able to pair them. The touch controls on the side were very sensitive and picked up my tap commands easily. This made playing, pausing, and adjusting the ANC mode quick and simple. The Bluetooth connection was constant and strong throughout testing, which is great for people looking for consistent and reliable sound. During the hours of testing, I was pleased to see that the battery life held up well, and I didn’t feel the need to recharge at any point. There was no drop-off or fear of losing connection as the battery dwindled down.
Tech Specs
- 12 mm Carbon Cone Driver
- High-performance DSP with dedicated DSP and amplifier/DAC
- True 24-bit audio connection
- 5-band customisable EQ + TrueSound™ mode
- Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX™ Lossless technology
- Multipoint connectivity
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- Audio retransmission from charging case (aptX™ Adaptive)
- Wireless and USB-C charging
- Fast charging support
- Apple MFi Made for iPhone support
Listening Review
Soundstage & ANC
The soundstage on the Pi8 is fairly wide, but falls on the narrower end than most that are in this range. The listening experience was still immersive and takes you out of the ambient environment, but everything stays in front rather than wrapping around you. The imaging is very accurate, with orchestras and rock bands sounding very realistic and easy to pick apart. The noise cancelation feature was very effective, and it was noticeable when the feature was on or off. It was nice that the frequency response remained consistent across the board, ANC active or not. The frequency response had a lot of heigh and depth despite how frontal it presented itself, and it gave a lot of character to some of my favorite tracks. This is a common trend in Bowers & Wilkins products, and I most notably recognized it as a similar signature in the Px8 over-ear wireless headphones.
Low Frequencies
The low end is really powerful and the first thing you notice. The carbon cone dynamic driver is very effective in delivering a driving, full-bodied low end. As much as I love a good bass tone, even this was a little much for me. Sub frequencies are felt and heard, and on top of the ANC, I admit it was a bit overwhelming. With the Bowers & Wilkins app, I took down the gain of the lows and low mids just a tad bit, and it helped balance things out a lot better. The small adjustment didn’t compromise the low end’s sound quality; instead, it brought a better listening profile to the other ranges. Listening to indie tracks from Unknown Mortal Orchestra really gave a clear picture of the low end and how extensive it was. It was rumbly and deep without getting muddy or losing clarity of the instruments. Artists that utilize the sub-bass and 808 hits will be pleased to know that those tones come through powerfully.
Mid-Range Frequencies
Mid range has a lot of detail in the textures of different instruments. I liked the clarity and placement, especially for vocals. They were clear and right up in center, making pop, rock, folk, and indie genres all easy to listen to. I particularly enjoyed movie scores and other classical pieces through these earbuds. Not only is the sound reproduction very detailed, but it’s well balanced with all the individual timbres that come in a live orchestra. I was listening to Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, and I really loved how the dynamics of the piece came through. All the percussion, strings, and woodwinds were easily spotted and recognized while listening, and I really enjoyed branching towards other classical pieces so I could hear the large concert halls or venues they were played at.
High Frequencies
Unfortunately, the high end was the most disappointing aspect of this device. Not to say the high end didn’t have a lot of character and color, but it seemed like it didn’t get the proper power boost it needed. Compared to the driving low end, it feels weak and under appreciated. After turning down the low frequencies, the high end got to shine a bit more and a better balance was brought to my favorite tracks. The sound is not piercing or too shrill, and doesn’t cut off very suddenly when instruments ring out. It has a really crisp sound that is great in rock tracks and acoustic guitar melodies. Listening to “Algo contigo” by Rita Payés and Elisabeth Roma, I was entranced by the acoustic guitar and how detailed the reverb on her vocals was. The high end allows for all those notes to ring out and sing in the open space.
Summary
In conclusion, if you’re considering the Pi8, I would say go for it. It is a fantastic true wireless product that shows a clear upgrade from the previous model. With a powerful frequency response and a new design tailored for maximum comfort, I am sure Bowers & Wilkins users are sure to love this upgrade. People who like a strong low end are sure to enjoy these. It currently retails for $399, which may seem like a steep asking price, but I think it is well worth given the quality of the product.
The Pi8 is available for demo and purchase at Audio46.
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