Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 and Pi8 Bring Premium Sound to Wireless Earbuds
Bowers & Wilkins has expanded its lineup of products with the introduction of two new True Wireless earbuds, the Pi6 and Pi8. These models have been developed by the same design and engineering teams responsible for the brand’s Px7 S2e and Px8 headphones, bringing the same technology and design to wireless earbuds.
Pi6
The Pi6 earbuds share much of their core platform with the flagship Pi8, offering sound quality comparable to the previous Pi7 S2 model. They are powered by a Qualcomm chipset and include Bluetooth 5.4 and multipoint support which lets users connect to two devices simultaneously. The Pi6 supports aptX Adaptive wireless transmission at 24-bit/96kHz and utilizes 12mm bio-cellulose drivers derived from the Px7 S2e headphones.
Pi8
The Pi8 is Bowers & Wilkins' flagship earbud model. These earbuds feature 12mm drivers with proprietary Carbon Cone technology, borrowed from the Px8 over-ear headphones. To optimize the performance of these drivers, the Pi8 supports both aptX Adaptive at 24-bit/96kHz and aptX Lossless. This setup is complemented by a dedicated digital signal processor (DSP), digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and amplification from Analog Devices Inc. (ADI).
Design and User Experience
Both the Pi6 and Pi8 are designed with a focus on comfort, fit, and durability, featuring IP54-rated protection. The user experience has been improved with a large capacitive touch surface on each earbud, equipped with advanced sensors for improved touch. Antennas and microphones have been strategically positioned to avoid signal blockages, while an updated IR proximity sensor ensures responsive wear detection.
The earbuds also offer connectivity features, including multipoint Bluetooth pairing, Made for iPhone (MFI) certification for seamless integration with iOS devices, and Google Fast Pair, which will be available shortly after launch. The Pi8 includes a five-band Advanced EQ function for personalized audio adjustments, while the Pi6 offers bass and treble tone controls.
Charging and Battery Life
Both models offer improved battery life over their predecessors. The Pi6 provides up to 8 hours of listening time, with an additional 16 hours available from the charging case, totaling 24 hours of use. The Pi8 offers 6.5 hours of playback from the earbuds, with the Smartcase providing an additional 13.5 hours, for a total of 20 hours. Both models support fast charging, delivering two hours of playback from just 15 minutes of charging.
The Pi8’s Smartcase also supports wireless charging and includes Wireless Audio Retransmission technology, first introduced with the Pi7. This feature allows users to retransmit audio from connected analog or digital sources, such as in-flight entertainment systems, directly to the earbuds, with support for aptX Adaptive at up to 24-bit/96kHz quality.
Call Quality and Noise Cancellation
The Pi6 incorporates the noise-rejection technology from the Pi7 S2, while the Pi8 leverages the technology found in the Px8 over-ear headphones. Bowers & Wilkins has also developed a proprietary active noise cancellation (ANC) algorithm specifically for the Pi8, designed to reduce unwanted ambient noise while maintaining audio quality.
Availability and Pricing
The Pi6 is available in Storm Grey, Cloud Grey, Forest Green, and Glacier Blue, while the Pi8 comes in Anthracite Black, Dove White, Jade Green, and Midnight Blue. The Pi8 is available starting today from the Bowers & Wilkins website and selected retailers at a price of $399. The Pi6, priced at $249, will be available in early September.
