(August 21, 2024) Bowers & Wilkins has given its personal audio line a big refresh with the launch of the Pi6 ($249) and Pi8 ($399) True Wireless Earbuds. Reportedly crafted by the same design and engineering teams responsible for its well-received Px7 S2e and Px8 headphones, both models are loaded with a level of newness that separates them from past offerings.
Physically speaking, the Pi6 and Pi8 sport premium materials and what Bowers and Wilkins calls a "high-quality, durable feel." Endowed with IP54-rated protection, they're capable of withstanding dust and limited exposure to water, and extensive research helped designers ensure a fit and in-ear feel that will accommodate nearly all owners.
The Pi6 and Pi8 benefit from comprehensive improvements across the board, from set-up to the end-user experience. With Multipoint Bluetooth pairing backed by upgraded antennae, owners will experience straightforward connectivity from audio devices to the earbuds; for example, a second device can quickly pair to either model without removing the buds from their ears. Made for iPhone (MFI) support ensures seamless integration with iOS devices and the Bowers & Wilkins Music app. Google Fast Pair (GFP) is expected to become available soon after launch.
Performance improvements include new positions for antenna and microphones within the earbuds, reducing the possibility of accidental blockage of wireless or audio signals. And, a new IR proximity sensor provides more reliable and responsive wear sensing. Both models also benefit from a comprehensive rethink of their charging cases, which have been reshaped to make them slimmer and easier to slip into a pocket. And for fans of older models, the Pi8 retains support for both wireless charging and Bowers & Wilkins' innovative Wireless Audio Retransmission (WAR) technology. First integrated into its Pi7 earbud, WAR allows users to retransmit audio to their earbuds wirelessly from connected analog and digital sources, such as in-flight entertainment systems, home computers... even the latest generation of USB-C-enabled iPhones. WAR uses aptX Adaptive at up to 24-bit/96kHz quality, delivering a valuable performance upgrade over the older Pi7 S2.
Regarding tech, the Pi6 uses an advanced Qualcomm chipset as a platform for wireless stability and reliability. The latest Bluetooth 5.4 specification ensures multipoint support for two devices, while aptX Adaptive wireless transmission allows for 24-bit/96kHz transmission. The Pi6 uses all-new 12mm bio-cellulose drive units derived from the cones used in the company's award-winning Px7 S2e over-ear headphones.
The Pi8 carries all-new 12mm drive units featuring a proprietary Carbon Cone technology – the same that's found in Bowers and Wilkins' Px8 over-ear headphones. To ensure the best possible results from this drive unit technology, Pi8 adds support for both aptX Adaptive at 24-bit/96kHz and aptX Lossless, with support from a dedicated DSP, DAC, and amplification from ADI, for a high level of accuracy. Pi8 owners can tune sound output via a user-adjustable Bowers & Wilkins five-band Advanced EQ function; the Pi6 only carries bass and treble adjustments.
Both models feature carefully positioned microphones that reject unwanted external noises during voice calls. The Pi6 is built around the same noise-rejection platform used in the outgoing Pi7 S2, while the Pi8 adopts the technology found in the flagship Px8 over-ear headphones. This is teamed with new noise cancellation, including a proprietary ANC algorithm developed by Bowers & Wilkins to deliver the best possible results in Pi8.
Owners can expect the Pi6 to deliver up to 8 hours of listening from its earbuds before charging is required; the charging case supports up to 16 hours of further use. The Pi8, with its upgraded DSP/DAC, is a bit more thirsty, offering 6.5 hours of use with an additional 13.5 hours from the Smartcase. Bowers & Wilkins says those numbers assume ANC is "on," noting that both models can be rapidly recharged, with just 15 minutes of charge providing enough energy for two more hours of use.
The Pi6 is available in Storm Grey, Cloud Grey, Forest Green, and Glacier Blue, while Pi8 is offered in Anthracite Black, Dove White, Jade Green, and Midnight Blue. The Pi8 can be purchased now by clicking here, while the Pi6 can be preordered here (expected launch is early September 2024).
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